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







Sunday, October 31, 2010

white silk scrim............and I'm giving something away but don't get too excited....


Until very recently I didn't even know there was such a thing as silk scrim. I have used scrim before, the normal, cheap very open weave stuff. Infact during my foundation degree I almost used scrim to extinction, layering, building up textures, cutting holes in it. In this sample I have just placed a scrap of vintage embroidery behind it, my thinking being where it wasn't cut the pattern and colour would show through. Well that has happened but not really successfully in my humble opinion. Truth be told I am a little disappointed in the cloth itself. For some reason I imagined it would be more 'natural' if you know what I mean but it seems a little too 'synthetic' for me. I do have other ideas for sampling though, strengthening with muslin for example, rendering the cloth soft and more receptive of hand stitch. White bases, silk and cotton, less of a sharp contrast. At the end of the day that's what sampling's for, testing, sparking ideas and moving things on so from that perspective it hasn't been a wasted exercise at all. There is quite a discussion going on over here about this and one of the questions asked was ''is it soft?'' Well not to me, not as soft as I had hoped anyway and I don't feel confident that it would drape very well.



The scrim is shown here, next to the silk muslin I bought. The scrim is the bright, white piece. As I am struggling to properly describe it I suppose the best thing to do would be to give you some and then you can see for yourself so I will give a way a couple of pieces of this, 10 inch squares, to 2 people who comment on this post and then you can tell me what you think of it. Although I hate to leave the house, as you know, and despite the fact that I am THE most unsociable person in the history of the world, this is one of those situations that required interaction. If I had any friends I could go get a group together and we could all fondle this and express an opinion. Sadly hermits don't have that option so it's down to you, my cyber friends.

Now for the reverse tutorial that I promised, or maybe threatened!! I can now announce that favours are finished, all 50 of them. They are neatly and safely stored ready for collection, and here is how they look prior to stuffing!! Goodness I spoil you lot!!





Now remember this?
Well it has a new home now. It was despatched lovingly wrapped, insured, protected and trackable all the way to the USA last week. Why is it then, that even after all the safety nets I have built in that I can't sleep for fretting?? I feel like I have sent one of my kids up the Amazon with only an apple for comfort. Roll on my tracking code displaying ''signed for, delivered, safe and healthy!!''
Finally, and yes I'm bragging now, sorry about that but I have got tickets for this!!! Woo Hoo, happy isn't the word!!

23 comments:

deanna7trees said...

I'd love to play with that silk scrim. I'll see if I can find some in Houston this week.

Anonymous said...

Goodness, how pleased you must be to have all the favours finished!

I'm sure your parcel will arrive safely, too, but I think we'll all be glad of confirmation when you get it..

Heartwideopen said...

Oh my gosh, the favors look so cool all piled up like that!!!! What a nice photo shot. I'm really surprised that the body of silk scrim would feel so stiff. I've never seen it before (or the silk muslin) but I've been investigating the links you gave me. I'd love a piece of the scrim to play with!

;~) Debi

Heartwideopen said...

OOps, forgot to tell you to have a blast at your night out with Take That! You deserve to have a special treat! And so glad that gorgeous cloth is going to a new home.

;~) Debi

Kate said...

I totally understand the constant fretting until they have the parcel in their hands, especially as it's soooo beautiful. But I don't understand the Take That tickets!!

Kate x

DK said...

I did not know silk scrim existed until today. Or silk muslin for that matter. I'm familiar with cotton scrim and like the floaty-ness of it and layering with it.

The favors look amazing and congrats on the tickets, I hear they're a pretty hot item lately.

sylviesgarden said...

Congratulations on finishing the favours, I don't know how you find the patience. The end is result is stunning.
Also congrats on the Take That tickets, I know that they were like gold dust.
x

sylviesgarden said...

Ps. Me again, just wondered how you did the labels on the favours? Did you use a stamp or have them made?
x

Elizabeth said...

Take That, you are in for some fun and a lot of singing along. Are you like me, as soon as I have tickets I have to play the music of that artist?

Now a serious note. When I saw the scrim I thought of something what I saw yesterday in a museum. Now I don't know the exact word for it but my description is an old fashioned cap which women wore on sundays and with special special celebrations. Don't ask me where you can use them for since I have not a clue.

Have a lovely evening.

Anonymous said...

Hm, I've never used silk scrim (would love a piece if it isn't already all promised) - do you remove it like you do with the cotton canvas type?

Have fun at the concert!

:) Linda

Magpie's Mumblings said...

What would happen if you washed the silk scrim? Would that soften it up? I absolutely am there with you about worrying about parcels not reaching their destination. I'm a basket case until I hear that things have safely arrived (especially things like the art dolls in the collaboration - having one of those get lost is something I simply can't handle!).

Sheeprustler said...

Silk can be weird. I;ve never used silk scrim, but I have used lots of other types of silk fabric and yarn. One always expects it to be , well, silky, and frequently it isn't. I suppose that adds to its charm. Pretty favours, must have been a bit boring though doing the same thing 50 times!

Dolores said...

Seems like the hermit does get out once in a while. Good. Congratulations on the sale. Fretting over the delivery won't make it get lost in the mail nor will it make it be delivered any sooner. It's out of your hands. Take a deep breath and carry on with the next wonderful project. I think your experiment with scrim turned out pretty good. It was, after all a trying out of an idea. Now you know the outcome...

Tammie Lee said...

Your favors look amazing! Such a special thing you have done for this wedding.

How wonderful that you are giving away samples to get feedback from. As much as I want to reach out and touch it and maybe even embroider it... my days are full and it should go to someone that will needle it beautifully.

Ingrid said...

your favours are beautiful,what a gift!as for the scrim,it looks like a very tight weave,maybe you could find one looser?

Patchwork Linda said...

Take that booked and silk scrim to play with what a great weekend.

Gina said...

I've never come across silk scrim before so would love a chance to play. As for Take That... lucky you!

jennyflowerblue said...

Ooo yes, the silk scrim would be ace to play with. I know what you mean about not having any near by friends to compare notes with, it can be an isolating task. Lovely to see the favours near completion- I guess I ought to give some more serious thought to what I might make next year. Have fun with your tickets. xxx

Sue Krekorian said...

I wish I could have a play with this cloth. The silk scrim looks remarkably like - embroidery canvas! If it is also stiff, I guess that means an even closer resemblance...I wish we lived closer and could enjoy a play day together!

Jude said...

Just found this blog so will be catching up. Love the idea of those favours!

Jill said...

Silk scrim, almost sounds like a contradiction in terms. I used a scratchy scrim to clean etching plates, but the thought of ink next to your beautiful stitching is a nightmare scenario.

Jackie said...

I think I'd keep that quiet if I were you...'Take That'?
Oh Karen....
you are much younger than I am I suppose so I'll allow it.

Diane Cransac said...

Karen have you ever tried silk gauze? I absolutely adore it and I think you might like it. If you haven't then send me your address again (It's been two moves since I have seen it) I will pop a sample in the mail to you so you can try it!