In 1991, Ms. Polin was looking for that special gift with sentimental value for her dear friend Carol Maureen who was about to be wed. It was then that she designed her first piece of lingerie using an heirloom hand crocheted lace yoke she had found years earlier in an antique store. This gift was so well received that two more original pieces of lingerie were created for other friends’ weddings. The gifts were loved so much, that more lingerie was custom ordered for other friends and word spread. Barb Polin was one of five children-one boy and four girls. As she and each of her sisters turned ten years of age, they each began sewing. It was rare that she or her sisters ever had "store-bought" clothing. Almost from the beginning since she was essentially in control of the design, Barb had the desire to make her clothing look different from everyone else’s. While in high school, Ms. Polin took additional clothing and tailoring classes. As time passed, she became fascinated with vintage clothing frequenting thrift and used clothing stores for neat old clothes to incorporate into her wardrobe. Thus, in effect, Barb became a collector of vintage clothing and parts including lace yolks, old fabrics, antique buttons, old patterns and the like. Barb always said sewing gave her solace but it wasn’t until she she realized that she was sewing lace that SoLace was born! Later that first year of creating one of a kind lingerie from vintage lace, Barb was introduced to marbling by Johlene. She was in love with marbling on silk from the first time she saw it at Johlene’s house. She purchased some of Johlene’s marbled fabric to fashion a necktie for a gift. Fascinated by the technique of marbling, Barb took a mini marbling class. Then through trial, error and a lot of frustration, she developed the technique she now applies to fabric, leather, wood and paper to create one of a kind marbled silk fashions and accessories. The rest, as they say, is history.....The designing of the cotton and silk garments with the lace embellishments grew out of wanting another venue in which to incorporate her love of old laces and vintage clothing parts. SoLace silk clothing for men and women are individually hand-printed with a technique called marbling. No two prints are ever the same, making your SoLace garment or accessory truly unique. Some of our fashions include: Pullover Silk Shirts Scarves... Silk Vests... Suspenders... Silk Ties... SoLace Bowties... Bowtie and Cummerbund Sets... Barrettes... Fabric by the Yard silk charmeuse, silk habotai, silk crepe de chine or silk chiffon.
All of the designs found at the Solace in the Shenandoah Valley are created by Barb Polin . Solace can also accommodate custom orders for special sizes or styles. She hopes you enjoy wearing these clothes as much as she enjoyed creating them.
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