Combing, untangling, separating, winding. The natural cotton feels quite amazing through your fingers during this stage...
I will be heading to Penland in less than a month and because I do not travel very often I do not have a proper suitcase. Today, a sweet valentines gift from sweetheart. I snapped these photos of it very quickly this morning and did a quick bit of research on this beautiful Wilt Case. So far here is what I have dug up:
The Wilt Company, named after it's founder Charles T. Wilt, made steamer
and bridal trunks from the late 1800's until the early 1980's. The main
shop was located on Michigan Avenue in Chicago and as I am gathering the company was passed through the family from generation to generation. Charles Wilt apparently died in 1900. According the one testimonial, Wilt cases were preferred by Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt.
The monograms on Wilt luggage were burned into the case and set in gold leaf. There is very little information of the Wilt company on the internet and P.J.W. is intriguing to me. Could the 'W' stand for Wilt?
* Finished weaving some new scarves this week for the kickstarter gifts. Images will be posted later this week.
I learned about Oxford Clothes yesterday. The last manufacturer of men's suits in the U.S.A that still tailors by hand, and located here in Chicago. I always thought men's suits had to be made by hand. I have tried my hand at tailoring a man's suit before, and it is extremely process oriented and a bit out of my skill set. When I heard about Oxford I was happy to hear that my city was the home of a company still making garments by hand using timeless traditions. Brings to mind the work Alabama Chanin is doing for women's (couture) day wear.
In 210 to celebrate ten years of designer Natalie Chanin's groundbreaking couture project Alabama Chanin—a micro-enterprise that uses organic and recycled materials (and local talent) to produce limited-edition, hand-stitched creations—cinematographer Wyatt Troll traveled to the foothills of the Appalachians to capture her universe on film. (Also great song choice, The Liars Feat. Devendra Banhart.)
Later this year I will be launching HERRON, my first collection of hand woven and dyed textiles for the home & body. Pronounced "Hair-in" like the bird but spelled differently. Website, branding and all that fun stuff will be announced late spring/early summer 2012. For now here is a rendition of our beautiful logo, designed by the handsome and talented Mike Domzalski.
