Embroidery Raises the Roof on July 8th- Be There!

Something new is happening this July in the textile department. We're taking it to the roof. Our popular embroidery class, on
Wednesday nights and Sunday nights is going to be held on the new rooftop deck this summer. The umbrellas are installed, the sunset awaits. Click the days or call 773.398.5760 to register. Bring your own white wine spritzer.

Allison Rose at the Antique Market

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Allison Rose's work will be featured at the Chicago Antique Market this weekend. If you're wilting in this heat we've been having you'll be happy to know that this event is indoors, in AIR CONDITIONING! The details are as follows:

WHERE:
Chicago Antique Market-->
Indie Designers Market-->
Plumbers Hall, 1340 West Washington St. Chicago, IL
Proceed to BLUE THIMBLE's table

WHEN:
This Weekend
Saturday, May 23rd
10am to 5pm
and Sunday, May 24th
10am to 4pm

Still space in lots of great summer classes!

For the last week we've been asking the question "what are you MAKING this summer? If you've been taking classes for a while in the textile department, I would encourage you to take your work in a new direction this summer. If you've taken first time screen-printing, why not sign up for Printing With Thickened Dyes? If you've taken a lot of screenprinting classes, how about signing up for First Time Sewing (project featured above include reusable grocery sacks and cool hats), if you've got tons of prints and want to find a way to embellish them, sign up for Embroidery (which, by the way is being held on the roof this summer, more about that later this week.....)

We hope to see you around the studios this summer- come be a part of the community of makers.

Lillstreet Textile Thrift Map

At long last, here you have the Lillstreet Textile collective thrift map. Many of you contributed your favorite thrift stores to be included on this map. Please click on the picture to see it bigger. It's divided into five areas- not at all to scale but with major streets noted for ease of navigation. I also included the number for the CTA if you want to plan ahead. If you don't have a basket on your bike, it's time to get one so that you can haul your thrift scores back to your house and then on to the studios. Good luck and may you have great thrift Karma this summer!

Thanks to everyone who contributed!

Sales locker coming soon to the Textile Department!

We are pleased to announce that coming July 6th, you will be able purchase supplies for screen-printing and dyeing directly from our studios. We were able to get great prices on lots of fun supplies so that we'll be able to pass on great prices to our students. The "store" locker includes non-toxic textile screen-printing inks, synthrapol (textile detergent), safety gloves and goggles, as well as a few different fabrics and ready to dye or print items including: hankies, bandanas, tote bags, silk scarves, and flour sack dishtowels. We're really excited- and we're hoping that it will make it easy for all of you to print fun things for yourselves and your friends. At the risk of sounding like a broken record- what are you making this summer?

We love fake lace!

A lot of people that are printing on fabric up in the textile studios are excited about burning screens with found crocheted lace these days. I think you can see why. It's beautiful! We're printing with ink, dye, bleach, and more. For a sneak peak, come by the open house this weekend to see what's hanging around on the lines! There's still plenty of room in the First Time Screenprinting on Fabric, Printing on T-shirts, and Printing with Thickened Dye classes (Click on the box to the right to register or call 773-769-4226) Summer classes start July 6th. What are you making this summer?

First Time Screenprinting-Summer T-Shirts!

Even as Chicago refuses to give way to summer around here, people are printing cool summer t-shirts up in the Textiles studios. I met Tina Kotrych yesterday when she was printing a collection of t-shirts to celebrate her favorite beer- Bell's Two Hearted. I was lucky enough to arrange a trade for one of my bicycle t-shirts. Hooray for the spirit of equal exchange and for a summer of really cool t-shirts!

Natural Dye Workshop Photos

I just received these photos from Pamela Feldman from the natural dye workshop. It was a huge hit with a full class. It was also the first time we've offered a one week intensive style workshop. It seems like something folks are interested in. Let us know what you think!

New Flags Coming Soon!

New flags, designed by Rachel Walker are coming soon. Stay tuned to see these beauties installed up on the roof later this week. Better yet, stop by and take a look!

Open Studio Open!

June open studio started yesterday, and I thought I'd give you all at home the hours.
Monday- Thursday 2-6, Saturday 6-10, and Sunday 10-2.
Hope to see you upstairs this month- there's lots going on, including a new set of flags being finished this week by Rachel Walker. Stay tuned for a sneak preview, they should get raised late this week.

Summer Wish List

We're gearing up for summer around the studios this month. The short June classes are now in full swing and I'm working on getting our supply cabinets full again. I'm pleased to say that starting in July we'll be selling inks and cloth and other printing/dyeing/sewing supplies at the studios in the hopes of making everyone's lives easier. We're also working on restocking our supply of studio basics and we'd love to have your help. If you're cleaning out and have an extra of any of the following, please consider bringing it by to contribute to the textile studios. Thanks!

Hair Dryers
Small Desktop Fans
Rubber Spatulas
Measuring Cups and Spoons
Blenders
Yogurt Cups/ Take out containers with tight fitting lids
Old Sheets
Fabric Yardage (unfortunately, we can not accept scraps smaller than one yard)
Scissors
X-Acto Knives

Student Spotlight: Shannon Thompson

I wanted to highlight the work of Shannon Thompson, who has taken lots of classes in the Textiles department. Shannon's work often makes use of meticulously cut paper stencils and hand carved blocks. This milkweed design is printed with thickened dye on cotton. It's one of my all time favorites.

Still space in Embroidery and Print Classes!

For all you last minute people out there, we still have openings in both

First Time Screenprinting on Fabric (which starts today) and Embroidery (Sunday night). If you've taken a lot of print classes and would like a way to resolve your errors, embroidery might be just the ticket. It's a great way to embellish blemishes and turn them into purposeful marks that make your work look a lot better than you ever thought possible. Hope to see you soon!

Faculty Spotlight- Camille Canales

Camille Canales, who teaches Screenprinting on Fabric and Embroidery, will be featured in the Humboldt Park Art Fair.  Camille's beautiful prints (including my personal favorite -made using a q-tip screen) and embroidered works will be for sale along with lots of other great Chicago artists (including our own Allison Rose!).  If you've never been to Humboldt Park, you're in for a treat- it's one of Chicago's real gems.  The fair takes place on Saturday, June 13th at the Humboldt Park boat house from 10am-9pm, and admission is free.  You can make a day of it and pack a picnic/ hammock/kite  to enjoy the open fields.  For more information, visit www.graffitizone.org