Buff McAllister               Fabric Art  and  Jewelry

Buff McAllister writes "I come from an artistic family. I have sewed for as long as I can remember, first for dolls and then for myself. I graduated from college with a B.S. in Textiles and Clothing and a minor in Art. Since then, I have gone on to become a lawyer, but my first love is still textiles.

For many years I have made handwoven scarves, rag rugs and vests. I also make vests by collaging commercial fabrics, which are pieced, appliquéd, machine-quilted, and embellished. For many years I designed the projects for a children's first sewing book, Sewing with Felt, which was published by Boyds Mills Press in September 2003.

For the last several years, I have taken my fabric collage work to a greater scale, with big and bold wallhangings. I cut and layer and machine-quilt all kinds of fabrics, from delicate chiffons to sturdy corduroys and everything in between.

 
"Sunrise"  

"No man is an island

(maybe a peninsula)"
   
  "The Ring"  
 
"Fire"   "Ice"
   
  Woven Scarves  
 
Hand Woven Vest   Pieced Vest
   
  Prayer Flag  
 
Quilted Patterns   "Hanging Circles"
   
  Beaded Necklace  
 

Yarns and fabrics offer infinite possibilities for artistic expression -- the colors, designs and textures, the sensuous feel of textiles. I revel in working directly with the fabric, juxtaposing bold colors and textures, and embellishing with buttons, beads, found objects, and anything else that catches my eye.

Sometimes my work is strictly for visual pleasure. Other times I try to express a message: gaze in awe at life's everyday wonders; beauty is at the core of the universe -- let us expand out heart and our vision to encompass it.