& co.

In the 1800s, in Portland, my family owned an iron business called Corey & Co. Now I use that name for my garment-making,etc. I seem to have become the caretaker of the family photos, of which there are scads. They pepper the walls of the shop and keep me company while I cut and stitch.They are my "& co."

scraps

The scraps and leavings of the day form an unwitting assemblage.

Harriet

Harriet is the other shop-dog. She had been banned for shrill and excessive barking. She now is the reluctant wearer of a citranella-spray collar and is a shop-dog again! Welcome back, Harriet.

Amsterdam

A woman was carrying this bag in the shop and I went ga-ga over it. She bought it in Amsterdam. It reminds me of a quiver...and,as a matter of fact, a leather quiver will be coming my way when leather craftsman Glen Veervaert delivers some bags -soon, I hope.

khaki

I am working in khaki as summer heads toward fall.

Home

From the blistering sidewalks of New York to the cool sand of Portland's East End beach in the space of a day.                                                    

                                                     

          

New York

'Have been in New York for a few days, hunting and gathering for the shop, always hoping  to be surprised (left the shop in good hands). The fabric hunt was for wools,knits and anything luscious...I could easily have bought a thousand yards. 

goodbye

This is a painting of mine which will now reside on Peak's Island, an island off the Portland shore. It was a favorite of mine, painted from a sketch done at a life- drawing session. The model was stretching in an adjacent room during a break.

Felt

I really admire people who have the patience to make felt. It can be so luxurious and an end in itself. I do not do this. I purchase a commercially made felt (wool and rayon blend) and wash and dry it to "full" it. That is when my creativity kicks in- the assemblage of felt shapes into a garment. It is almost like clay slab-building...cut, attatch, trim into a wearable sculpture.

new goods

I am excited about some new goods coming my way. This July in the shop I had the pleasure of meeting Linda Fig and viewing her great leather pieces. She will be sending some to COREY&CO. any minute now. 'Cannot wait. I am guessing this is Linda as a tree branch!

day off

'Taking a day off.' Plan to take the mailboat out to the islands and take the dogs to the beach. No sewing today.

circle skirt

A few months ago I bought some old patterns at a church rummage sale. This 1950s circle skirt is the best I have ever worked with. I have sewn it in seersucker, gingham check, jersey, linen- and they all flew out. Next comes flannel, knit, wool....

morning after a successful Artwalk event

Artwalk

Tomorrow evening is Portland's August First Friday Artwalk. Usually, I clear my studio/shop to feature a local artist's work. Tomorrow evening that artist will be me. Since moving to Portland I have done lots of garment design, some sculpture and little painting. I plan to set up "atelier style", meaning a few easels and several stacks to paw through. I am hoping to jump-start myself back into painter mode....and maybe sell a few pieces.

wool

Now that it is finally summer weather in Portland, it's time to cut wool.

Artwalk

The first Friday of each month Portland holds an Artwalk event. The galleries and shops host the work of local artists, of which Portland has many. Last month I cleared the shop to feature the work of Ronnie Wilson and her "Wild Thing" series. I created a group of garments in the spirit of the vibrant and sensual works and Ronnie and I welcomed an enthusiastic crowd of art-partiers.

pattern blocks

Its time to start cutting for fall/winter. I have made basic pattern blocks over time, which serve for garment starting-points. From there, it's add a collar,change a sleeve or neckline - all the details which make a piece interesting to work on and to look at.