gretchen klimoski
Gretchen Klimoski sells her clothing under the name Toad Hollow Designs. Since founding Toad Hollow she has explored many surface design techniques to add color and texture to fabric surfaces.
After discovering a “stash” of vintage kimono fabric pieces, she began incorporating them into her garments along with other ethnic fabrics. One of her most unique and satisfying techniques is the Japanese method of sashiko. This running-stitch technique is now used to recreate traditional – and not so traditional – patterns on many of her designs.
Today, Toad Hollow’s designs are soft and flowing to flatter most every figure. The Asian-inspired designs are seasonless, timeless and ageless. Each garment is individually cut, sewn and hand embellished. Fabrics include Irish linens, Japanese kimono fabrics, Indonesian ikats, Indian silk dupioni and fine pima cottons. In addition to the Potomac Fiber Arts Gallery, her work may be viewed at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, VA, and at the Left Bank Gallery on Cape Cod, MA.
