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At Oak Grove Alpacas we process and spin our own alpaca's fiber. One of a kind items are created from our animals. We presently have many items available for sale. Please contact Michelle at (517) 546-4287 for information. If you would like a custom item, please contact us for details. We are also happy to answer any alpaca fiber processing/spinning questions you may have.
To follow are a few of my latest projects. You can click on any of the images to see a larger version. |
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Annelise's Alpaca/Silk 1st Communion Dress
My Daughter, Annelise is growing up fast! She is pictured modeling many of the outfits in the Children's Clothing section of our web site. She is now 8 years old and has just celebrated her first Communion. Of course I had to find a way to incorporate Alpaca fiber into the event! Inspired by a lace knit top in Vogue Knitting Magazine I began a design of my own. The lace knit overlay and veil are knit of an 80% alpaca and 20% silk lace weight yarn from Alpaca With A Twist. I began knitting from the waist down as if I was knitting a circular shawl. After the skirt was finished I fit the top to the satin under dress. I think it may have been a small miracle that all of the pieces of the dress lined up and actually fit my daughter!
To see a larger view of the photos just click on any of the photos. 
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Angie's Flapper Wedding Gown with Hand Woven Alpaca
I was approached by Angie , of Michigan Suri Alpacas to weave something special for her wedding last year. The project escalated into making an entire dress! Angie planned to have a 1920's themed wedding and was interested in creating a flapper dress without a drop waist. Between the two of us we probably visited every web site about the 1920's and looked at many of the books published on this topic. After much planning we created a very special wedding dress.
Angie and her husband Dennis own a herd of suri alpacas. Angie's parents, Lee & Jim Wolney own a herd of huacaya alpacas (akaalpacas.com). With all of these alpacas running around we just had to add alpaca to the dress somewhere. I decided to weave the top of the dress using lace weight alpaca and tencel (to add a little shine). Angie chose an airy chiffon for the skirt and a beautiful beaded tulle fabric to make a sheer overlay. The results were beautiful!
I must admit I was very nervous making a wedding dress for someone! 
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The Tecumseh Art Bra Auction
This project started out as a bustier for the Tecumseh Art Bra Auction to benefit breast cancer. It turned out more like a top but the organizers were still very pleased with the results.
The fabric was hand woven in an overshot pattern. White yarn that is 80% alpaca and 20% silk was used for the warp and tabby weave. Pink rayon was used for the pattern weave. The result is a soft fabric that shines! The sewing of this item was just about as difficult as the weaving. The top is lined, underlined and has boning in the lining. I think it is one of my favorite handwoven items! Click on one of the photos to see larger versions of them.
The auction was held on Thursday, October 26 2006 at The Lilac Tree Warehouse in Tecumseh, Michigan.
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My Dress For The Gala
Close Up Of My Dress For The Gala
Another Close Up
Black & White Poncho
In The Art Show
Black & White Shawl
In The Art Show |
The Black & White Gala
On December 30, 2005 we participated in an art show to benefit the Howell Opera House. The theme of the art show is 'Stepping Out in Black & White'. I exhibited a fur poncho and a shawl, both hand woven in black and white alpaca.
Along with the art show the opera house also hosted a gala ball. I wove and sewed a dress and shawl for the ball in 70% alpaca and 30% silk.
I am honored to report the dress was also exhibited in the 2006 Convergence Fashion Show!
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Hot Off The Loom!
Alpaca/Llama Top and Skirt
This outfit was woven in an overshot pattern of 50% llama and 50% alpaca. The coordinating fabric on the skirt is a fine wool.
This outfit will be worn in the Celebrity Sales Llama Futurity Auction on April 3rd in Oklahoma City.
To see more pictures of this outfit click on the photo at the left. |
