A MYSTERY TRIP TO CELEBRATE 47 YEARS OF WEDDED BLISS

  

Silk earned the Hiawatha right-a-way during the 1920's. All photos by Jim Fitch.

  This interpretive sign on the Hiawatha Bike Trail, former Milwaukee Railroad train route, was one of the highlights of our 47th anniversary adventure.  I so enjoyed reading that the people in that time period felt that silk was so fragile that when it arrived stateside, the railroad gave it preferential treatment.  No doubt about it, fiber has made the world go round!


     Let me tell you more ....This was my year to plan Jim and my anniversary surprise journey.   What could be more fitting than wandering on the wonderful biking trails in the Bitterroot Mountains near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho?


     Traveling in our Prius, named Priscilla, with bikes secured to a new rack, we drove to Coeur d"Alene  with a short stop to explore Ritzville.  It's a small town in wheat country with considerable charm and some western themed sculptures on the main streets.  I was excited to find the home of a weaver contact, Linda Kulick.

Sculpture on a Ritzville Main Street

     At day's end we reached out Coeur d'Alene (CdA) lodging at a small inn called Japanese House and Spa on Sherman Avenue, centrally located and near the freeway.  After checking in we hopped on our bikes and rode around town for an overview of the area and its multitude of bike trails.  Such a friendly and beautiful town situated on the shores of the beautiful Lake Coeur d'Alene.

Lake Coeur d'Alene is a beauty.

   The Hiawatha Trail was our first journey.  Located atop the Bitterroot Peaks of the Idaho/Montana border, it is a 14 mile trail through 9 cavernous train tunnels and across 7 skyhigh trestles. The St Paul Tunnel was an incredible 1.7 miles long.   En route we ventured past sparkling mountain creeks, inspiring vistas, and remains of the enormous 1910 Burn.  Along the trail were interpretive signs telling the history of the railroad from its beginning in the early 1900's until it went broke in 1977.    The sign shown above was just one of many historical insights.


      Even though I suffered moments of claustrophobia in the 1.7 mile tunnel, I loved traveling on the  former bed of my father's employer, the Milwaukee Railroad.   There were many memories of our family Hiawatha train trips that we made from Yakima to Chicago during the 1950's and 60's.

The St. Paul Tunnel, almost 2 miles long.

     After finishing and returning to the trail head, we drove to Wallace, Idaho, a successful silver mining town.  Jim was most curious to visit this place where his uncle had worked in the mines 100 years ago.   The silver wealth seems to have left its mark here as evidenced by its extremely attractive vintage buildings in excellent condition.  By chance we met some other Hiawatha Trail bikers at the main street bar and shared a dinner side-walk dinner.  What a fun way to celebrate the Hiawatha Trail journey!

Wallace, Idaho, Silver City.

     The next day we enjoyed the meadowlands of the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, which begins in Plummer, Idaho and continues for 72 miles to near the Montana border.   Meadows and marshlands, many lakes, thousands of birds, deer, horses filled the sites along our 18 miles journey from Harrison to the Blackrock Trailhead. What a joy we had along this nonmotorized paved trail which was absolutely flat.  Stopping in the funky town of Harrison afterwards was a great way to talk with some of the locals.

Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes.

     In spite of some rain, we enjoyed our anniversary week with good books, yoga, drives in neighboring areas, and visiting some of the many local restaurants.  Returning to Yakima, we visited Cousin Jim Flynn and family in Spokane.   So sweet to see the family again.     Good-bye for now.


     Much appreciation is extended to photographer and life partner...Jim.........


     A great book to read about the first exploration in this area is David Thompson, Northwest Explorer.  Sources of the River: Tracking David Thompson Across Western North America

Wonderful countryside!

The Guatemalan Zig Zag Coat

                              GUATEMALA ZIGZAG COAT
                                           A designing process

My Guatemalan Weaving Inspiration

     A new adventure has begun.  And, I am going crazy launching my endeavor called The Zig Zag Coat.....in fact I get dizzy just trying to get started.  The inspirational fabric is from a beautiful back-strap weaving from the Mayan village of San Antonio Aguascalientes.  It is located in the highlands of Guatemala, an hour from the lovely colonial town of Antigua. The torn and worn huipil (blouse) pieces  ( 20 inches in length and 14 inches wide) incorporate a multitude of brilliant colors and a variety of designs.


       Notice the strong zigzag section pictured below.  It is definitely my favorite strip of the more than seven different designs elements incorporated into this lovely huipil.  I would so like to know about the woman who spent those many hours and days creating such a piece of beauty.  The weaving is so tight that her shoulders must have gotten tired pounding the yarn so tightly with the heddle.   I hope she felt great joy from her work.

A Front Piece of a Guatemalan Huipil (blouse)

     Out with the drawing pad in order to sketch the possibilities of manipulating the vibrant colorful fabric into a wearable garment.  Using ethnic textile remnants is often a challenge due to the irregularity of patterns and shapes of the handwork, thickness of some pieces, and my desire to maintain the integrity of the artists work.

     I  have decided that a very basic coat would provide the best backdrop to show off the striking elements of the woven piece.  Lois Ericson's pattern The Wedge will form the basic structure for my garment because of its very classic lines which allow great manipulation of fabric.

     The paper pattern pieces are cut.  Now I begin drawing and cutting smaller paper design segments for the two front pieces of the coat.  Suddenly I realize that my ingenious paper plan does not translate well with  the reality of the fabric.  What do I do now?

      At this point I decide to search through all my boxes of ethnic fabrics and embellishments and dream of designs that could create the look I'm seeking. Do I know what I am seeking?  Yes, a dramatic way to show off the rich zigzag pattern and then add subtle support embellishments.  I have decided to focus on the variety of designs within the huipil weaving as the major motif instead of using San Blas Island molas, Pakistani mirror work, Chinese embroidery etc.....that you can see below.   

Part of The Stash.

Possible Embellishment Items.

     Black is definitely the background color.  I want to combine a variety of black fabrics to create a textured background look for the featured zigzag strips.  Now we are launched.  The dramatic zigzag woven strips for the front pieces are in place as are the accompanying  black textured fabrics and one orange.  Embellishing the strips of design with orange theme color threads brings life to the design.

The Best Background Choice.

     I have just come upon myAfghan beaded circles that will provide a touch more of drama for the front.  Imagine that I have found these wonderful beaded circles in the markets of Pakistan, Jordan, and in the Chatachack Market of Bangkok.  Formerly, they were all part of  wonderful full-skirted Afghan dresses.

Afghani Beaded Circle

Afghan Beaded Circles.  They Might Be Perfect

     Adding some curved lines which connect with the linear look adds a touch of warmth and rhythm.  I'm beginning to like what I see.   But, of course, get a pocket on the coat....for credit cards and mad money.  So the fronts are almost done......

The Fronts are Taking Shape.

  

Another View.

     The back piece will feature a diamond shaped section of 6 strips of the huipil enclosed with a bias border strip.   Two Japanese Kumihimo ties will hang from the bottom corner of section.  The rest of the back piece will be formed by more strips of black fabrics stitched together in three different sections.


The key to the beauty of the back lines is the strength and continuity of the angled lines. After aligning the three back sections with the embellished cording, it will be such fun finishing and applying the Guatemalan huipil piece to the center back creating a diamond design. The last design element will be the addition of the Japanese kumuhino fiber design strips to the bottom of the diamond.

The Back Takes Shape.

 Backside of the Woven Huipil.  So Tightly Woven.

From Back Embellishment to a Handbag!

    The back is now the greatest change.  The entire inspiration for the coat was to show off the wonderful woven huipil piece seen above.  It just didn't fit on the back piece  --- it was too big and heavy.  The photos below show the changes made to the back.

Redesigned Back

Detail of Back

Front Views

      The sleeves are as I originally envisioned them....and add strength to the entire piece.

Sleeves Join the Coat

Preparing the Sleeves

      The brilliant lining works well with the fabrics and provides good sized pockets.

Lining

       Two small strips of the beautiful woven fabric remain.....how to use them?   A hat it will be.   Since I like the fit and feel of the Akha ethnic group of Southeast Asia hat style, that is what I will try to create.    Materials used to construct hat include:  Guatemala huipil woven strips, Turkish beads with bobbles, Yemeni silver pieces, Thai yarn bobbles for the crown, stash black fabrics, and my design process  What fun to make!

Akha Style Hat

Another View

The embellishment shown below from Sinai has been added to the coat side openings.

Sinai Tassels for Coat

  Today, July19, 2011 the Guatamala Zig Zag coat is complete except for the label!

     I feel a slight let-down having finished this project.   All that is left of the wonderful San Antonio Aguas Caliente weaving is shown here.  And all of these pieces are torn and ragged.

Remaining Fragments of Guatemalan Huipil

       This garment kept my mind so active that I feel slightly empty.....oh well,  there's always another creation awaiting.

     Hope you enjoyed the Zig Zag experience....  I hope the wonderful weaver from San Antonio Aguas Caliente would be proud to see her weaving in the coat..  

               Looking forward to our next encounter.


     For more information on Guatemalan weaving see some of the following selections:


       Guatemalan Backstrap Weaving


           Chichicastenango;: A Guatemalan village