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







Monday, September 12, 2011

ruching......





Those of us who are attending sewing classes have been ruching....ruching like there is no tomorrow in fact. I really must insist that you pop over to our little flickr group and have a look, some of these ladies could teach me a thing or two! JUST CLICK HERE. I am amazed, in awe and basically dumb struck at the wonderful things that are happening in my class...and I haven't had to give anyone a detention yet either....
I came home from my mini trip to London very late last night. It was great, I saw Helens new house and she is so settled in a lovely home with her lovely other half. I didn't venture anywhere near any shops so kept my pennies safe in my pocket. Well apart from petrol, don't get me started on that. You know you are being ripped off when you need a mortgage to fill your car with petrol!! and London drivers......I'm sorry but how can you be so rude! Nobody and I mean nobody gives an inch, nobody gives way to let you in when your lane is suddenly closed without warning, not an ounce of consideration did I encounter on the roads of London.I let people in, I give way ...I'm a northerner, maybe we aren't as stressed but you know stress isn't good for you. CHILL!! It may do you some good.....outraged, appalled...you get my drift....
It costs nothing to be nice, it's free......
So I am happy to be home in my courteous little patch of England with my sewing and my class of amazingly talented ladies and my needle and thread....

17 comments:

Elizabeth said...

You have some talented girls in your class. No wonder you are so proud of them. Congratulations everyone while being on your embroidery-job.

Jane said...

Glad you got home safe.
The ruching on these pieces are stunning

Mosaic Magpie said...

I have spent the last hour just looking at flickr and all the different stitchers. I was lost in a peaceful world of beauty.
Deb

Jacky said...

The class photos are wonderful Karen. This looks like a great workshop...I have been following Deanna's progress on her blog.
Scrummy!

Jacky xox

Flaming Nora said...

Oh you are making me laugh with your rant at London drivers. I think I'm quite a good and courteous driver, but I get shocked looks at junctions and interchanges when i'm up your next of the woods. He he!

deanna7trees said...

glad you are back safe and sound. courtesy on the road seems to disappear in large cities. most people here in Austin are pretty good when it comes to that.
i'm just loving all the new techniques i'm learning in your class.

Suztats said...

Love the ruching, Karen!

Carol Q said...

LOL - I remember London driving Karen - it's a completely different ball game! I could get very obsessed with your silk ruching it's just gorgeous!

Helena said...

What can I say? I've never been in London before, but I imagine all big cities are the same!
Congratulations for this wonderful work! It's gorgeous...as usually!
A kiss to you and another one for your Helen.

Sheeprustler said...

I always think 'ruching' sounds rude :) But it doesn't look rude!!

Tammie Lee said...

this looks more delicious than dessert!

Jeannie said...

Your students are amazing! Beautiful handwork! I love ruching. It looks so elegant. I hear you on city drivers. When we venture to Seattle or Portland, I have white knuckles the whole time. I grew up in Seattle and didn't think anything of the traffic until I moved to a rural spot. I wonder why everyone is in such a hurry and so rude. They are only going to get there (in one piece) as fast as traffic will allow. Wishing you a beautiful day.

Heartwideopen said...

Your photos are stunning!!!!!!!!! I want to touch it so bad.
It was fun going through the photo pool of your students work... totally inspiring!

;-) Debi

Joanna said...

Yay I found the link this time, thanks for making it nice and big :o)

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Wow - tons of inspiration on the flickr site!! It looks like everyone is learning lots and having fun at the same time.

Antinéa said...

magnifique

Lynda Howells said...

thanks for the message...it will look even more gorgeous when finished.