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







Tuesday, January 18, 2011

text....

This morning I whiled away an hour waiting for the sun to come out by reducing my pile of ironing. Very productive I hear you say, well yes, but, when the sun did come out is was an inferior sun and only wanted me to have wishy washy photos. Once again I am apologising for images..
The text panel of white silk was damp stretched overnight. This is the start of my wedding piece for''A''. The second white piece for my throw was also damp stretched overnight so I would say all in all a good days work.
Later today I am going to add these finished pieces to my throw. It is getting exciting now, the end is almost in sight. I think there is another, small piece to make and then we are ready for backing. I don't think I will put rouleau loops on the edge. I am thinking more along the lines of knots and puffs. They are still to be made though so It won't be completely finished for a while yet. As for the Marimekko v gingham debate for the back...I adore Marimekko as you know but part of me wonders would it actually go with this? Is this not a little too ''homespun'' for a designer reverse? Oh dear, decisions, decisions....
I am also working on something that excites me yet scares me...It may not work but if you all cross your fingers (and those of you who can, your toes too) who knows. I can't wait to share but not yet, just incase it all goes horribly wrong!!

13 comments:

Elizabeth said...

Maybe you should ask yourself is Marimekko good enough for your asthonishing throw!!!!

Jane said...

As I expected, the text piece is stunning. I am sure it will be a treasured piece

Amelia said...

hi Karen,

I always think you have fantastic photos so there you go! :)

A.x

sylviesgarden said...

My goodness, the text is fabulous.
Your pictures always look great to me. I often wonder if you really live where I think you do because you seem to have much better light.
x

Karen said...

also...white is VERY difficult to photograph in the best of light...

vintagerockchick said...

More beautiful hand stitching - and good luck with your secret workings! x

Johoanna Robson said...

The white work embroidery is simply divine. You have lots of patience to work white on white like you do. And your photos always turn out just fine. Don't worry about the light, they look good to me.

Joei Rhode Island said...

Homespun! Sputter sputter....
Your piece is, of course, more than worthy. Lovely...

Suztats said...

I love the text! Wonderful whites, and ooooh, secrets! Now I'm wondering what you'll be up to next.

meandering pearl said...

Hello! thankyou for your little ray of sunshine, i've been so run off my feet!!! everytime i visit here i feel so rejuvenated, & wonderfully hopeful!!! your work inspires me so!!! lots of loveliness

monika@mysweetprairie.ca said...

Gorgeous again! :-)

John'aLee said...

Wow! That lettering is gorgeous! I once bought an antique quilt...and the lady had embroidered her name and date the quilt was made like you have done. That is the only other time I have seen anything like this. Beautiful!

Anonymous said...

So many variations in texture - even if the light wasn't as good as you might have hoped!