Meet Nancy Wilder | Clothing and textile wearable art

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nancy Wilder and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nancy, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My mother would have to drag me to school, kicking and screaming, starting in kindergarten.

This went on for years, although the dynamics changed – eventually I was too big to throw over her shoulders, so she bribed me with things like art supplies and classes, a sewing machine and many trips to the fabric store.

That got me sewing my own clothes and dyeing and painting them as well, and happily going to school in some very colorful outfits!

Eventually the combination of almost compulsive creativity and the desire to set my own schedule led me to start my venture in fashion and textile design. The clothes I make now are not nearly as outrageous, but always colorful, different and easy to wear. Lately I’ve added a digital element to my textile designs – having my artwork printed on fabric is like seeing my name in lights! It’s been going so well that I’ve been digitizing art for painters and other fabric artists, and having clothing made for them.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The clothing I design, dye, sew, and print is all about feeling good – when a person looks amazing in what they are wearing because they feel comfortable, pretty and stylish, well that is success to me.

I started early on by sewing clothes for my dolls and altering and making my own, then eventually went to school to learn the proper methods of patternmaking and design. (thank goodness, those early outfits were pretty rustic!)

For a few years after college I held various jobs at different clothing companies, and started to see what was possible for one person to do, and what was not…the hardest part was going to the job every day when I had all these ideas I wanted to try…I spent many evenings after work doing my own patternmaking and sewing.  Eventually creativity won out and I went out on my own. It began with cutting and sewing commercial fabrics, then evolved into making wearable art. I dyed and painted on silk and bamboo, experimenting with shibori and reverse dyeing. Silk is an awesome fabric to work with, it takes dyes extremely well, and looks and feels amazing on; bamboo is also incredible, and a sustainable fiber. A lot of my pieces were so beautiful I didn’t want to part with them; I started photographing my artwork then had it digitally printed onto fabric. The possibilities are virtually unlimited with digital design! I was having a great time, and now offer that service to artists who want to see their work on clothing, scarves, pillows and bags.

The most important lesson I have learned along the way is to stay true to what I love and not go along with the latest trend, and also not be afraid to go with the flow.

The wearable art I make is original but timeless, and will last for years in both quality and design.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in gorgeous Carlsbad, California where there are many cool places to see and things to do. One of my favorites and a source of inspiration, is Terramar Beach at low tide. The reef is exposed with many tidepools to wander, full of colorful sea anemones, starfish and seaweed that looks like it could be from another planet. Another is the Agua Hedionda Lagoon and surrounding trails. The views of the ocean and mountains are spectacular, and wildlife abounds. Carlsbad Village offers an eclectic mix of restaurants and shopping, and a weekly farmers market. My absolute favorite thing to do is surfing near my home in Carlsbad; the beach is stunning and the water is clear.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Julie Jennings, for showing me the way to digitizing my artwork, and having fun while doing it!

Website: www.nancywilder.com

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