Press

Third Coast Digest wrote an article about Fasten's transformation and Sparrow's birth. Read it here.

Grand Opening for Sparrow Collective

Big Changes

Dearest Fasten Patrons, (not very bad news, I promise!)


The Fasten Co-op was established way back in 2003 as an idea. That idea flourished into a storefront three-and-a-half years ago. And Fasten has been the go-to place for Milwaukee designers who want to establish and promote their work, and fashion connoisseurs who want to support locally handmade clothing.

It's been such a pleasure to do business in Bayview with all of you awesome people, designers and customers alike. But at the end of April, Fasten will no longer be a store.

Never fear! There will still be a place for Milwaukee to buy handmade awesomeness! A collective under new management has sprouted in our place! Sparrow Collective is the new store bringing you much of the same exact things you loved at Fasten, PLUS unique handmade items from out-of-state designers, and new types of items like pottery and home goods.

Fasten will live on and continue to promote and support local designers, artists, and musicians, only now without a permanent brick-and-mortar home. Please stay in touch with us! Our blog will be updated more than ever with style updates, artists interviews, and info on events happening all over the city. And keep your eyes open for some awesome runway, art, and music events that we will be producing later this year!

Thank you all for the support and friendship over the years!


XOXO -Fasten

April Gallery Night

Join us Friday April 17th for gallery night at Fasten

6-9pm Opening Reception of

"Bad Winter" by Christopher Macdonald

Bad Winter is a collection of black and white drawing and comics depicting my surroundings and emotions of this past season. Graphite drawings of streets and alleys covered in ice recall the grainyness of the source images; quick, blurry digital snapshots of walking and freezing. Late night hours of sketching, and thinking, and waiting. The work reflects the months of lack of direction, isolation, frustration, cigarettes and wasted time. The four page comic is about apathy and indifference among the twentysomthing generation in the midst of historic change. Together these works some up the greyness of a tough winter in troubled economic times, where sometimes we need to force happy times upon us to get through, and quietly wait for it to get warm.

Christopher MacDonald is an artist and illustrator living and working in Wisconsin. He recently received his BFA from Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. His work ranges from fine art drawings and paintings to comics to apparel design and everywhere in between. For more information please visit http://www.chrismacstudio.com/.

March's Featured Artist- Owl Eyes

Owl Eyes has been gracing Fasten with it's screenprinted tees since early 2008, but only recently has this line expanded to beautiful handmade clothing. Rachel Muza, the genius behind Owl Eyes tells her story below.

What brought on the switch from screen printing to making dresses?

With screenprinting, I could only print the same design so many times before I got bored with it. There's much more freedom with sewing. Each thing I make is different, I can put a lot more of myself into it.

How did you learn how to sew?

I basically taught myself how to sew. I started by looking at other pieces of clothing and figuring out how they were made. I ruined a lot of awesome vintage fabric that way, but I learned a lot. I also watched my mom sew all my life, so I pretty much knew the basics just from being observant, and kind of worked my way from the there.

Your whole family seems to be creative, it doesn't seem like you had a choice in designing. Are they your muse?

I'm the youngest of 6 children, and we each have our own artistic thing. I could go down the list, but there is so many of us!!! My mom, who also designs for Fasten, deserves a lot of credit. She helped me out whenever I had question or could not figure something out. She has also been pretty awesome at sharing her fabric collection.

Initially, the fabric itself inspires me. Sometimes I know what to make out of a piece of cloth as soon as I see it. Sometimes I will look at old patterns for ideas and try to re-create vintage styles with a modern touch.

What is the best music to sew to?

Vinyl!!! I have been sewing to Bob Dylan and Kimya Dawsom records. Also, I discovered that Elton John used to make really really good music, back in his early days. No one believe me, but it's true!!

What's next for Owl Eyes?

I'm working on my summer collection right now. I'll probably bring it all into Fasten around April or early May.

DIY Classes Spring Schedule

Basic Sewing
Saturday April 11th, 12-3pm
Wednesday May 13th, 6-9pm
Fee: $20
One day workshop for all those with an interest in garment making or repairing with little or no experience. Students will learn how to use their machines and with guided practice become comfortable with basic seams and hems. We will also discuss the basics of garment construction. Materials: Your machine and it’s manual. All other supplies provided.


Intermediate Sewing
Wednesday, April 15th, 6-9pm
Saturday May 16th, 12-3pm
Fee: $20
One day workshop. A follow up for students who have taken the basic sewing class, or for those with some experience. Students bring their own machines, and should already know how to use them well. The focus in this class is garment construction. Types of fabrics, notions, and tools are discussed. Design techniques such as draping, swiping, and patern-making are also discussed. Students will complete one garment. Materials: Sewing machine, 2 yards of stretch-knit fabric.


DIY Screen-Printing
Thursday, March 19th, 6-9pm
Thursday April 16th, 6-9pm
Thursday May 21st, 6-9pm
Fee: $25
One day workshop. Learn the best tools and techniques for in-home screen-printing. Through demonstrations explore stretching screens, image prep, drawing and photo emulsion, exposing screens and the printing process. Supplies: all provided.


GENERAL WORKSHOP INFORMATION:

-All workshops will be held at Fasten in Bay View

-Students are expected to bring their own machines, however, there is a house machine available for a $5 usage fee.

-Students receive a 40% discount on supplies purchased at Fasten during the month of class.

-Students must sign up at least one week before the class date.
-Call 414-747-9229 to pay by credit card, Or mail a check with your name, address, phone number, and the class title to Fasten Collective 2224 S Kinnickinnic Ave. Milwaukee WI 53207

Craft Night

Wednesday March 4th 6-9pm

Come learn how to print by hand with Stephanie. We will be making easy stencils out of butcher paper and printing on fabric. Feel free to bring design ideas or anything you would like to print on. Materials will be provided.

Bring a friend and snacks if you can. Or come alone, we're a friendly bunch! We meet to craft together every 1st Wednesday of the month.

Featured Designer

This month, we featured Amy Medtlie of AM Jewelry. She's brand new to Fasten, and has with us a great line of earrings that we're excited to carry this Valentine's Day season!

Read our interview with her below.

How was AM Jewelry born?
I guess I described above how I started crafting. The line itself is just my initials. Not super creative. I did have a really awesome/cheesy wordplay slogan based off of the a.m. in the label that I used to put on my display cards. It was "Start your day off fashionably."

Describe your line.
I create pieces that I would want to wear. Which means my color choices are often limited to the colors I like! This also means that my pieces are of high quality materials, very simple and functional but also fun and a little funky. I make earrings that I hope can be very timeless.

What materials do you use most often? Where do you get your beads?
I use sterling silver for all my earring wires and headpins. If my beads aren't Czech glass then they're typically semi-precious stones, like jade or turquoise, or natural materials, like bone, wood, or horn. I get my beads from bead stores and fairs and old necklaces that I find and take apart. My favorite bead store that I have found is in Minneapolis. I have traveled to many states since I discovered that one and still haven't found one I like better.

Have there been any experiences in your life that have inspired you as a designer?
My mom is an artist and my sister is very artistic. Growing up watching them create art made me want to find an avenue to express myself creatively.

Craft Night

Wednesday Feb 4th 6-9pm

At Fasten!

Just in time for Valentine's day, come make an everlasting bouquet with artist Becky Tesch and a rainbow of duct-tape colors!

Bring a friend, bring a snack. All supplies will be provided.

Upcoming Classes

To sign up, please call 414-747-9229
Or mail a check for the class fee along with your name, phone #, title and date of class.
Please sign up at least 1 week in advance!


Basic Sewing
Tuesday, Feb 17th, 6-9pm
Fee: $20
One day workshop for all those with an interest in garment making or repairing with little or no experience. Students will learn how to use their machines and with guided practice become comfortable with basic seams and hems. We will also discuss the basics of garment construction. Materials: Your machine and it’s manual. All other supplies provided.


Intermediate Sewing
Tuesday, Feb 24th, 6-9pm
Fee: $20
One day workshop. A follow up for students who have taken the basic sewing class, or for those with some experience. Students bring their own machines, and should already know how to use them well. The focus in this class is garment construction. Types of fabrics, notions, and tools are discussed. Design techniques such as draping, swiping, and patern-making are also discussed. Students will complete one garment. Materials: Sewing machine, 2 yards of stretch-knit fabric.


DIY Screen-Printing
Thursday, March 19th, 6-9pm
Fee: $25
One day workshop. Learn the best tools and techniques for in-home screen-printing. Through demonstrations explore stretching screens, image prep, drawing and photo emulsion, exposing screens and the printing process. Supplies: all provided.

Gallery Night

Fasten Designer Collective and Gallery Presents:

Work by Becky Tesch and Erika Wolf

January 14th - February 28th

Opening Reception on Gallery Night; Friday, January 16th 6-9pm

Fasten is pleased to present the works of two Milwaukee artists. Becky Tesch will be showing a collection entitled "Garbage and Glue" including her newest found-object sculptures and collages. Erika Wolf will be showing collected works of oil on canvas paintings.

Becky Tesch is a Milwaukee native who graduated from UWM with a degree in graphic design. Beside her graphic design work, everything she makes with her hands is out of recycled materials. Under her label MyMishMosh, Becky creates jewelry, accessories, and home goods out of bike parts, building materials, and found ephemera. In her collection of art, discarded and seemingly useless materials are infused with new life and beauty by her simple sweet juxtaposition of color and texture.

Erika Wolf graduated from the Cleaveland Institute of Art with a BFA. The subjects in her paintings are common objects arranged into narratives and infused with simple grace. In the words of the artist; "My paintings are a validation of my personal experience, a manifestation of my search for meaning, and a representation of the beauty inherent within the imperfections of my own human involvement."

January Classes

Intermediate Sewing
Wednesday January 14th, 6-9pm
Fee: $20
One day workshop. A follow up for students who have taken the basic sewing class, or for those with some experience. Students bring their own machines, and should already know how to use them well. The focus in this class is garment construction. Types of fabrics, notions, and tools are discussed. Design techniques such as draping, swiping, and pattern-making are also discussed. Students will complete one garment. Materials: Sewing machine, 2 yards of stretch-knit fabric.



T-Shirt Reclamation
Thursday Jan 22nd 6-9pm
Fee: $20
Rescue old boxy t-shirts from conformity. Learn patterns and draping, cutting and pinning techniques, the use of origami in fashion, and visual design elements for transforming all of your old tees into fitted and flattering articles. Take home tutorials and one ready-to-sew garment. Supplies: Two or three old T-shirts. One box of safety pins. Your own sewing machine (if available.)



GENERAL WORKSHOP INFORMATION
-All workshops will be held at Fasten in Bay View
-Students are expected to bring their own machines, however, there is a house machine available for a $5 usage fee.
-Students receive a 40% discount on supplies purchased at Fasten during the month of class.
-Students must sign up at least one week before the class date.
-Call 414-747-9229 to pay by credit card,
Or mail a check with your name, address, phone number, and the class title to
Fasten Collective 2224 S Kinnickinnic Ave. Milwaukee WI 53207