Diana Beard

As a wearables artist, I have not met any type of material that can be sewn that I don't like. I have sewn with Dr. Pepper labels and lids, made purses from vintage hats and beaded tassels from tea bags; but my one of my favorite fabrics to work with is silk/rayon velvet.

Last year, while working on my Bernina Fashion Show design for 2007, I fell in love with Fiber Etch applied on silk/rayon velvet. I learned through Iris Leeís book, Fabric Etching, that polyester thread and machine embroidery can be used to create interesting effects on the velvet. Since that time, I have used fiber reactive dyes and Alter Ego dyes to create my own color combinations for the velvets, and have designed a set of machine embroidery designs that beautifully combine the properties of Fiber Etch, silk/rayon velvet and polyester threads with optimal effects.

An article featuring my work is in the Sept/Oct 2008 issue of Designs in Machine Embroidery, and I sell the embroidery designs and accompanying instructions on this technique on my website, www.dianacouture.com I am such a fan of this technique that I think everyone should try it! I learned a lot in my first attempts, and I believe the experience and knowledge I have put into these designs will enable others to easily have success with this technique as well.

In addition to selling my designs through my website and Etsy (and recommending Dharma for supplies), I teach courses as an adjunct instructor in the fashion design departments at two universities and have a design in the Bernina Fashion Show for 2008, coming up on October 30th in Houston, Texas. As a teacher at heart, I not only want to sell my own finished works of art, but also provide designs and information that will assist others in exploring their artistic abilities as well.