SWAIA ARTIST Profile

Virginia Ballenger

Name
Virginia Yazzie Ballenger
Tribe
Navajo Nation
Main Classification
Textiles
Classification #2
Classification #3
Website

SWAIA Booth Numbers

Summer 2024
PAL 270
Winter 2024
Virginia Ballenger
Portfolio Example & Artist Statement

I create clothing for women, men and children. My designs are inspired by my Navajo heritage. I use luxurious velvet, shimmering satins, and vibrant wool fabrics to create blouses, skirts, coats and vests. I embellish my creations with sterling silver hand stamped buttons, turquoise stones, coral stones, and beads. I design some of my fabrics and have it printed. I am also a pattern maker and draft all of my patterns. I use sewing machines and hand stitching to construct my designs. On many of my blouses, I use pin tucked fabric, which is a method that my grandmothers used to add shape to a garment, before scissors were readily available. To create pin tucks, you fold the fabric and stitch close to the edge to create decorative ridges.

2024 Portfolio

View the artist's portfolio for this year.
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