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







Thursday, October 28, 2010

gingham, patchwork and rouleau loops....

The latest instalment in my throw project. Some fabric again from the very, nay, extremely posh NK in Stockholm. You know I doubt this will be finished in time to warm my toes this winter but I am certain it will be just about finished before I am in my dotage so that's at least a little bit of comfort. The hand embroidery that you can see here is a very small amount and that's all I have done up to now so there's still quite a way to go on this piece. Remember my addiction to hexagons? no it's not cured but I have discovered another just as serious addiction, rouleau loops. Can you tell?? I love, love , love them. Can't get enough of them. Give me a bias tube of fabric anyday and I will turn it and cut it until the end of time. I have even considered making a living from turning said tubes right way out for people. I have it off to a fine art now and wonder if there is a Guiness world record for the quickest ever turning right way out of a very thin fabric tube. Now you know where to come if you need any rouleau loops making, for a small fee of course!






Now I have to mention this, mostly in a research kind of way and maybe in a little bit of a ''what's going on??'' kind of way, it is so quiet over here it's almost as if someone has turned the lights out and put up the dust sheets. I know from others that it's not just me but it's mightily frustrating whichever way you look at it. I know we are in the middle of bleak times but if you have to buy something why buy tat? why not buy quality, unique quality that will last for years?
I have seen some beautiful things, created not by me even but by other very talented people just left as if on the scrap heap, doesn't make sense to me but there you go, as my Nana would say, ''there's no accounting for folk''. So apart from the times we're in does anyone else have a clue? I did wonder is it me, am I not working hard enough. I read an article the other day and this person worked from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. on a daily basis. To me that's a little above and beyond but maybe that's what it takes, answers on a postcard please....
As for the rest of my news, well, and I bet you thought you'd never hear this again....favours are ongoing. NOOOOO they're not finished. Truth be told I ran out of the gold coloured silk thread so I spent the last couple of days backing and preparing ready for stuffing and edging. Today I took some pictures of how they look before being stuffed that I will show you next time, kind of a reverse tutorial. Yes I know I spoil you but I have to show you and I demand that you be interested!!!! Also, don't faint with excitement, try and contain yourself, I have bought some gorgeous, beautiful, sumptuous and delicious silk muslin and silk scrim. Be still my beating heart........I will show you that next time too. Alas, I didn't leave the house to buy it, good old mail order...

17 comments:

deanna7trees said...

silk muslin and silk scrim, sounds scrumptious.

Dolores said...

Fresh. That's what comes to mind when looking at all the colourful gingham. Love those bias tubes.

Heartwideopen said...

I've never heard of silk muslin. Where did you get it?? This is such a happy patch for your quilt. I absolutely adore the green fabric. It's my favorite color of green. And your embroidery is bringing this piece alive. I can't wait to see how it progresses. I'm in love with your hexagons. I lke the rouleau loops, but the hexagons are just my favorite. One of these days I'll have to try and teach myself to make some.

jill said...

I love this piece, it is fresh and clean and simply gorg.

Jane said...

Oh, that sounds delightful. I would spend ages just touching it.
I do love those hoops. I gave up on some tubes a couple of months ago, it just wasn't going to turn, I wish I had your magic fingers.

Gina said...

I love your little bit of embroidery on it already.

You love turning those tubes, really? I absolutely hate that part, the skinnier it is the more I hate it! You must have some sort of tricky technique to make it so appealing. Hmm...c'mon now, spill the beans! I get horribly frustrated turning anything!

Quiet? Well...payday is almost here and I plan to buy that little book as an early Christmas present. :-)

sylviesgarden said...

I just realised that I read the whole of your post with my mouth open, ie. gobsmacked.
That section of your so far so beautiful throw is mighty lovely! I have no idea how you do it.
x

meplusmolly said...

Hello back to you lady!
Thanks for your comment. I'm not doing too bad, lots of brainstorming to do about moving forward with work ;0

Anonymous said...

Love those clear, cheerful colours on the throw!

Victoria said...

this work absolutely brimming with joy!

Suztats said...

Yes, Dolores said it: Fresh! Like a gentle puff of fresh, spring air. So nice.
I am so interested to see the silk muslin and scrim, and I'm wondering just what creativity they'll spark. Hugs

connie said...

I love the throw, it is coming along nicely! I can hardly wait to see the entire piece. As for things being quiet. I live in a small town and work one day a week in a gallery where I have my work and It is unbelievably quiet these days, in fact for the last 2 months. Nothing is selling so I don't think it is just me. I think people are not spending like they used to...

Sara lechner said...

so fresh! the little flowers you do winding the thread around the kind of wheel rays stitches are the first thing embroidery I remember in my life. I was fascinated of my mother doing them on some towel as I was a toddler. I can remember it even now!

Rachel said...

Your patchwork is looking so beautiful! As for etsy, I'm only a very amateur seller but I haven't had any sales for a couple of months - hoping it might pick up in time for Christmas
R x

fabriquefantastique said...

You're on a roll, Karen.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

So pretty and delicate! Definitely spring like and cheerful. As for turning little tubes - perhaps you should offer that service in your shop? I know it's a job I detest!

jennyflowerblue said...

I am totally stony broke and am pretty sure I'm not alone. so perhaps that explains the lack of Etsy trade. I haven't been over for weeks, for fear of temptation!
I'd love to know the secret of your 'turning' do you have a special gizzmo? x