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, February 3, 2011

one down.....

The first piece off my waiting pile is now finished and in the shop. I have another three pieces waiting but I'm not sure, I'm undecided. Problem is for some resaon I made two of them in cream silk...I NEVER use cream silk so why I did that I don't know. That is putting me off a little as to me cream silk looks grubby and before you say anything it isn't grubby, honest, just looks that way to me.. back to this one, I made 12 puffs to run along one seam, not an edge but a seam. I like this piece a lot, in reality it is prettier than the camera shows and it's going to be a real pleasure having this lying around until somebody wants to adopt it.


My wedding piece has been put on hold for a day or two. The lady who it is for has sent me some lace that has been in the family for a long time. It is cream lace but I am going to try and bleach it so I can add some to the surface of the silk, a lovely way to put in that personal touch I think. Let's hope it works...
Guess what I might do later.....I am so excited. I've been putting it off because I didn't want the anticipation to end but I don't think I can hold out any longer....I might back my toe wrap!!!! It's scary really, don't ask me why it just is...mind you we are talking about someone who gets scared watching a quiz show incase they get the answer wrong!! When it's backed I will need to over stitch the edges on the right side (for no other reason than I like them that way) and add my puffs and knots so it won't be a quick exercise but at least my feet will be a little closer to being warm!!

14 comments:

Jane said...

Have fun finishing the toe wrap, I can't wait to see all the knots and puffs in position

sylviesgarden said...

I love those puffy things, they are so sweet.
I'm looking forward to seeing the toe wrap backed.
x

Anonymous said...

Warm toes are very important when you are sitting still stitching, and won't it be lovely to have something you made yourself!

connie said...

Oh, I love this piece. It makes me think Spring... Which is a great thing. It is fun to see your progression in these pieces. I finally found a place for the little piece you sent me. It is hanging on a small wall in my bedroom and everyday when I go in our room, there it is and it makes me smile. I had it in my studio but I did not look at it often enough. :-) Have a great day Karen.

Elizabeth said...

Oh how I love to read your embroidery ramblings.

Terri in BC said...

Be careful using bleach on old lace - it might it it away. I usually just soak for a couple of days and then lay the piece in the sun. I might have to do this a few times to get it lighter. You can also use an enzyme stain remover.

Karen said...

Hi Terri, I know, it's a very hit and miss process as the lace could rot. I'm just doung a tiny bit for now and keeping a close eye on it.

Joanna said...

Bicarbonate of soda is a gentler way of washing it

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/664731/3_ways_to_salvage_stained_antique_lace.html?cat=30

Might have to make myself a toe wrap too or maybe I shall have to knit myself some slippers, not that I am fond of slippers but I would rather have warm feet.

Your work is looking really pretty.

Anonymous said...

I use one of those sachet things made for cleaning lingerie when brightening old lace - seems to be quite gentle and works well. Love those cheerful little bobbles.

Helena said...

I love it!!!

Jan said...

Karen can I suggest you experiment with a small peice of the wedding lace first ,sorry if Im teaching you to suck eggs lol ,I love those puffs as always the peice is gorgeous ..love Jan xx

Christine said...

Karen, I agree with all the comments about using bleach on old lace. I've had very good results on many, many pieces of vintage and antique garments and laces with "grassing". I use mild detergent to gently wash the piece, rinse VERY well then lay it while wet directly on the grass in the sunlight. I hear you can have great results as well from laying them on the snow in the sun if you have it, LOL. May take a bit longer, but will definitely not rot or perish the lace. Good luck with whatever method you choose.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

This piece with all the little poufs is just plain fun!

Jacky said...

Oh that surface stitching below is just divine!
Yayyyy....backing the 'toe cloth'. How lovely it will be to drape it over yourself in your favourite chair.
Those puffs are gorgeous as ever.

Jacky xox