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







Friday, February 4, 2011

toe wrap and a few notes on lace...

Well it's backed!! Pink gingham. I decided aginst the Marimekko for the reason I said last week, this will one day be an heirloom, (hopefully) and I don't want my great grandchildren thinking that it came from the house of Marimekko... I'm not revealing too much of it today as there are still a few things I want to do to it. Last night I started edging it with hand stitch, simple blanket stitch to finish the edges off. I only managed to get three sides done and then I want to go round again, maybe twice more to give it a lacy look. Then there are puffs and knots to add. I will probably need to make more puffs actually because I would like those running along at least one edge too. So it's still very much a work in progress...
 As for my plans with the old lace...it isn't actually yellow from ageing or from dirt, it is actually cream lace, made that way. I cut tiny snippets of two different types yesterday and soaked them in a minimal amount of bleach mixed with water. As you can see from the picture one of them has come out very white, the other, no difference. It looks more yellow here but that's the light, in reality it is exactly the same. Now I will bleach more of the successful lace to add to the wedding piece. I will then have to make sure it is properly rinsed and laundered, by hand of course, as any bleach left in it could damage the embroidered silk of the main piece over time. Because I have embroidered quite heavily already on the main piece I am going to have to give a lot of thought to where I will put the lace but my thinking at the moment is that It will run along the lower edge somehow, we shall see.
By monday I hope to at least have this attached.....watch this space..

14 comments:

sylviesgarden said...

Beautiful!
x

cottonreel said...

I think the gingham backing looks wonderful--cottonreel

Gina said...

People think I'm productive but I'm nothing next to you! All beautiful, as always. Looking forward to seeing the toe wrap in all its glory!

Elizabeth said...

Think I am in need of a toe-warp too because it looks so beautiful.

Carrie said...

That toe wrap looks so cosy, it will make a lovely heirloom.

Heather Woollove said...

Karen--I've been waiting to see the toe wrap backing...and here it is, and it is wonderful!

Karen Larko said...

Beautiful work as always! Toe wrap? That's a funny name for something so beautiful. That lace is beautiful too!!!

Suztats said...

Oh, lucky toes! to have such a lovely cover! They'll be warm and beautiful.

connie said...

I agree, your lucky toes!!! This is beautiful. I love to do blanket stitch, so very meditative.

Unknown said...

This is beautiful! An heirloom indeed. I can't wait to see it finished.
Have a lovely day,
Tammy

Jane said...

What a difference the backing has made, the edging is going to be wonderful

Anonymous said...

It sounds as though you still have a lot to do on the toe wrap (lucky toes!)..

Jan said...

I bet you are pleased with yourself it looks so much nicer with the backing ,I dont know why I say that cos it was/is gorgeous anyway ,but you know what I mean lol ....love Jan xx

Sheeprustler said...

Been busy attempting to have family time and not commenting on your blog. Some time this year I am going to have a go at one piece at least heavily influenced by your amazing work. It inspires me so much!

Doing bead embroidery and sock knitting myself atm - two different projects!

Love the gingham backing. I think it suits the best. Marimekko is to be die for but not the best for that piece I think.

Love

Judy