Putting the “art” in a craft business

When most people think about sewing (whether it is custom stage drapes or handmade quilts or apparel), they generally think of it as a craft rather than an art.  And I think that is generally a valid way to categorize sewn goods.  But you would be surprised at how much “art” actually comes to play in the creation of what is known in the entertainment industry as “soft goods.”

When a major music tour is being planned, much more is involved than simply the music itself (the set list, the rehearsals, etc.).  Concerts today are  more than musicians on a stage, singing and playing.  Sound, lighting, special effects, pyrotechnics, and set design all work together to give the audience an experience for the ears and the eyes.  And soft goods are often a major part of that.

The role of the Production Designer is to design a set (which may include both soft goods and hardscape) that provides a stunning visual backdrop to the music.  Once the design is created (the “art”), the Production Designer brings in all of the crafts (sewing, stage builders, etc.) and charges them to make his artistic vision a reality.

That is where we come in.  The Production Designer presents us with his vision (it may be in the form of an artistic drawing, a technical drawing, or even a verbal sketch), and it is up to us to figure out how to best achieve that vision through stage curtains, painted or digital backdrops, and even mixed media pieces.  The Production Designer relies on us to recommend fabrics and construction methods that will carry his design from paper (or just his head) to the stage.

At times, it is relatively straightforward – perhaps an Austrian Drape or a series of Swags.  Other times, however, it takes skill and ingenuity (and, dare I say, art?) to figure out the best way to manipulate fabrics (and other materials) to achieve the look. 

One example that springs to mind is the project we did for Mariah Carey last fall.  The designer knew the look he was after, but it was up to us to find a way to achieve that look.  Gwen Winter, the Senior Sales Rep on the project, knew that traditional stage fabric, such as velour, was out of the question.  The solution?  Clear vinyl, hundreds of silk flowers, and sheer net, along with the experience and skill of our manufacturing staff, turned the designer’s vision into reality.

Another example is the Maxwell 2009 project, in which Sew What? and Rent What? joined forces to help the production designer achieve his vision through the use of fabric (Black Mirror Sequins and ”tattered” White Voile) and other media (mirror shards), with Rent What? bringing more drapery to the table (including Silver Satin Austrian Drapes and Swags and an LED Star Drop).

These are just two examples (out of many), but I think they are great illustrations of how closely connected “craft” is with “art.”  We may be a craft, but part of that craft is taking the “art” and making it a reality.  And I am so proud of the way our team accomplishes that reality.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!

iL CiRCo Drapes

I don’t know if you are familiar with iL CiRCo, but if you aren’t, you should definitely check it out.  Based in San Diego but appearing throughout the world, iL CiRCo is a troupe of singers, dancers, acrobats, and a variety of performers that put on amazing shows!

We were pleased to be asked to make custom stage drapes for the troupe earlier this year, and were really excited recently to receive a short performance video from the client showing our drapery “in action” in Panama.  Unfortunately, I am unable to attach the video to this post, but I was able to pull out a still photo from it.

Isn’t the drapery gorgeous?  I really think it fits the mood of the show – ethereal, whimsical, and just a little fantastical.  The drapery is made from FR Crushed Glimmerene in Magenta.  Glimmerene is a gorgeous fabric with a beautiful shimmery, almost iridescent quality. 

I love the way the fabric drape hangs in a serious of swags and openings, with the height of the drape ranging from 34′ high in the center down to 22′ high on either side.  And I am even more happy to say that the client, Imagination Entertainment, was so pleased that they have recently ordered a second identical drape!

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!

Rent What’s Specialty Drapery Series

I love the way that Rent What has organized their specialty drapery into different series – “Silver Satin”, “Rockin’ Red”, “Ivory Scene”, “Industrial Textures”, and “Timeless & Traditional.”  And the way that the series are presented on their website is terrific, too.  Next to each series on the page is a list of the various drapery elements available in the series (such as Austrians and Swags), several photos of the drapes, and a link to a pdf “Profile” with more information, photos, and inspiration.

It makes it so much easier for the client – to be able to choose from a variety of custom stage curtains in various fabrics that coordinate together a achieve one cohesive look.  Rather than having to start from scratch, all the customer has to do is review the information and “Profile” file for each series and then select which series best fits the design vision for the show or event. 

From there, in consultation with the folks at Rent What?, the designer can discuss the different drapery options before choosing the specific elements to rent.

Each series includes beautiful custom stage drapes and theatrical backdrops, but the one that I find the most interesting and innovative is the “Industrial Textures” series.  It’s a little more “rock-n-roll,” a little more funky.  It includes elements such as Metal Mesh drapes, Camo Net backdrops, and Texturelite (a gorgeous crushed fabric).

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!

Working with “Glee” Live

We got another opportunity recently to work in conjunction with our sister company, Rent What?, and this was a particuarly fun project – the three-week, four city touring show of the hit Fox television series “Glee.”  This is a bit of a novelty for us – we work with music tours all the time, but most aren’t associated with a hit TV show!

This tour had a wealth of industry powerhitters working on the design and production of the show, including Butch Allen, Ray Woodbury and Peter Morse, so we knew from the start that it would be a great project to work on. 

The tour used a variety of custom stage curtains and set pieces to set the mood and highlight the performers.  One scene was highlighted by the use of the “Moulin Rouge” drape, part of Rent What’s “Timeless and Traditional” series (those of you who follow this blog know that I have posted on this drape on several occasions – it is amazing how versatile it is).

Sew What? got into the act as well.  In addition to a couple of 30′ h x 60′ w Double Kabukis (one in White Voile and the other in Black Poly Silk), Sew What? provided some fun custom stage set elements, including several “rock chic” tuck and roll “vintage amp covers” in a red glitter vinyl.

Unfortunately, the show is over – it opened in Phoenix on May 13th and finished up at Radio City Music Hall in New York City at the end of May – but based on the reviews, it sounds like it was a great show.  Let’s hope for another (and longer) tour in the future – we’d love to work on it again!

Want to read more about this project?  Click here.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!

Drapes for The Cranberries

Recently, our sister company, Rent What? Inc. provided some beautiful soft goods for the UK tour of Irish rock band The Cranberries, and after seeing some photos of the set, I just had to post on it.

Through a combination of swags, legs, and borders from their Silver Satin series, complemented by a series of gorgeous Starlight drapes (similar to the “twinkle” drape featured in my earlier post), Rent What? captured just what the client was looking for in their European tour.   A photo taken at the Barcelona show in March is even featured on the Wikipedia entry for the band!

I know that there are other companies that rent stage curtains, and perhaps I am biased, but I am so impressed with the way that Rent What? has thought “outside the box” in designing a rental inventory that includes such beautiful, unique, and highly customizable drapery.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!

Carrie Underwood at the CMA awards

Did you happen to catch the Country Music Awards last night?  If you didn’t, you missed a beautiful performance by Carrie Underwood (Entertainer of the Year). 

I am proud to say that our sister company, Rent What? Inc., provided the beautiful White Voile swags and drapes (made by Sew What? Inc., naturally) that provided the gorgeous backdrop for Carrie’s performance.  The combination of the soft floaty fabric and the terrific lighting techniques really sets the mood.

If you missed it (or just want to see it again), check out this video of Carrie singing “Temporary Home” at the 2010 CMA Awards.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!

James Taylor’s Metal Mesh on Frames

A client sent us some gorgeous photos recently of a project we worked on last month for James Taylor’s 2010 “Troubadour Reunion” World Tour with Carole King, and I wanted to share them with you.  Last month, we made a number of Texture Panels, utilizing Metal Mesh backed by Black 16oz Commando Cloth, to be attached to specialty frames. 

Photo Courtesy Ralph Perkins / Bryan Leitch

We have made a number of different pieces from Metal Mesh in the past, and the way that it lights so beautifully makes it a favorite of mine, but the addition of the frames has allowed a really interesting and unique presentation. 

Photo Courtesy Ralph Perkins / Bryan Leitch

I love the way the frames are used to add another layer of dimension to the set, and that the overhead pieces make the set more intimate and yet still dramatic and eye-catching.  Just gorgeous!

Want to see more?  Check out this video that includes some great close-up shots of the metal mesh pieces (not to mention James Taylor’s beautiful music!) at a show in Australia last week.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!

Focus On: Side Finishes

Periodically, I have been posting on the mechanics of stage drapes – fullness, top finishes and, most recently, bottom finishes, where I promised to post on side finishes next.

Initially, one might wonder, “What is there to talk about in regards to side finishes?  It’s just a hem, isn’t it?”  Well, yes, in most cases, the side finish is a hem.  But not always.  And even when it is a hem, there are different styles and sizes of hems, depending on the drapery style, the fabric used, and how the drape will be used.

Selvage

In some cases, the fabric itself has a clean edge (selvage).  As a result, for some drapes utilizing those fabrics, no side hem at all is required.  This is often the case for simple one-width drapery panels (such as Exhibit Booth drapes or special event drapes).  Encore Velour is one fabric that, when sewn into single-width exhibit drapery, is generally made with a selvage side finish.  Voile drapes are also made with a selvage side finish, especially when sewn as single-width panels for special event usage.  However, selvage sides are virtually never used for traditional stage drapes and are rarely used for multi-width panels (i.e. drapes that are unioned together to create a drape that is wider than the width of the original fabric).

Standard Double-Turned Hem

The standard side hem for most custom stage curtains and backdrops is a 2-2.  This means that 2″ of fabric is folded in on the side, and then another 2″ is folded over and then the hem is sewn.  This creates a clean finished edge to the hem with no chance of fraying.  In some cases, the hem may be slightly different, such as 3-3 or 1-1, but the standard is 2-2.

Half-Width Turnback

Another option for a side finish is a half-width turnback.  This involves folding the side edge back 1″, folding it again so that approximately half the width of the fabric is used for the side hem, and then sewing the turnback in place.  For example, if the fabric is 54″ wide, then 27″ of the fabric would be used for the side hem.  This side finish is typically used for the onstage edge of bi-parting traveller curtains (where the curtains meet in the middle).  If the onstage edge of the curtain should flip open slightly while the curtains are being opened or closed (thereby exposing the back of the curtain), the audience will see the “good” side of the fabric rather than the back of the fabric.  This side finish is also more durable due to the double thickness of fabric - the center point where bi-parting curtains meet is often subjected to more wear and tear, especially if the curtain is a walk-along (hand-operated rather than rope operated). 

Often a traveller curtain will have different side finishes on the two sides - the onstage edge will have a half-width turnback and the offstage edge will have a standard 2-2 hem.  However, in some cases, a half-width edge is designated for both sides of  bi-parting traveller curtains.  The benefit to this option is that, if the onstage edges of the two traveller curtains becomes frayed, the curtains can be reversed – the stage right curtain becomes the stage left curtain, and vice versa.  Suddenly, the frayed edges are on the offstage edges (and are therefore less noticeable), with the more pristine edges now on the onstage edges (more visible to the audience in the center of the stage). 

Twelve Inch Turnback

A 12″ turnback serves the same purpose as the half-width turnback – but is sometimes selected due to budgetary concerns, as this option saves a little money as less fabric is needed (just about 1/4 of a width of fabric vs 1/2 a width).

Baby Hem

A very small hem (usually 1/2″ – 1/2″) is generally used for very delicate fabrics, especially sheers, when it is important that the hem be clean and finished but not noticeable.  This side finish is often used for special event drapery that may be seen close-up (as opposed to traditional stage drapery that is generally seen from a distance).

Marrow

Marrowing is a technique in which the actual edge of the fabric is sewn to provide a finished edge and prevent fraying, without actually folding back the fabric.  This finish is often used for table linens.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!

Sheers and Silvers for Celtic Woman

Last spring, I was lucky enough to see Celtic Woman live at the Orange County (Calif) Performing Arts Center, and it was really a lovely show. Well, Celtic Woman is back in the US with a new tour, “Songs from the Heart,” and Sew What? was proud to be asked by production manager Scotty Ross to provide custom stage curtains to the tour.

The focus was on an ethereal look that could be transformed through lighting.  We started with the unique drum risers, which were comprised of three layers.  The top layer was White Voile, digitally printed with the client’s artwork (modeled after the “Songs from the Heart ” album cover art).  In the middle was White Iridescent Sheer, gathered at 200% fullness.  The bottom layer was Black 16oz Commando Cloth to ensure that the drum riser behind was masked from view.

The same White Iridescent Sheer fabric was used for upstage sheers, complemented by a swagged border and midstage swagged legs in Silver Velvet, along with legs in a White-Silver Sparkle Velvet. 

As I’ve mentioned before, silver  or grey fabric (along with white fabric) is ideal for colored lighting.  Check out how the drapery looked under a purple / blue lighting scheme:

And then how it looked under a red / gold lighting scheme:

It’s hard to believe that these are the same drapes – and that under natural light, they are actually white and silver!

I think the drapes turned out just gorgeous, and evoke just the right romantic, ethereal mood for the beautiful music of Celtic Woman.  Want to see (and hear) more?  Check out this video of the tour at Radio City Music Hall.  And if you’ve never seen them live, try to get out to see them this spring – they really do put on a great show.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!

Silver Scrim for Yusuf Islam

This past October, we were selected by Marc Brickman, Set and Lighting Designer for the “Guess I’ll Take My Time” tour of Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens) to make an interesting piece for the tour, which took place in the UK in late Fall 2009. 

Finding the right material was crucial, and so we sourced a  number of different scrims, nets, and similar fabrics in shades of grey, silver and black, and sent samples out to the tour for lighting tests. 

Ultimately, the material chosen was a metallic silver fabric similar to Sharkstooth Scrim.  From that material, we created a dramatic 35′ h x 57′ w piece, to be used by the tour as a projection surface.  This material was chosen for the combination of its reflective qualities and its tourability.

We were really pleased to be mentioned by Dietrich Juengling, the tour’s video content designer, in regards to this project, in a piece in Total Production International.  It is so rewarding to not only make a drape that we are ourselves proud of, but to also be recognized by the client in such a way!

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!