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Janet
Armstrong
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Janet Armstrong is an accomplished needle woman. Whether she is
sewing or knitting her work is exceptional. Her attention to detail
results in unexpected design surprises. She has a clear intention
in her work. Janet cares about the earth. She is thoughtful in her
use of materials. She works extensively with recycled fabrics which
gives her creations a unique quality as well as integrity.
Whether she is teaching in Canada, England or Japan Janet gets rave
reviews as a |
teacher. She demonstrates the value of excellence in craftsmanship
that leads to product excellence. She is well organized and personable.
She instills a sense of confidence in her students.
I have known Janet since 1998. However, she became a true friend
as we worked together on Inside the Dress.
I appreciate her clarity and commitment to her work as well as her
sense of style. I think a woman with purple hair always merits some
serious attention! I hope you will enjoy getting to know my friend
Janet Armstrong.
- Mary
Holdgrafer.
Janet
Armstrong - Artist statement:
Everyday I immerse myself in fibre, from knitting socks and intricate
sweaters to piecing and stitching elaborate wall quilts. In between
I plan and teach workshops and do alterations and custom sewing
for dressmaking clients. Dressmaking is how I got my start in this
fibre odyssey - I have been sewing and knitting most of my clothes
since my mid-teens. About 15 years ago I ventured into the world
of art-to-wear and looked to quilting and fine couturier techniques
to add a little pizzazz to my clothing. I still consider myself
a garment maker at heart but have expanded my horizons considerably
by using unusual materials such as neckties and free motion machine
quilting and embroidery. To be happy in life one must have a passion.
I am lucky to have the skills and resources to explore my fibre
passion to my heart's content.
J A N E T A R M S T R O N G
2 0 0 5
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Calm
on the Surface - January 2005
Click on
the image to enlarge
Mixed fibres, machine embroidered cutwork,
machine pieced.
This haori - a Japanese coat or jacket
similar in shape to a kimono - is my answer to what's "Inside
the Dress", and was exhibited at the McMullen Gallery in Edmonton
May - July 2005. While I was developing my response to this
theme, the caption from a cartoon given to me by a friend kept
reverberating: "Be like a duck…Calm on the surface, paddle like
hell underneath." My friend had said "Janet, this reminds me
of you."
Click on
the image to enlarge
'Calm on the Surface' has multiple layers (to represent
the many layers of a personality) in blue - a calm colour -
with gently swirling motifs (machine embroidered cutwork) on
the exterior. Open the haori and see the fiery and exuberant
interior made from some of the Asian silks in my stash. "Inside
the Dress" was a wonderful experience; I discovered how valuable
the journalling process is and I also came to appreciate that
deadlines will always be important in helping to narrow my focus!
Tree
of Life - April 2005
Click on
the image to enlarge
Size: 2 metres square
Vintage neckties and kimono fabrics, machine pieced and quilted.
The Brother Company of Japan asked me to make a 2 meter
square quilt out of neckties to exhibit in their booth at the
May 2005 World Quilt Carnival in Nagoya. Always one to accept
an opportunity, I started planning a quilt that would fit with
their theme of environmental sustainability. I have been working
with neckties for a long time and this is by far the largest
quilt I've made using a technique I feel I've invented - bias
strip piecing. (Of course I realise there are probably many
other stitchers who have also stumbled upon this technique of
forming gentle curves by taking advantage of the bias).
Click on
the image to enlarge this detail
The stylised silhouette of a tree against a vivid winter
sunset represents my concern that we're cutting trees at a higher
rate than they're being replaced. Old fabrics (neckties and
kimono) were deliberately chosen for this piece to emphasise
the importance of re-using materials. This quilt is travelling
with the World Quilt and Textile show in the U.S. from August
to October 2005. See www.worldquilt.com
for more information.
To
Wrap Myself in a Sunset - May 2004
Click on
the image to enlarge
Mixed fibres, machine pieced, collaged
and embroidered.
A winter sunset can be dramatic particularly at the end
of a very cold day. I love to pause at the window and drink
in the beauty of the moment, wishing for a magic carpet ride
through such an evening sky. This is as close as I'll get to
fulfilling that wish.
Click on
the image to enlarge this detail on the back of the vest
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