Fashion Alchemist
Piecing together fabrics of the past for today’ s fashion
BY TONI HOPPER
Alchemist: Someone who transforms something for the better. Antique textiles, Victorian art, fabric found in grandma’ s attic. All are elements that inspire local seamstress Deborah Kirkpatrick. Using vintage crochet doilies, worn table runners, lace, and even bits of old quilts, she pairs pieces with bib overalls, jean jackets, flannel tops, even dresses. Her process is a creative one with many layers. As she works on a piece of clothing, words and sayings are stamped on pieces of neutral fabrics and sewn on randomly.
Kirkpatrick didn’ t just decide one day to start creating these interesting pants, dresses, tops and jackets. Her story began when her paternal great-grandmother sat her in front of an old shuttle sewing machine to teach her how to sew. She was only 5 years old but the craft of sewing became a lifetime passion. Throughout the years, her creativity has evolved.
She was a young girl living in Randlette, Oklahoma, until her parents moved the family to California. Fast forward several decades, including living in Houston for a while, before returning to Oklahoma. During those years she worked in the