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, April 19, 2012

just knots


Lots of knots, the Bullion and French kind. My love of French knots is well known but I have had a kind of re awakening of my love of Bullion knots thanks to Deanna, (Deanna is ever present in Karen's world in case you haven't noticed) It was during one of my classes that Deanna mentioned she would love to know how to do them and would I show her...so thanks Deanna. They were long neglected here at one time and now they are taking over and are probably here to stay or at least appear frequently! It was because of my addiction to knots that I started my little group on flickr. Well it isn't really my group, I started it for everyone else who loves knots too, (knots of the embroidered kind that is) I have been trying to invite everyone I know but am convinced I have missed people out and also...you don't have to know me to join so I will mention it again here...just request an invite, simple as that...to do that click here and whilst you are there have a look at the amazing pictures that are in there already.
Finally...my wrapping cloth class embroider, embellish, create starts soon, May 1. I would hate anyone to miss out on that as there are only a few places left. We have had two fantastic groups so far who have created amazing pieces of embellished cloth, truly gorgeous embroidery. If you do want to read more and follow links to images from the earlier groups than just go here for all the information you need. Classes start on May 1 and the blog goes live this coming Monday so that people can familiarise themselves with the resources on there.

14 comments:

Tatkis said...

Sooo beautiful! Those knots give such a delicate touch!

Hugs,
Tatyana

Jane said...

I so love this piece. I'm so glad Deanna asked, it was the first time I'd done them too, and I love them

deanna7trees said...

and thanks back to you for the lesson. i do love them as well and have been getting better at making them in all different shapes and sizes.

Suztats said...

I love the bullions!

Peggy Holt said...

Karen, I have only been with you a short time----just a few months---but I see so much growth in your work. You are getting more and more ornate and detailed in you pieces. It is truly a joy to watch your progress.

A clot of Bullion knots...pure genius.

barbara l. hale said...

Well, I love this. Here's to the Bullion and the French knot!

Elizabeth said...

They look GORGEOUS!!!!

Annet said...

Such gorgeous bullions!

Helena said...

They're lovelly!!!

KJE said...

Are these the same bullion knots as instructed in your buttons class?

Lois Evensen said...

Wow, those are beautiful!

Karen said...

KJE....yes, they're the same....

Anonymous said...

I've never been all that keen on doing bullion knots, but I love the effect you've created with them!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

I will have to get my needle out and get practicing bullion knots! Mine are never exactly 'right' somehow and I know it's a simple matter of working with them awhile.