For centuries women have used cloth as a tool of comfort and as an expression of beauty within their homes. Creating cloth for warmth, cloth for shelter, our female predecessors embellished these linens with hand stitch using laborious and time consuming techniques thereby enhancing the functional beauty of objects which enveloped and protected their families. Inspired by these women I hope my creations pay tribute to and recognise the devotion expressed in cloth by our female ancestors .







''the use of traditional often time consuming process alludes to the devotion of a mother''. c K. A. Ruane 2007







Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Anxiety!

It feels like I have been away from 'blog world' for such a long time. In reality it's actually only 2 days, well one and a half. I have been welded to the pc for tedious, stressful stuff, paperwork for my interview. I think??? I am done now, as prepared as I can be. I'm probably not. I have most likely forgotten the one piece of essential information that I need, you know when you can't see the wood for the trees? I am a bit stressed but I'm sure that will pass after a nice relaxing evening of embroidery.
Now...my new piece. You will notice we have colour again. I got to thinking about what I missed creatively, that thing about my work that says 'Karen' and I decided it's not necessarily white on white, it's more the process and the end product. I was missing the idea of a large finished piece, the process, patchwork, applique, repetetive, time consuming, I'm not a 'whip it up quick' kind of girl. Not in any kind of long term way at least. I really enjoyed my venture into the world of colour making those small things for the shop, and my hook and eye cloth. So, I have embarked upon a personal project, something for me, with all the usual 'Karen' process and a bit of colour thrown into the mix. I am going to make a patchwork piece, 3 inch squares with vintage cloth, running stitch and text.



When I have all the squares done and joined together I may quilt it. That will be a kind of new venture for me. I haven't really done much quilting, lots of patchwork but not quilting. So I am really, really excited. Not only do I get to make it, I get to keep it!



9 comments:

Victoria said...

What a treasure this will be!

méri said...

A very, very exquisite quilt.
I look forward to see it

Anonymous said...

I admire your ability to know what you like and what you like to do. those vintage scraps look familiar i think.i think this wll be lovely

Anonymous said...

I love these patchwork squares and like the idea of quilting on top, look forward to seeing it finished

Luísa Silva said...

Those running stitches are stunning. I love the touch of pastel color you add on each square.
I understand what you mean when you say you must take your time to make your projects.

Anonymous said...

look forward to seeing the finished quilt. it promises to be stunning!

Gayle said...

I've been catching up on your posts and I am in awe of everything you are creating. Beautiful! Gayle

Anonymous said...

I don't know who you're interviewing with but they'd be fools not to hire you! I love the color in your work - it's so fresh! And I love the quilt blocks - it will be an amazing quilt and I can hardly wait to see the finished results! Good luck to you! xoxo, Nan

Jacky said...

I love where you are going with this piece Karen...the touches of vintage embroidery are just perfect, as are the running stitches.
I am looking forward to following your progress with this piece!