Loose ends

Aside from primary school crafts, I don't think I've really tried weaving before, so in the interests of completing my textile education, I have tried my hand at tapestry weaving.  Thankfully I was taught by the very talented Gail Marsh, who is not only a skilled embroiderer, but just to keep herself busy, is now undertaking a diploma in weaving.

We started in a simple, low-tech way, with warps wrapped around an old picture frame and a heap of assorted threads.  I soon learned that some threads work better than others:  my lovely linen thread had just too much texture for the scale of work and a knobbly, white knitting yarn that had much promise proved to be a devil to weave.

My first attempt comprised a series of rather static horizontal lines but here is my second attempt.  I chose a more balanced selection of yarns: neutral cotton with a mercerised twist, soft angora, lustrous silk and wispy mohair.  My inspiration was the ripples left in the sand when the tide went out.  For good measure I included a small piece of sea glass found by my friend Marjorie, an avid beach-comber and collector of all things shiny.

Sum of the parts

When it come to applique, I usually reach for a roll of Bondaweb, but in my quest to learn new techniques, I have been trying the traditional stitched form of the art.  It was a bit of a fiddle to create a cuddly koala using a bold grey and purple Liberty print but I think the gently-turned edges give a softer, slightly padded look that I couldn't have achieved with glued fabrics.

Alpine Inspiration

An unexpected ski trip to the lovely resort of Madonna di Campiglio in Italy has provided the inspiration for this week's stitch story.  Our favourite apres ski venue was Bar Suisse in the centre of the town.  A cool glass of Trentino wine and some excellent nibbles was just the thing after a day on the slopes.

The motif on the coasters used in the bar caught my eye and with a bit of manipulation I have transferred it to some beautiful purple boiled-wool cloth.  Stitched in cream cotton perle it gives a rich, shiny contrast to the matt fabric. 

Pearl

This little study in pearl has been made for Grassington Embroiderers' Guild pearl anniversary exhibition. which takes place later this year.  The idea is to make a pearl necklace from embroidery hoops.  Mine has been a bit of a doodle with no fixed plan or design.  I've used some of the stash supplied by Grassington branch but have added bits of lace, buttons, beads and part of an old pearl necklace that I found in Grandma's button tin (where else?).

I have to confess that it looked a bit of a mash-up but what saved the day was some ivory-coloured cotton perle thread which I back-stitched in cornelli pattern to fill-in all the gaps.  Perfect!

Picture perfect

My goal is to do something new each week and whilst this might not be something new, it is on a different scale to my previous work.

I'm doing another stitched portrait based on a photo of my lovely girls taken at Christmas. They are all laughing and the picture just captures their vitality.  I found an old handkerchief that I've had since I was a child.  I don't know where it came from, probably my Grandma or maybe my mother.  It has a hand made 'lace' edge but it is a form of stitching or weaving rather than traditional knotted lace.  It's small and delicate and so my stitched portraits are too. 

I've started with Frances.  She's far away on an extended holiday and I'm missing her.  The difference in time zones mean that it is difficult to talk to her but we did manage to catch up earlier this week.  Long distance love.

Sheer magic

This week's challenge is to create a picture using sheer fabrics.  I've got a bit of a thing for these lovely diaphanous materials and they crop up in a lot of my work.  My stash includes several two-tone organzas which shimmer and change colour as they move. 

Here I've used a two-tone red and black mixed with a rich brown to build up my flowers (dahlias, in case you're wondering).  The areas of overlap provide extra depth and texture.  I've used a two-tone green and black for the leaves because it offers a more natural colour to the alternative, monochrome organza.  The picture is built up, one piece at a time and with hind-sight I might have started with a more organic background before stitching the features.

Happy New Year!

I'm kick starting the new year with another challenge to try 50 new techniques - well perhaps not all new ones but 50 nevertheless.

My Glusburn stitching group had asked me about negative space stitching which was something I'd not tried before.  I found some lovely examples and I particularly liked this random 'splash' effect which I created with a series of interlocking ellipses, doodled over the numbers.  The negative space is filled with satin stitch - not one of my favourites but I got plenty of practice with this piece.

Happy New Year!