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







Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Oh to be swaddled!

As promised, a progress report on swaddling band two. Working on this has left me with a longing to be ensconced in soft, pretty fabric all snug and warm. Compared to swaddling band one, number two is much softer, silk as opposed to linen. It could be that or it could be the fact that it's freezing outside or it could be that I am tired and want to sleep for a week. Whatever it is, it is making the creation of these pieces so comforting. In these images back and front are merely tacked together, in reality they are properly sewn, running stitch edges and flat seams. I reached that milestone a couple of evenings ago but as you will know, no light for photographs.








Now I have a tiny dilemma. I am making really good progress with swaddling band one. It will be finished by saturday. I am hoping so much that I will have good light through the day and then I can get images that do it justice, but, I wanted to show you something completely different at the weekend. Do I show you both things, or do I keep band one to myself for a while, guaranteeing enough posting material through next week? Decisions, desicions.
Thanks Ulla for the photo tip, I think it worked! You're a star!







8 comments:

Gina said...

It is beautiful Karen.

Ulla said...

Lovely work; now I can imagine the whole length of the band, too.
I'm glad my experience with blogger gaps helped you!

méri said...

Your photos are so good! I know that the beauty is in your embroidery! So original and pretty!

By the way have a good year!

Katy Swift said...

As always Karen the photos are beuatiful. Can I ask you about cut work? I'm not familiar with it and don't know how to do it or (other than your stunning work), it's applications.

Jane said...

looks such a peaceful piece to work on, beautiful

Victoria said...

Looking at this makes me feel very relaxed, as if I can feel the love and energy that you put into it. As always, beautiful work!

MargB said...

Very exciting work Karen. I love the cutwork too. I wondered about the size of this band. Thes swaddling cloths bring back memories - when my first was born I ahd to take to hospital flannel swaddling cloths for him and calico ones for me! Really dark age stuff, nowadays!

jude said...

i would love to be all wrapped up in one of these.