In pursuit
of simplicity:: Is simple something which is easy, quick, suitable for
beginners, something that can be done without experience or much thought. Or is
it something which has been crafted to appear simple but which hides a labour
of love to achieve something refined and elegant, and is only simple because it
has extrapolated all extraneous detail in favour of that which speaks clearly
to define the object?
I often
speak about the simple – simple ideas, notions, concepts, details, patterns.
And I refer to both meanings above. Yet I know that to achieve the apparently
simple, one must go through a process of refinement to get to that point. And
therein lies the beauty of simplistic being for me. Something which has been
honed, detailed, perfected till it becomes the essence of what it is supposed
to be or do. I know that achieving this is often hard, and involved. So I know
that when I strike upon the simple in something I do, it is not without
thought, intent, and love.
I’ve said
before that I do not consider myself a pattern maker. The thought of altering
or creating a pattern, particularly a sewing pattern scares me completely. I
can do simple modifications, but other than that, I feel lost. Doesn’t mean I
can’t, or wont do it, just that I get very anxious about doing it. However: In
pursuit of creating and furthering my skills, I opted to go the whole hog and
essentially create my own pattern, based on a diagram in a book. I love
Pattern Magic. I can sit entranced by the clever seaming and cutting and
manipulating that goes on in that book for hours. Di struck out and made this
amazing skirt from the book earlier in the year, and I took in everything she
said about how hard, detailed, and exact it was. I’ve been wanting to try one
of the other ideas in there, that of a dress with a gathered hole in the side.
But for a baby. And with a pocket insert. All the patterns in this book appear
simple – but actually involve a load of thinking, drafting, prototyping and
refining. So I sat and studied the diagram, enlarged the women’s version to
better understand how it is created, grabbed a pattern for a shift dress for a
baby, manipulated that pattern, drafted out new sections, manipulated some
more, and then made a prototype. Indeed – sometimes I make prototypes. I may
not swatch wool samples, but I do sometimes make a study of what I’m trying to
do.
And then I
manipulated the pattern some more, ready for the final cut and sew.
Simple.
Indeed. Distilling something down to it's most basic is very rarely something that just happens. I think it makes those times when simplicity serendipitously occurs all the more precious. Looking forward to seeing that final cut & sew.
Posted by: Sarah | December 21, 2006 at 03:39 AM
beautifully said. i remember the "simple" projects i made as a beginning knitter and the way i would approach those same projects now... simplicity takes on a different sense altogther. as you put it-- a refinement-- that is not without a lot of thought and effort into the subtle and/or invisible bits of the project. it's something i think about every time i see a wonderful effective and beautiful design, whether in a kitchen implement or a chair or a quilt... always a goal.
Posted by: amisha | December 21, 2006 at 04:52 AM
you describe the joy and the work of simplicity perfectly!
happy holidays alison!
xo
Posted by: lisa s | December 21, 2006 at 05:25 AM
I know exactly where you're coming from- I'm so excited you've plunged in and taken the challenge- looks lovely so far.. can't wait to see how it turns out!
Posted by: di | December 21, 2006 at 07:42 AM
I love how you talk about simplicity, with the inherent understanding that simple isn't always easy. Not a starting point per se, but a goal to be reached. But drafting that dress sounds anything but! i'm sure the results will be gorgeous, will you post a picture of Pia wearing it?
Posted by: Laura | December 21, 2006 at 11:45 AM
I know exactly. This is something I always strive for in all my work. In architecture it is especially hard. Simple means nothing to hide imperfections. Simple, clean lines in building always means double the cost as well. And in the USA, it ALWAYS means a contractor scratching his head.
I can't wait to see the dress, it sounds simply beautiful.
Posted by: martha | December 21, 2006 at 01:03 PM
i love the patience and exactness you are taking in this approach. i am truly working on enjoying the process of making right now. it is hard with the holidays and the desire to mass-produce things but to truly refine to the point of simplicity is wonderful. great work.
Posted by: christina | December 21, 2006 at 06:56 PM