BIOGRAPHY
Kayla Kennington has been creating one-of-a-kind silk clothing and art-to-wear showpieces for galleries, individual clients and shows for over 35 years. She jumped into the sewing world in 2000 as an author, educator, small pattern company, and world class art-to-wear designer.
Winning the “Crème de la Crème” Award in the Bernina Fashion Show in 2001 with the “Butterfly Coat”, and again in 2002 with the “Fire Blossom Phoenix” she received the Bernina Hall of Fame Award in 2003. Kayla won another International award at the Fashion Fantasia competition in Australia, November, 2004. Kayla then created two more Bernina showpieces (but not for judging) in 2003 and 2004, and then was a judge at the 2005 Bernina Fashion Show. Kayla created “Fantasia Fleur du Soleil”, a fanciful Cirque du Soleil-like showpiece for the 2006 Bernina Fashion Show and created the “Omega M17-Queen of the Heavens” gown for the 2007 show, (again, Kayla did not participate in the judged portion of the competition).
A National Speaker and Educator, Kayla spends part of her time traveling, giving workshops, retreats, trunk shows, fashion shows, and inspirational slide presentations.
She also writes for national sewing magazines; Kayla Kennington is a contributing author for Threads Magazine, Designs in Machine Embroidery, Belle Armoire, and Fiberarts magazine. Kayla has also has been featured on DIY and Oregon Art Beat, and in various books. Kayla had a Master Class article in Threads May 2007 describing her process of creating an Art-to-Wear Showpiece.
Modular Design or Couture Artwear is Kayla’s small pattern company, translating her (more subtle) couture garment designs into a pattern collection which sells worldwide. These patterns include Kayla’s signature/unique seaming styles, and an illustration for nearly every step, addressing the abilities of both beginner and advanced sewers. Kayla’s patterns have no facings, no zippers, and no buttonholes, and lots of creative potential.
Her previous career as an integrated circuit layout design specialist in the high tech industry (Kayla’s “day-job” until 1985), has contributed much to her ability to engineer complex works of art-to-wear as well as translate her designs into patterns and clear instructions.
Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Kayla returned to college and studied fashion Design in 1985 and achieved three scholarships, divisional honors and 1st place state-wide in a design competition. She has been doing what she loves, full-time, ever since.
PUBLICATIONS
SPIN Magazine, Silk Painters International, feature, January 2015
“Artwear Update”, Newsletter October 2013
Statesman Journal, featured article, Tu-Tu Tuesday, August 12, 2012
Our Town, feature article, front page, Silverton Oregon, November 2011
Threads Magazine, Master Class “Mini-Shibori”, Issue #153, Dec. 2010
Times Colonist, Victoria BC, Canada, Feature “Designer Creates Wearable Art”, March 11, 2011
Stitches Magazine, feature article, “The Show Stopper”, December 2009
Through The Needle, Bernina Fashion Show Garment, Winter 2007
Designs in Machine Embroidery, “Feathery Embroidery” ,June 2007
Threads Magazine,Master Class “Develop Your Personal Style”, May 2007
Through The Needle, Bernina Fashion Show Garment, Winter 2006
Belle Armoire, Feature Artist, April 2005
Through The Needle, feature, May 2005
Sulky Machine Embroidery Book, feature, 2004
Threads Magazine,” Designer Challenge”, April/May 2005
Threads Magazine, “In Design” back cover feature ” Happy Flowers Regalia Girl”, Feb. 2005
Threads Magazine, “Simple, Sophisticated, and Designed by You”, Feb. 2005
Designs in Machine Embroidery, cover, feature "Tessellated Embroidery", Feb. 2004
Fiberarts Design Book 7, “Fire Blossom Phoenix” showpiece
Fiberarts Magazine, “Copyrights, Trademarks, and Workshop Ethics” feature Dec.2004
“Fashion and Imagination”, designer show book, Nov.2003
Professional Association of Custom Clothiers, National Newsletter, feature November 2003
Threads Magazine, " Hand Embellished Machine Embroidery", September, 2003
Designs in Machine Embroidery Cover, "Reversible Embroidery", March, 2003
Threads Magazine, " Embroidered to Suit", Nov. 2002
“Fashion and Imagination”, designer show book, Nov.2002 Designs
in Machine Embroidery "Embroidery on Chiffon", May,2002
Threads Magazine, " Mini Quilts and Color Groups", June 2002
“Fashion and Imagination”, designer show book, Nov.2001
Threads Magazine, "Seams as an Element of design", Dec 2001
Threads Magazine, "Abstract Fabric Collage", Dec2000
San Jose Mercury News, feature “Style” Museum of Art show, March 15, 1999
San Jose Mercury News, feature on Quilt made with Kayla fabrics November 1997
Contemporary Doll Magazine, 3 page “feature article” January 1994
Sebastopol Times, Feature as “Art Trails” participant
Sunset Magazine, mention re: “Art Trails” 1993
Sonoma Style Magazine, Cover Story, January 1992
San Jose Mercury News, Feature May 25th 1988
Santa Cruz Sentinel, feature, 1986
AWARDS
First Place, All Silks, Fashion Fantasia International, Australia, Nov. 2004Bernina
Fashion Show Hall of Fame, 2003
First Place, art-to-wear "Crème de la Crème" Award , Bernina Fashion Show International 2002
First Place, art-to-wear "Crème de la Crème" Award , Bernina Fashion ShowInternational 2001
Second Place, San Jose Museum of Art, "Headdress Ball" 1989First Place (Statewide),
"Creative use of Textiles", Fashion Symposium, San Francisco 1986
"Design Student of the Year", West Valley College 1986 "Divisional Honors"
West Valley College, 1986 "Associated Student Body Scholarship", West Valley College 1986
SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS
Judge, Bernina Fashion Show , Houston, TX, October 2005
Endorsements for Bernina International Sewing Machine Co, 2007
Judge, hobbs Fashion Show, Paducah, KY, April 2007
Mentor for Passion for Fashion Competition, Novi MI, Sept 2007
Promotional materials for Bernina BSR ad campaign, stitched “free lady”, July 2005
Sample garments for serger ads for the Bernina Sewing Machine Internationally. 2006
SHOWS
Santa Fe, Silk Painters International Fashion Show, July 2014
Art at the Source, Sonoma County CA, May/June 2014
Flirt with Fashion, Fashion Show, Creekside Grill Nov 21, 2013
Canada Designer Sale, Sept 28, 2013
Fashion Show, Howard Hindsale Wine Bar, Silvertton, Oregon Feb 10, 2013
Flirt with Fashion, Fashion Show, Creekside Grill Nov 17, 2012
Canada Designer Sale, Sept 28, 2012
Vast Art Tour (Open Studio), Marion County, Oregon ,Sept 9, 2012
Fashion Show, Howard Hindsale Wine Bar, Silvertton, Oregon April 1, 2012
IPCA, International Textile Expo, Fashion Show & booth March 2012
“Lust for Couture”, Gallery Show, Fiber Arts Design, Palo Alto, CA May 2012
Stitches in Bloom, Silverton, Oregon January 2012
Mens Night Out, & Brides, Silverton, Oregon Dec 11, 2011
IPCA, International Textile Expo, Fashion Show & booth March 2011
Fashion Show, Howard Hindsale Wine Bar, Silvertton, Oregon July 11, 2011
Ladies Night Out, Oregon Garden, Silverton Oregon, January 28 2011
PIQF, Designing Women Fashion Show, Santa Clara, CA Oct 15, 2010
Sewing Show, Victoria BC Canada, Keynote and Fashion Shows,March 2010
IPCA, International Textile Expo, Fashion Show & booth March 2010
Sewing Show, Kitchner, Onterio, Canada,keynote/fashion show, March 2009
IPCA, International Textile Expo, Fashion Show & booth March 2009
Sew Expo, Puyallup WA, booth and Fashion Show, February 2009
American Sewing Expo, mentor, Passion for Fashion, Detroit MI, Sept 2008
Food For Fashion, fashion show for local cherity, Salem Oregon, May 2008
IPCA, International Textile Expo, Fashion Show & booth March 2008
Creative Festival, Toronto, Canada, keynote/fashion show, October 2008
Bernina Fashion Show, Houston Texas, October 2007 (special non-compete invitation)
IPCA, International Textile Expo, Fashion Show & booth March 2007
Sew Expo, Puyallup WA, booth and Fashion Show, February 2007
Bernina Fashion Show, Fantasia Fleur du Soleil, Houston, Texas Oct. 2006 (special non-compete invitation)
IPCA, International Textile Expo, Fashion Show & booth March 2006
Sew Expo, Puyallup WA, booth and Fashion Show, February 2006
American Sewing Expo, keynote speaker, Detroit MI, Sept 2005
IPCA, International Textile Expo, Fashion Show & booth March 2005
Marin Needle Arts Festival, Display 5 award winning garments, September 2005
IPCA, International Textile Expo, Fashion Show & booth September 2005
Threads Garment Challenge, Minneapolis, MN 2005
Fashion Fantasia, Australia, “Modern Japanese Bride”, 2004 (1st place all silks)
PIQF, Santa Clara, CA, Designing Women Oct. 2004
Quilt Expo, Husquvarna Fashion Show, The Hague, The Netherlands, “Modern Japanese Bride”, 2004
Quilt Expo, Bernina Fashion Show, The Hague, The Netherlands, “Madame Dragonfly”, 2004
Bernina Fashion Show, Houston, “Happy Flowers Regalia Girl”, 2005(special non-compete invitation)
Creative Sewing and Needle Arts Festival, Toronto, Canada “Butterfly and Fire Blossom Phoenix”
Bernina Fashion Show, Houston TX "Madame Dragonfly" Nov, 2003 (special non-compete invitation)
Widney Moore Gallery, Portland Oregon, February-March 2003
Bernina Fashion Show, Sew Expo, WA "Fire Blossom Phoenix" Feb. 2002 (Crème de la Crème winner)
Bernina Fashion Show, Houston TX "Fire Blossom Phoenix" Nov, 2002 (1st place Winner)
Bernina Fashion Show, Barcelona , Spain "Bernina Butterfly Coat" February 2003
Bernina Fashion Show, Houston TX "Bernina Butterfly Coat" Nov, 2001 (1st place Winner)
Skylight Gallery, Art Allience, December-January 2003
Santa Fe Weaving Gallery, "Secret Messages", Oct. 2001
Oregon College of Art and Craft “Art on the Vine” benefit auction May 2001
Santa Fe Weaving Gallery, “art dolls”, December, 2000
Santa Fe Weaving Gallery, “Cirque 2000” October,2000
San Jose Quilt Museum, “tic-tac-toe”, June 2001
San Diego Quilt Museum, “tic-tac-toe,” April 2001
Fine Focus, On-line, "tic-tac-toe" Jan, 2000
San Jose Museum of Art, “Art for Wearing” March 22, 1999
“Open Studios” Santa Cruz County, October, 1999
American Quilters Society, quilt show in Paducah, KY , April 1999
“Art in Fashion” Oakland Museum of Art, November 1998
Folk Art Museum, San Francisco, Fort Mason Center, Yearly 1992-1998
Obiko, San Francisco , biannual benefit fashion shows 1986-1997
Artful Eye, Healdsburg, Trunk Show 1996
Obiko San Francisco, Figurative Sculpture (dolls) 1993
Jacquline Lippetz Gallery, Glenco, biannual Trunk Shows 1994-1996
Artful Eye, Calistoga, Trunk Show, October 1996
Art Trails, Sonoma County 1992,1993,1994
Mindscape Gallery, Figurative Sculpture Show, Evanston, IL 1994
Open Studios, San Jose CA 1987,1988
“Best” of the Contemporary Arts and Crafts, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco CA 1993
“Art in Fashion” Marin Civic Center 1992
“Figurative Sculpture” Sun Gallery, Hayward 1992
“Art to Wear” Convergence’90, Handweavers Guild of America, San Jose 1989
San Jose Contemporary Arts Gallery,” Fiber Arts Show”, San Jose, CA,1990
“International Fashion Week”, Taipei Taiwan, Far Eastern Co., World Trade Center 1989
“Images” Fashion Show , Hong Kong, 1989
“Interior Design Center Fashion Show”, Showplace Square, San Francisco, 1989
“Designed to Wear”, Portland School of Arts and Crafts 1988
“Art for Wearing”, San Jose Museum of Art, San Jose, CA 1988
“Tribal Themes” Nordstrom , Valley Fair, San Jose 1987
“Design Symposium”, Showplace Square, San Francisco, CA 1986
MEDIA
Abstract Fabric Collage, CD, June 9, 2010
Abstract Fabric Collage, You Tube, June 9, 2010
Roll-Hem sewinhg demo, You Tube, Dec 2007, (104,150 “hits” as of Nov 2013)
Roll-Hem sewinhg demo, part 2 You Tube, Dec 2007
Promotional DVD testimonial for Bernina BSR “I’m free” campaign
Oregon Public Broadcasting, "Art Beat" featured artist-“update”, November 2005
Oregon Public Broadcasting, "Art Beat" featured artist, February 2003
Oregon Public Broadcasting, "Art Beat" guest of featured artist, June 2003
Scripps Howard News Service "DIY" TV, Sew Much More, featured guest January 2003 (reruns, 3 months throughout the US in 2005)
WORKSHOPS and LECTURES
Silk Painters International, keynote lecture and workshop, July 2013 Santa Fe, NM
Columbia Stitchery Guild, Portland, OR, Lecture & Workshops, March 2014
Winter Magic Retreat w Ana Lisa Hedstrom, Maxwell Court, Santa Rosa CA Feb 2014
Modular Magic Retreat, Maxwell Court Santa Rosa, w Jean Cacicedo, Oct 2013
Treasured Bits Neckpieces, Maxwell Court, Nov 19, 2013
Panel Vest Variations, Maxwell Court, Santa Rosa, CA Nov 2013
Whimsical Wool Hats, Maxwell Court, Nov 10, 2013
Tu-Tu Tuesday, Maxwell Court, teach children to use machine, Nov 5, 2013
Modular Magic Sewing & Design Retreat, Silverton Oregon, Sept 8-12, 2013
Modular Magic Retreat, Santa Rosa, CA October 8-12, 2013
Columbia Fiber Arts Group, lecture, March 2013
Fiber Clay & Intuition, art doll making, August 1-3, 2013
Peninsula Wearable Arts, keynote and workshops, October 2012
American Sewing Guild, Salem, Oregon, 2012
Modular Magic Sewing & Design Retreat, Silverton Oregon, August 7-11, 2013
Me Posters, collage, Silverton, OR 2013
(gap in records due to lost data)
Greenbaums Quilted Forest, Salem Oregon, Abstract Fabric Collage workshop, April 2012
Modular Magic Sewing & Design Retreat, Silverton Oregon, August 2011
Sewing Tradeshow workshops, Victoria BC Canada March 2010
Modular Magic Sewing & Design Retreat, Portland, Oregon, August 2010
Sievers School of Fiber Arts, Modular Design/Abstract Fabric Collage, June 2010
Sewing Tradeshow workshops, Victoria BC Canada March 2009
Modular Magic Sewing & Design Retreat, Portland, Oregon, August 2009
Sievers School of Fiber Arts, Modular Design/Abstract Fabric Collage, June 2009
Sew Expo, Puyallup, WA, workshops/lecture/booth March 2009
Modular Magic Sewing & Design Retreat, Portland, Oregon, October 2008
Creative Festival, Toronto, Canada, workshops keynote, October 2008
American Sewing Expo, Mini-shibori class, Novi MI, Sept 2008
Sievers School of Fiber Arts, Modular Design/Abstract Fabric Collage, June 2008
Modular Magic Sewing & Design Retreat, Portland, Oregon, October 2007
American Sewing Expo, Mini-shibori class, Novi MI, Sept 2007
Columbia Stitchery Guild, Lecture/trunk show/workshop, Sept 2007
Sievers School of Fiber Arts, Modular Design/Abstract Fabric Collage, August 2007
AQS, Paducah, KY, lectures/workshops, April 2007
Modular Magic Sewing & Design Retreat, Portland, Oregon Coast, October 2006
Bernina sewing shops tour, lecture/trunk shows, Nov 2006
Sievers School of Fiber Arts, Washington Island, WI June 21-29, 2006
Habermans Fabrics, Royal Oak, MI April 7,8,9 2006
IPCA Fashion Show, Las Vegas, NV, March 28,29,30, 2006
Sew Expo, Puyallup WA, March 2,3,4 2006
Hawaii Stitchery & Fiber Arts Guild, Honolulu, HI, Feb 4-9 2006
Seams Wild Guild, Eastern Washington, Jan 21 &22, 2006
Bernina Fashion Show, Houston, TX Judge, Oct 27, 2005
IPCA Fashion Show, Las Vegas, NV, Sept 26, 2005
Marin needle Arts Fair, keynote, San Rafael, CA Sept, 2005
Bernina Creativity retreat, Chicago IL, “keynote”4 classes, August 2005
Hawaii Stitchery & Fiber Arts Guild, Honolulu, HI, June 1-7 2005
Sievers School of Fiber Arts, Washington Island, WI, June 20-5, 2005
Bernina National Teachers Retreat, Chicago, Dec. 2004
American Sewing Expo, Novi, MI Sept. 2004
Sievers School Of Fiber Arts, Washington Island WI, June 2004
D’Leas, Denver, March 2004
A Common Thread, Lake Oswego, OR, Jan 2004
Osbornes, Santa Cruz, CA , October 2003
A Common Thread, Lake Oswego, OR, October 2003
Olympia Sew and Vac, Olympia , WA, October 2003
Waechters Silk Shop, Asheville, NC, September 2003
American Sewing Expo, Novi, MI, September 2003
Los Angeles Wearable Art Guild, LA, CA August 2003
Seattle art-to-wear, Kirkland, WA, July 2003
Columbia Stitchery Guild, Portland, OR, June 2003
Sievers Retreat, Washington Island, WI, June 2003
Bernina University, Monterey, CA June 2003
Design and Sew, Canby OR, May 2003
Marin Needle Arts Guild, Corte Madera, CA, April 2003
PACC, Portland, OR, March, 2003
27th Street Fabrics, Eugene, OR, March 2003
Fresno Fiber Arts Guild, January 2003
Linda's Sewing Center, Corvallis, Oregon December, 2002
Olympia WA, October, 2002
Professional Association of Custom Clothiers, Portland, Oregon, September 2002
Lake Oswego, Oregon, A Common Thread, Sept 2002
Handweavers Guild, "Convergence 2002", August, Vancouver B.C.
Hillsborough, Corvallis Guild special Class, July 2002
Design and Sew, Canby, Oregon, May 2002
Concord Valley Stitchers Guild, February 2002
Peninsula Wearable Art Guild, February 2002
LICENSING CONTRACTS
Paula Vincent Designs, Hawaii, 721 pant pattern Sept 2005
Amazing Designs, Designer Series, Kayla Kennington Collection 1, June 2003
OESD, Designer “take out” series, Nov. 2003
PUBLISHED SEWING PATTERNS
Modular Design for Couture Artwear, Kayla ink.
918 Panel Top and Panel Vest, Dec. 2002
425 Cross Over Top. April 2003
1226 Angel Top, March 2003
729C Kangaroo Bag, July 2004-revised 2005
303 Paris Evening Coat, Feb 2005
721 Perennial Pant Collection, June 2005
518 Fantasia Top & Jacket
511 Kwan Yin Kimono, August 2008
0815 Two Tops Top, Sept 2011
0913 Lanai Top, July 2011
0216, PDX Coat, Nov 2011
(pattern company sold to Sewingpatterns.com June 2012, still in print)
MISCELLANEOUS
Kayla’s “Amazing Designs” Embroidery Designs were used in the winning garments for the top three prizes (blue, gold and white ribbons) in the Sulky Challenge 2005.
Kayla has created custom clothing for:
Alice Walker
Isable Allende
Shakti Gawain
Stevie Nicks
Christine Mac Vee
Ganga Gee
Starhawk
Naseem Rakha
Amy Tan
Ashaki Glover
Zelda Williams