Stitched at Midnight!

Back to stitching

2011-09-26T21:20:00.000-07:00

I belong to a small group of stitchers, each Christmas we make a hand-made gift for each member. This year we are exchanging ornaments. I made these hearts, but was concerned that one heart would not seem much of a gift, or they might seemed a bit 'cheesy'. So, I hope volume will make up for cheesiness! I made thirty hearts - three for each member.

Phew! It feels good to have a Christmas project finished - one down!

A variety of silk strips were stitch together with decorative machine stitches. Three different heart-shape patterns were used to cut the hearts, some at an angle, from the silk fabric. The heart shapes were embellished with embroidery, beads, silk ribbon and lace. A back was attached with blanket stitch and a little stuffing added. Ribbon was stitched to the back to form a hanger.

Tila bead bracelet

2011-09-03T22:02:00.000-07:00

I just tried the new (well new to me) Tila beads - square beads with two holes. Very easy to work with and lovely colours. Here I used the Tila beads with pearls and seed beads.

Right Angle Bead Weaving

2011-08-26T12:15:00.000-07:00

I took a class yesterday on Right Angle bead weaving. It was a very enjoyable class and our teacher has the patience of a saint. Here is the 'Right Angle Dangle' necklace I made.

My latest bracelet

2011-08-07T13:22:00.000-07:00

This bracelet reminds of a sea anemone - the beads move as I move my wrist - the beads swaying as if under water. I made a bead base, to which long bugle beads were added. A 'loop' of seed beads connects each pair of bugles, which gives a lacy effect. A few crystals were placed along the center of the bracelet. The bugles are black and very shiny and the seed beads are clear glass with a sliver lining.

A few more beading projects

2011-07-22T12:53:00.000-07:00

Here are some barrel beads, made with 3 sizes of pearls and seeds beads. Also some easy seed bead bracelets - good for a beginner to beading.

Beading projects

2011-07-20T17:18:00.000-07:00

I have not been doing much sewing lately, but I have caught the beading bug. I took a class to make a focal bead from pearls and seed beads, that class inspired me to try some patterns from a beading magazine and much to my surprise I managed to follow the instructions. I really got carried away with a lariat necklace, which has approx 3,500 beads! The lariat and blue bracelet are made in a beading pattern called St. Petersburg double chain, it is an old Russian pattern.

Embellished Silk Prints

2011-02-12T21:07:00.000-08:00

I will be giving a talk to my Chapter of the EGA on embellishing silk prints. Here are a few small items I made as prizes for those attending.

Detail of a bag

A handmade card and a needle case

Bracelets

2011-01-14T10:36:00.000-08:00

I have not been doing much embroidery lately, but for the ladies on my Christmas gift list I made beaded bracelets. Here are a few of my leftovers.

My Christmas gift

2011-01-14T09:09:00.000-08:00

I can't have been as naughty as I thought over the last year! Santa put a very special gift under the tree - a map embroidered on linen in tiny tiny cross-stitch. The map is of England and Wales, showing all the counties and some towns. The name of the lady/girl who stitched this piece is embroidered in the upper right cartouche, with the date - 1789 and the place 'Brook Green House'.

I have since done a little research and found that Brook Green is an area of west London, not too far from where I grew up. After the Reformation (King Henry VIII), the open expression of Catholic faith was forbidden, but slowly Catholic life returned to London and almshouses, as well as a school for young ladies were established by the Catholics in Brook Green. I feel sure that my embroidered map was probably stitched by a pupil of this school.

Thank you Santa - you did a good job, I love it!

Baby Quilt

2010-07-28T14:00:00.000-07:00

My sister in Australia embroidered the center panel and mailed it to me, I stitched the quilt which is now on its way back to Australia. The quilt is for a new baby in the family, expected in about 8 weeks - a joint effort from his aunties.

More Bugs - Jean, if you are looking at this, GO AWAY! this is your birthday gift.

2010-07-14T08:49:00.000-07:00

I emailed my sister a photo of the bug needle case I had previously made and she asked if I would make her one for her birthday. I decided to make her a sewing set of bugs, which includes a needle case, scissor case, scissor fob and a pin keep - an infestation of insects! My sister also mentioned a friend who would also appreciate a case, the friend likes ladybugs.

The first needle case was made with satin, which was hard to work with, as it was so slippery; this second set I made in taffeta and the ladybug is in dupioni silk.

Someone asked, what kind of bugs were these, I replied, they are called imagination bugs - the kind that burrow into your mind and you have to get them out!

A big bug

2010-06-17T13:57:00.000-07:00

I have been working on this little sewing needle case for the last couple of days. I used a padded shape to create the raised body of the bug; the 'wings' are made with beaded dyed lace, and couched and embroidered gold threads.

Shopping Trip

2010-06-15T16:55:00.000-07:00

Had a great shopping day! A friend and I left the house at just after 9:00am and headed for a very nice quilt shop, then into Houston for what must be one of the biggest fabric stores in America (if not the world!). Next on our list were two embroidery shops and of course lunch. After being fortified with a delicious salad, coffee and just a little piece of cake, we were ready to hit the road again for three more quilt stores. I arrived home, around 4:00 pm, with a lovely selection of fabrics, silk embroidery threads, silk ribbons and some beads, oh and a much lighter purse!
Pictured above is a small part of 'High Fashion' fabric store, downtown Houston.

Embellished Tape Measures

2010-06-12T21:37:00.001-07:00

These little tape measures are a quick project, which turns a plain plastic tape measure into an elegant crystal/bead encrusted sewing tool. I made them as gifts for a stitching group I belong to and made them personal to the recipient - - one lady collects teapots, another loves dragonflies and one lady is in to scuba diving.

Christmas Star

2010-06-12T14:01:00.001-07:00

I took the crazy quilt tree to 'Show & Tell', with my little sewing group. The ladies liked this beaded star and asked for a class later this year. Great! An easy project to show how to.

Christmas in June!

2010-06-12T13:41:00.000-07:00

I have just finished this Crazy Quilt Christmas tree - a little early I know, but it is always nice to get a head start.

Phone Pouch

2010-06-11T18:40:00.000-07:00

A friend gave me this little quilted fabric sample. it was just the right size to make a phone holder. I had a great time embellishing the pouch - you can never have too many beads!

Last two Bags!

2008-10-06T12:19:00.000-07:00

Before leaving for Australia I had two bags to finish for the 'Daily Windows Company' and felt an obligation to get them completed and shipped before picking up the threads of my coursework again. I have just finished the last bag.

The bags, actually one portfolio and a backpack, are at different ends of the spectrum in the way I embellished them - one, a Victorian image I printed on silk and the other, an abstract piece I call 'Entropy' - a state of order deteriorating in to chaos.

New issue of Haute Handbags

2008-09-21T21:04:00.000-07:00

After a morning in the garden, trying to cut up and clear more of the downed tree limbs and branches, before dragging them to the curbside, I spent half an hour in the chair with the latest issue of 'Haute Handbags' . What a lovely issue; so many really talented artist - I'm so impressed by their work!

I was delighted to see the photography work done on my bags - they always do such a nice job. If you look closely at the bottom of last photo you, can see 'Distant Stitch' is mentioned (click on photo to enlarge).

A Sweet Memento

2008-09-21T10:43:00.000-07:00

I want to share this little meaningful idea with you, as I found it such a sweet gesture: -

While my sister and I where sorting out things at our mother's house, a friend asked if she could have something mum had liked to wear. She took two blouses and a nightie, but would not tell us what she wanted them for. Before I returned home the friend give me this little teddy, made from those favorite things mum wore. Teddies were also made for my two sisters. I think this is such a lovely idea - this little bear is such a comfort to me.

I had kept one sleeve of mum's favorite blouse, from which I made sachets, filled with lavender from mum's garden and finished with ribbon and a button from her sewing box. The one sleeve made seven sachets - enough for the female members of the family. I also wrote a little poem to go with the sachets.

A few photos after Ike

2008-09-20T21:34:00.000-07:00

Photos taken on the circle where I live. Two trees fell onto a neighbour's house. Our skinny pine tree fell on our next door neighbour's roof - we were able to get it off. Every house has large piles of tree limbs. I was amazed at how quickly everyone came out and cleaned up. Many trees fell across roads and neighbours worked together with chain saws to open up the streets.

From Australia

2008-08-29T01:03:00.000-07:00

Dear friends, I am writing this, not from my home in Texas, but from Western Australia. This was a very sad trip to make, as my dear mother passed away on Monday (18 Aug 08) Although mum was 96 years of age, she still lived in her own home, still doing her own cooking and washing - a fiercely independent lady. The service was just as mum would have wanted it - simple and very meaningful. The small stone church, was lovely, again just that simple beauty. The church was full. The Priest was so caring and made the service very personal to mum. The cemetery is new and out in the country. It is surrounded by tranquil wooded fields, which, at this time of year are full of wild calla lilies. As mum was laid to rest I could hear the birds singing in the surrounding fields - mum will like that. After all the friends and neighbours had left my sister's home I felt a need to be by myself, so slipped away down to the beach (just a 2 minute walk). The sun was beginning to set over the sea - it seemed a beautiful ending to the day. I watched as the sun set and the colour of the sky changed to soft hues of pinks and blues, a gentle closing of the day.

Module 4 Chapter 11 - Making a Speical Book Cover or Portfolio

2008-08-01T12:40:00.000-07:00

Oh joy, I am back in business! I am glad to say I had not busted the Mr. camera - it just had an extra filter on the lens (who knew!) .

Sample 1

Sample 2

Sample 3

Sample 4

Sample 5

With guidance from Sian, I re-thought some of the ideas for the portfolio design, putting more emphasis on the texture and interest of the paper itself
and the integration of textures.

Here I try a few ideas: -

Sample 1. Shows an embedding initial. This is just a test piece and the colour of the letter is off, but I wanted more dimensionally to the piece.

Sample 2. I decided to add fibers.

Sample 3. The fiber grid was placed over handmade paper and paper pulp was added around the edges. I pressed the pulp into the fibers, but it did not adhere well.

Sample 4. I made another grid, which was more open. This grid was dipped into paper pulp - to coat it, then it was laid onto a sheet of pulp and pressed hard into the wet pulp. When dry, the edges of the paper were torn away, to reveal the fringed fibers of the grid. The machine stitching on the grid shows through the paper, as the dark red spots. I like the way the fibers are integrated into the paper and the way they poke out as a fringe.

Sample 5. Hand-stitching is added.

Not a good week for working

2008-07-23T10:22:00.000-07:00

Disaster - my camera has died! Every picture I take comes out over exposed, and with lines running across the images. Pictures also have a ghostly-looking double image.

I can use the 'Mr.' camera, but I hate not having my own. It bugs me to hear, 'Don't forget to switch it off' and 'Don't forget to delete your images', every time I use it. And wouldn't you just know, I started to take some shots with the Mr. camera and the thing some how locked up on me, so I only managed to take one photo.

I must have a jinx on me this week as I managed to splash dye on, not one, not two, but three t.shirts! You think I would learn after I ruined the first one! It is my own fault; each time I was in too much of a hurry to go and change. Spots are in, right?

A Bible/Book Cover

2008-07-20T22:00:00.000-07:00

This is another project made for the bag company, for their website gallery. The little portfolio is intended to be used as a bible cover. My theme for the project is love; I also thought about a dear friend who has lost a child....... the heart that is free to fly.

The wings were made by making tiny pleats in white silk and then giving a hard press - to make the pleats permanent. The fabric was then cut to shape. To stop the edges from fraying I dipped them in gold paint.

A Fish Bag

2008-07-09T09:53:00.000-07:00

I was asked by the Daily Windows Company if I would like to embellished some more bags and portfolios for their web gallery. Here is one of the backpacks they sent, after embellishment.

The fish bodies are made by wrapping fabric strips around a knitting needle.

Now I wonder who would carry a bag like this......
A scuba diver
Someone born under the sign of Pisces
An icthyophile

Other suggestions welcome!

Detail photos

Strawberry Fields for Ever!

2008-07-09T09:31:00.000-07:00

My sister gave me this lovely muted pink cotton velvet - perfect for some shabby chic strawberries, like the ones seen on Andrea Singarella's delightful blog.

Module 4 Chapter 11 - Making a Special Book or Portfolio

2008-06-28T11:36:00.000-07:00

(1) Portfolio idea made in chapter 10

(1a) Sketch of portfolio idea

My idea for a portfolio is based on envelope flaps and also includes an interpretation of illuminated letters.

I liked the shape and proportions of the small mock-up portfolio, made in chapter 10 and would like to attempt this as my assessment piece.

The outside measurement would be approximately 9 inches by 12 inches, this would accommodate standard (American) size paper sheets. There would be two embroidered panels and two smaller plain flaps. The flaps would be held closed with corded ties.

(2) Portfolio flaps in poster board

(3) A grid with paper, shows how the panels would be placed

(4) I plan to add decorated initials to each of the larger panels (shown here with a previously made ('E').

(5) The open portfolio.
Pockets and holders could be added to the inside

(6) The fabric colour pallet

(7) A selection of threads and fibers for stitching and embellishing

The panels would be embroidered with a variety
of fibers.

The portfolio would be made from a selection of silk fabrics - an outer fabric and lining, with the panels hand stitched in place to the front flaps. The two plain flaps (top and bottom) would be attached to the back of the portfolio with tabs, which could be further embellished with decorative stitching and/or beads. The two decorated flaps could also be joined to the portfolio back with tabs, but theses may be left plain, as not to distract from the panels.

(8) A decorative tab and a boarder of prairie points, which could be used to join front flaps to the back. Machined-stitched cording is made to tie the flaps together.

A thin batting and Pellon would be sandwiched in between outer fabric and lining, to give some stability to the piece.

Module 4 Chapter 10 - Book-Type Structures

2008-06-28T11:22:00.000-07:00

Sample 9.

A long narrow folder with decorative inverts at the top. It has pockets for documents. The covers are not joined to each other, only to the front and back pages.

Magazine submissions

2008-06-25T09:45:00.000-07:00

What a busy week! I received an email from the magazine editor for Stampington Press, letting me know that 3 out of the 4 bags I had previously submitted and the accompanying article were accepted for the October issue of Haute Handbags (yippee!). The photography work is of such high quality, it is a joy to see ones bags in print, (it makes them look better than they really are, but don't tell anyone I said that).

The editor also asked if I might have anything to submit for another publication, Altered Couture, she is a bit short on material for the next issue. I did have an article on the back boiler of my mind, so I moved it to the front boiler and started cooking. There was a short deadline on this. Plus, I had not even started one of the bags that I wanted to accompany the article! I got everything in the mail today.

The feature is about taking a second look at items and using them in a different way. I took placemats, plastic containers and a remnant of 'mother-of-the-bride' fabric and made them into bags.

Module 4 Chapter 10 - Book-Type Structures,

2008-06-22T12:28:00.000-07:00

Sample 6.

A flat sheet of poster board is creased and folded into a box with a lid.

Sample 7.

An open box, with dividers . Not a lot of surface area to decorate, but the sides of this box could be embellished.

Sample 8

Folder, with a wide and a narrow flap.

Module 4 Chapter 10 - Book-Type Structures

2008-06-16T06:32:00.000-07:00

Sample 5.

A flat folder opens to show many surfaces, to which pockets, a note pad, paper clips or photos could be added.

Module 4 Charpter 10 - Book-Type Structures

2008-06-15T09:07:00.000-07:00

Sample 4

A folder, with offset envelope flaps.
I wanted to try different methods of attaching the front flaps; from the top:- punched holes, with string ties.
Right-hand side: - tabs.
Bottom: - overlapping decorative tabs, machine stitched together and stitched to folder.
Left-hand side: - hand stitching.

Module 4 Chapter 10 - Book Type-Structures

2008-06-12T12:14:00.001-07:00

Sample 3

Semi-circular papers and outer cover poster boards were joined together (to form complete circles) with a machine insertion stitch. Having the pages cut in half this way made made for easy closure of the booklet.

Module 4 Chapter 10 - Book-Type Structures

2008-06-11T12:04:00.000-07:00

Sample 3

This is a previously made booklet, that accompanied a Round Robin quilt block, featuring fairies. The pages were blanket-stitched together and a perfusion of ribbons, torn fabrics and threads were added to the folded edge.

Module 4 Chapter 10 - Book-Type Structures

2008-06-11T11:16:00.000-07:00

Sample 1

Staggered folded pages, joined by taking thread from the outside, into the center of the book and then back to the outside, where the threads were knotted and tied.

Sample 2

The outer cover has been folded, concertina style, in the center and small pages were attached on the inside, in the folds. Pages were glued on the left side of the fold, then the right side, and back to the left again, so the pages fall in opposite directions.

Module 4 Charpter 9 - Stitched Edges

2008-06-10T08:19:00.001-07:00

Sample 12 -Layers of newspaper were glued together and painted. Slits were cut into the paper along one side and the paper curled - alternating a 'more curl, less curl' pattern. This reminded me of the plastic spines used to hold manual pages together. String was machine stitched and threaded through the curls in an undulating pattern, some machine stitching was also added.

Sample 13 -Post-It page marker tabs were placed along the paper edge and also laid in a row along the paper; machine stitching was stitched over the tabs.

Sample 14 - Holes were punched along the paper edge. String and wire were threaded through the holes and also stitched to the paper.

Sample 15 - Two rows of a decorative machine stitch were added to the paper, and holes were punched in between the stitching; hand stitching was also added.

Back from my travels

2008-06-09T21:22:00.000-07:00

I'm back from my trip to Montana and Wyoming - it was so nice to visit dear family and old friends, but there is nothing like ones own bed.
A cute thing happened at the wedding with the ring pillow - just as the wedding was about to begin, the little 2 year old bridesmaid who was going to carry it fell fast asleep. It was a tender moment when her uncle carried the sleeping babe in his arms, with the pillow, down the aisle.
The cooler temperatures in the northern states was delightful, especially as Texas had sweltering high temps. of 107 f!

With traveling out the way for this year (hopefully), I plan to knuckle down to work.

Yippee and yahoo! I just received notice that three out of the four bags I submitted to Haute Handbags will be included in there October issue, as a feature article. The magazine does such a super job of photography.

Just one more!

2008-05-26T17:27:00.000-07:00

I will be attending my granddaughter's wedding this coming weekend and needed a bag to match my outfit, which is dark gray and pink. I made this bag from a remnant of embroidered netting that I had in my stash. The net is over a gray dupioni, with a pink satin lining. I also made the ring pillow.

More Bags!

2008-05-22T15:13:00.000-07:00

While finishing up the bags for the magazine submission, I received a call from a company that makes totes and portfolios, which have a clear window placed on the outside. The company asked if I would embellish a couple of their bags - to show different ways that the clear window could be used. The company will take photographs of the bags for their website gallery. Thank you Daily Windows.

Tip - The star burst in the portfolio photo is the flattened metal cap from a broken glass Christmas ornament. I love those things; never throw them away when you drop an ornament - they make great embellishments. Almost worth smashing the balls, just to get the caps!

Module 4 Chapter 9 - Stitched Edges

2008-05-02T11:42:00.001-07:00

Sample 11

A scalloped machine stitch is added to the paper and any paper on the outside edge is torn away. More machine and hand stitching embellishes the edge and beads are placed at the scallop points, along one edge.

Module 4 Chapter 9 - Stitched Edges

2008-05-02T10:44:00.001-07:00

Sample 6, When cleaning up, after dyeing and colouring papers and fabrics, I save the dye-soaked paper towels - I love the rich mixture of colour that blend together, plus they can be recycled into new paper pulp. I used paper towel strips to form an undulating edge. It was stitched, at intervals, to the paper, giving a puffy look to the edge.
Sample 7, Paper studs are pushed through the paper and threads wrapped around the studs.

Sample 8, Rat tail cord is hand-stitched to the paper edge - going around twice. The cord, with a few twist, also follows the contours in the papers, where different papers meet. Couching holds the the rat tail in place.

Sample 9, A fringed edge is made with fibers embedded into the pulp.

Sample 10, Layers of torn paper form a multi-edged paper; the layers were glued together. Although these edges are not stitched, they are embellished with thick gold paint.

Module 4 Chapter 9 - Stitched Edges

2008-05-01T08:22:00.000-07:00

These Samples of stitched paper edges were backed with a regular white paper; this really made a difference when stitching into them - the backing gave the hand-made paper more stability.

Sample 1, Machine stitching with a decorative stitch.
Sample 2, Metallic threads form a tasseled edge.
Sample 3, Loops of metallic threads are threaded under a machine blanket stitch.
Sample 4, A metallic thread is hand-stitched in a random 'X' pattern, at the paper's edge and where the two different papers meet.
Sample 5, Hemp cord is hand-stitched, in blanket stitch. The hemp is stiff and this gave a curve to the stitches.

Handbags

2008-04-25T12:19:00.000-07:00

I was recently privileged to be asked by the Stampington Press Company to submit some of my purses for inclusion in the latest issue of 'Haute Handbags' magazine. I am thrilled to have my work shown in the premier and spring 2008 issues. This encouraged me to come up with a simple bag design, that could be easily altered to make many different styles.

Here are four of the bag variations.

Heart of Hearts

2008-02-02T15:13:00.000-08:00

This small quilt will be a wall hanging; I embellished the hearts with embroidery and beading, the hearts are stitched to squares of silk, which I dyed five pastel colors.

I also made a hanging heart - two embellished hearts stitched back to back and ribbon gathered around the edge.

Happy Christmas!

2007-12-19T11:22:00.001-08:00

May your Christmas be merry and bright,
May your stitches be neat and your coursework complete!

With good wishes to you all.

Module 4 Chapter 9 - Stitchery into Paper

2007-10-23T21:13:00.000-07:00

Reworked sample 2

With suggestions from Sian, the ribbon has been carried into the paper boarder and the gold threads stitched on the paper are repeated in the grid. The newly added ribbon also has been stitched with gold threads.

Inspiration source

Just One More Lacy Thing!

2007-10-17T21:57:00.000-07:00

I hope no one minds if I share this photo of Sassy, my rescue pug, being fitted for her Halloween costume - a vision of loveliness in white tulle!

Other Lacy Things

2007-10-17T21:40:00.000-07:00

After that workshop I am enjoying working with lacy things; I made a little book of delicate things. The pages are stitched with paper, embedded with petals, lace, chiffon, organza, scrim and Tyvek. The pink page is a post office Tyvek envelope, pressed into a rubber stamp with a hot iron. It was then painted and torn.

A few pages from the book.

Normandy Lace Making

2007-10-17T21:00:00.004-07:00

It seems such a long time since I posted anything - just a lot of things going on and getting in the way of my coursework, but I also did some fun stuff too.

One fun and very interesting thing I did was to take a workshop in Normandy Lace Making. As the name implies the art started in France,in the 18^th century, when the elaborately embroidered caps, worn by women, went out of fashion. Being frugal,the women would reuse the embroidery by incorporating it with other laces, to form a new fabric. The photo on the left shows a cap back in the center of this old lace fabric, made up of many pieces.

In the workshop I made a piece of lace fabric, (photo on right) which consist of seven different laces. This is a great way to give new life to old deteriorated linens and laces - by just cutting out and using the good parts. I now have a reason to stop at all garage sales - to look for old laces, but something tells me I won't find too many 18th century French cap backs in Texas!

Module 4 Chapter 9 - Stitchery into Paper

2007-09-25T11:09:00.000-07:00

Sample 5.

An Illuminated letter from a medieval manuscript is the reference material for this sample.

A letter is hand stitched, with a random backstitch,in gold threads. The background is made from a melted felt grid embedded with paper. The letter was made with painted silk, backed with felt; the 'E' was drawn, in reverse, onto the back of the felt.

Sample 4.

Research photo in black and white. Words were machine stitched into strips of paper and fabric (the fabric is the darker colour). The strips were woven together, as in the research picture. My sewing machine is not real fancy; it is not programmable, but it does have lettering stitches, the only problem is you can't read what is stitched! But it makes interesting patterns and only I know what is written.

Sample 3.
The grid was embedded between paper, only the embossed stitching pattern shows through. I used this piece to try different machine stitches to look like cursive writing. The first photo shows the front, the second the back, which I think I like more.

Sample 2.

Sample 2. The undulating and fluid movement of Arabic writing influenced this piece. The paper was placed over organza, which
does not really show, although a deep fringe of organza surrounds the
paper. A variety of gold metallic stitches are machined stitched into the
paper. The center grid has silk ribbons woven in a random way, to
represent Arabic script.

Sample 2 photo photos
photo 1. overall image
photo 2. detail of woven ribbons
photo 3. detail of machine stitching
photo 4. source - Arabic writing from research material

Module 4 Chapter 9 - Stitchery into Paper

2007-09-23T13:40:00.000-07:00

Sample 1.
The crisscross pattern, made by the embedded threads in the paper, reminded me of Chinese characters. I tried to interpret the characters with straight hand stitches, formed in vertical rows. The paper is stitched to a dyed muslin background.

Source -
Chinese characters from research material.

Inspired by Sian's Photos of Garden Art

2007-09-22T08:41:00.001-07:00

After viewing the photos taken by Sian, at Urchfont Manor, I ran into the garden and dressed up the garden bench with a fern arch.

Module 4 Chapter 8 - Grids Embedded in Paper

2007-09-20T12:44:00.000-07:00

Sample 15 -
A grid was made in clear plastic vinyl, with a hole punch. Threads were taken across the grid and poked down the holes - leaving long tails. The vinyl was placed in a frame and dipped into the paper pulp, which covered the top threads as well as the hanging ones. The frame was put between bricks, while the pulp dried and stiffened over the threads. This may not be a very practical piece, but it was fun to try. If the strands were thicker and stronger it could make a letter rack!

Photo 1 - looking through the top of the vinyl.
Photo 2 - vinyl upside down.
Photo 3 - vinyl held vertically.

Module 4 Chapter 8 - Grids Embeded in Paper

2007-09-20T12:21:00.001-07:00

Sample 12 - Two colours of pulp are added to the grid.

Sample 13 - Plastic mesh, with a small grid, was put in a frame and dipped in the paper pulp. Another plastic mesh, with larger holes was hand-held and dipped in a second vat, then laid over the first paper sheet while it was still wet.
Sample 14 - A plastic mesh bag, in an embroidery hoop frame, was dipped into the paper pulp vat.

Module 4 Chapter 8 - Paper Pulp Applied to Grids

2007-09-16T20:43:00.001-07:00

Sample 11 - Different colored paper pulps surround a grid, made with a soldering iron.

Module 4 Chapter 8 - Paper Pulp Applied to Grids

2007-09-16T19:34:00.001-07:00

Sample 6 - Clear stitched vinyl has pulp added to the sides. I didn't think the pulp would stay on the slick vinyl, but it did. I think the stitching helped to grab the pulp fibers.

Sample 7 & 8 - A sheet of paper pulp is placed on a 'J' cloth and decorated organza is placed on top. Another sheet of paper pulp encases the organza. The top sheet is pressed into the stitching.

Sample 9 & 10 - Pulp is laid around the grid. The grid is stitched and the removed threads have been curled and twisted - to give dimension under the pulp. The pulp was pressed into the textured surface.

Module 4 Chapter 8 - Paper Pulp Applied to Grids

2007-09-13T05:29:00.000-07:00

Grids with spooned pulp.

Sample 4. Pulp was spooned over a wire mesh grid. Threads were embedded and more pulp was added in patches. The pulp was smoothed out and flattened into the wire. The second photo shows the reverse side.

Sample 5. Pulp placed on scrim. The partly removed grid threads are laid down in the pulp.

Module 4 Chapter 8 - Paper Pulp Applied to Grids

2007-09-13T05:13:00.000-07:00

Grids dipped into paper pulp.

Sample 1. Scrim, with machine satin stitching was dipped into paper pulp; some pulp was peeled away to reveal the grid.

Sample 2. Narrow ribbons were wrapped on a plastic lid frame (center cut away, just leaving the rim). Coating the ribbons with pulp, while still on the frame, gave a nice 3-D look to this piece. After the pulp had dried I wondered if the grid would retain it's dimensionality when cut from the frame - it did. I found I could also remove the ribbons from the encasing paper and still not alter the shape of this grid, which now is only made of hollow paper tubes intersecting each other.

Sample 3. Waste threads (saved from frayed silk strips) were dipped, just one, two or three strands at a time, into the pulp. The coated threads were placed on a 'J' cloth at various angles.

Module 4 Chapter 7 - Decorated Grids by Slashing, Punching and Melting

2007-09-06T07:50:00.001-07:00

Sample 1. Nylon organza, with melted holes and a variety of stitches.

Sample 2. Clear plastic vinyl, with punched holes - stitched with various overlapping threads and ribbons.

Sample 3. Long slashes are made in two pieces of felt, which are twisted and stitched together.

Sample 4. Melted felt, embellished with a variety of stitches. This piece was given dimensionally by taking stitches from one area to another, causing the felt to curl.

Sample 5. Two pieces of felt are slashed diagonally, interwoven and stitched to form holes.

Module 4 Chapter 7 Grids by Other Means - Slashed Holes

2007-09-04T14:22:00.000-07:00

Slashed holes - made with a cutting wheel.
Sample 1. Frayed diagonal slashes form the holes for this grid.

Sample 2. Slashes, parallel to the weave, form the frayed outer holes. Diagonal slashes form four holes in the center. Only three of the four quarters were frayed in the center - giving a diamond-shaped pattern in the fabric.

Module 4 Chapter 7 Grids by Other Means - Melted Holes

2007-09-04T08:59:00.000-07:00

Synthetic organza - melted into a square pattern (with straight lines), offset circles and random squares.

Module 4 Chapter 7 Grids by Other Means - Melted Holes

2007-09-03T22:21:00.000-07:00

This grid was made by machine stitching Kunin felt with metallic thread. A heat gun was then used to melt the felt, some felt residue remains around the metallic stitching.

Module 4 Chapter 7 Grids by Other Means - Wrapped Frames

2007-09-03T21:13:00.000-07:00

In the first sample, a 'Z' shape was machine stitched, binding the two-way wrap of floss and silk ribbon. Random hand-stitching was added, over the 'Z'.

The second sample was wrapped with floss, in one direction, and machine stitched. Scrim was added - in a mirrored 'V'. More floss was wrapped and machine stitched over the scrim, in the other direction.

For sample three, strips of felt were wrapped in one direction and hand-stitched with 'X's. More felt strips were wrapped and stitched, in the opposite direction ,forming a structured grid. Envelope button closures were added at the intersections and threads were wrapped around the buttons, in an 'X' pattern. This made the grid smaller.

Module 4 Capter 7 Grids by Other Means - Wrapped Frames

2007-08-30T13:35:00.001-07:00

The first image shows machine threads wrapped at an angle on the frame. The second image is after hand-stitching. Blanket stitch was used, in a 'V' pattern (or maybe it is a 'W'), in two colours - one stitched over the other.

Module 4 Chapter 7 Grids by Other Means - Wrapped Frames

2007-08-29T14:29:00.001-07:00

Frayed fabric strips were wrapped once around the frame, in one direction; the strips are held in place with 'V' shape metallic stitches. A second layer of strips was added and stitched in the same way. Paper fasteners were added to the intersections and placed through both layers of fabric.

Module 4 Chapter 7 Grids by Other Means - Wrapped Frames

2007-08-27T10:30:00.000-07:00

Two colours of floss were wrapped around a circular frame. Straight machine stitching, worked in a spiral, holds the floss together. The 'grid' is dense in the center, but more open towards the outer edges.

Module 4 Chapter 7 Grids by Other Means - Wrapped Frames

2007-08-26T14:38:00.000-07:00

These samples were made using very stiff card frames. The first sample was wrapped with decorative fibers, in one direction, and the fibers were machine stitched together with satin and zigzag stitches - forming an irregular grid.

Sample 2 was made with two colours of silk ribbon, wrapped over the frame in two directions. A decorative machine stitch holds the ribbons in place; this was stitched on the diagonal with different coloured threads.

Module 4 Chapter 6 - Combining Hand and Machine Stitching

2007-08-25T14:52:00.000-07:00

Looking at the wavy edges of stamps, in my research pages, I tried several ways to interpret the perforated edges in this sample. The withdrawn threads are woven under the remaining bars - to form a boarder of circles around the square. Silk ribbon is woven in an undulating pattern (reminding me of torn perforated holes). Floss is looped around bars and machine stitching is made over alternating intersections, in a zigzag pattern. In the center withdrawn threads are woven and stitched in a wavy pattern.

Module 4 Chapter 6 - Hand and Machine stitching

2007-08-25T12:22:00.000-07:00

In the first sample, bundles of withdrawn threads are loosely interwoven. I wanted to take this sample a step further, and looked for 'letters' within twisted threads. I stitched over some of the letter shapes, with hand and machine stitching. The parts not stitched looked odd, so I continued stitching even if it was not a letter shape. This piece did not turn out as well as I hoped, but I will still include it.

Module 4 Chapter 6 - Diagonal Stitching

2007-08-19T14:20:00.000-07:00

Hand and machine stitching is worked diagonally across the fabric.

Stitches are worked over the horizontal and vertical threads - a square pattern was made in this way, as well as over the intersections.

Machine threads, wool yarn, silk ribbon, metallic threads , floss and stranded threads were used.

The withdrawn threads have been stitched back at an angle, by staggering the stitches holding them in place.

Module 4 Chapter 6 - Machine Zigzag stitching

2007-08-19T14:08:00.000-07:00

All withdrawn threads have been machined over, as well as the remaining vertical threads - until not much of the original fabric remains.

Module 4 Chapter 6 - Zigzag Machine Stitching

2007-08-19T13:42:00.001-07:00

Groups of threads are twisted around and joined with other threads; they are machined stitched in place. At the top of this sample, threads are withdrawn in a staggered pattern and stitched in place with machine zigzag stitches. At the bottom, threads are twisted in the same manner as in the center.

Module 4 Chapter 6 - Machine Zigzag Stitching

2007-08-19T13:00:00.001-07:00

Machine zigzag stitches form long bars around the center, where a smaller scale of squares are stitched. The small squares are machined in two directions -horizontally and vertically. Two different colours of thread were used.

Module 4 Chapter 6 - Machine Zigzag Stitching & Tucks

2007-08-19T12:50:00.001-07:00

Four rows of tucks are stitched in the center, with machine zigzag stitching either side.

Module 4 Chapter 6 - Needle Weaving on Bands of Withdrawn Threads

2007-08-05T14:30:00.000-07:00

The top row has three groups of blanket-stitched columns. In between the columns are two areas of tapered shapes, made by decreasing the stitches, as they are worked across the threads. The areas are worked in two different types of yarn.

Row 2 - Threads are withdrawn to the left and to the right of the fabric, (without completely removing them). They are twisted together until they curl on themselves and then they are woven back though the vertical threads.

Row 3 – Withdrawn threads are woven back, through larger groups of threads. The ends are braided and wrapped at the ends – to form little tassels.

Row 4 - A herringbone pattern is stitched over the vertical threads, the withdrawn threads are taken to the sides and are stitched over with a smaller herringbone pattern.

Row 5 - A strip of silk fabric is woven and wrapped around groups of threads. The withdrawn threads are woven in an arrow pattern to the left and a staggered pattern on the right. Also, on the right-hand side, vertical threads were taken from the bottom and woven, in groups over the staggered threads. Beads were also woven in and added to the end threads.

Row 6 - Groups of threads are twisted over other groups by weaving floss through them. The floss holds the twists in place. The withdrawn threads are couched into a pattern at the sides.

On the left hand side, three groups of withdrawn threads are rewoven in loose loops. Extra withdrawn threads are also added to cover the area.

The adjacent area is stitched with decreasing needleweaving over groups of threads. The fabric was turned and the same needleweaving was added to the same threads groups - forming narrow centers. Small beads were added to the centers. The withdrawn threads were divided and couched down.

Just below - random needle weaving, formed by including and then missing threads.

To the left - threads are withdrawn in a square and couched down using blanket stitch. Not all threads were cut; these remaining threads were woven in a twisted pattern.

Underneath - threads are wrapped with a twisted chain stitch at the top and bottom, while splitting the thread groups, to form a zigzag pattern. Withdrawn threads are woven in two groups, in a right-angle pattern.

Size: 9.5 X 8 inches

Distant Stitch - Module 4 Chapter 6, Ideas to Decorate the Drawn Fabric

2007-07-26T11:09:00.000-07:00

Row 1 - three silk ribbons are woven in a simple staggered pattern of under 2 threads, over 4.

Row 2 - the same silk ribbon is taken under groups of threads and tied in knots.

Row 3 - machine thread is twisted around groups of threads and taken on to the next group of threads.

Row 4 – a nubby wool yarn is stitched in a Herringbone pattern around groups of threads.

Row 5 - pine needles are woven through the threads in a random pattern.

Row 6 – a fabric strip is loosely woven, forming loops on the surface of the scrim.

Row 7 – brass wire is woven and twisted into loops (this row may not show up too clearly in the photograph).

Row 8 – eight strands of floss are woven under four threads along the linen scrim; a floss loop was made in the center, which is knotted and the threads cut to form a tassel.

Row 9 – pieces of plastic straw are placed under groups of threads. The straw pieces are covered with dyed tissue paper, for a more attractive look.

Row 10 – feathers are woven in the scrim.

Row 11 – Loops are made with a string of bugle beads loosely woven through the vertical treads.

Leaf Bag

2007-07-23T14:19:00.000-07:00

Organza leaves have been embellished with beads and metallic threads, which form veins along the leaves. The leaves are stitched to a silk bag.

Felt making

2007-07-23T12:19:00.001-07:00

A piece of felt made in Betsy's workshop

An Art Bra - in progress

2007-07-23T12:08:00.000-07:00

Different colored organza have been burnt into leaf shapes and embellished with metallic threads and beads. The leaves are stitch to a regular bra. I thought of calling this bra "Waiting For The Fall"!

Fantasy Garden Silk Evening Bag

2007-07-21T21:17:00.001-07:00

Dyed Silk rods and embellished cocoons are stitch to this silk bag; French knots, straight stitches and bead work are also used. Inspiration from Stef Frances.

Velvet and felt bag

2007-07-21T21:11:00.001-07:00

This bag was made from an Australian pattern. I wanted to learn how to make the flowers.