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







Monday, March 28, 2011

the beginning....

Another fragment is taking shape. I started this one last night whilst my third hook and eye piece was damp stretching. It's not even half way finished yet, more work definitely needed. A few more cutwork areas and lots more french knots. Tonight though I have one more muslin bag to make. The back of the third piece also needs to be done. Hook and eye fastenings, fourteen inch long opening....that's my evening sorted then
I have been out this morning looking for a cool blouse/shirt/top. Anything really so long as it's cool. As you know I am off to London on friday and for me London in summer, winter, anytime means only one thing and that's hot, hot, hot. I managed to get a long white short sleeved cotton thing which will suffice, as long as I'm cool I'm happy! You may be thinking, ''going away for the weekend with only one top??'' does she never wash? Well I actually have other things too, this is just a little back up, the reserve team so to speak.

13 comments:

Amanda Sheridan said...

Maybe the white top could do with some white French knots ;-)

Lois Evensen said...

I agree with Amanda that a white top with some white embroidery would be lovely. ;)

deanna7trees said...

nice that you keep to a plan. i don't seem to be able to stick to a plan. my wandering mind always takes over.

Carol Q said...

lovely, gorgeous, delicate.

Tammie Lee said...

i wish you a wonderful trip that is just right in temperature. hard for me to imagine hot, yesterday it snowed 'all day', it was like being in a snow globe full of fat white feathery flakes.

precious embroidery.

Elizabeth said...

I thought you weren't organized?!?!

Dolores said...

I love the new beginning. I do hope you find your top. I just bought myself one (I wasn't looking) because it was on sale and I hadn't bought anything new in such a long time. It's black and white plaid with 3/4 length sleeves and is made from crinkle cotton so it will travel well.

Storycloth said...

Love the way you have rolled these for the camera. Beautiful work as usual. Gilly

Jane said...

a delightful beginning

Joei Rhode Island said...

You know.....I just love your white work. It is so fresh.

Johoanna Robson said...

Are we talking London, England? Because I can't imagine London being hot at this time of year.

A white top sounds lovely. I wish I could wear white, but I wind up looking sick. I'm not sick, a little odd perhaps, but not sick.

Anonymous said...

It never ceases to amaze me that you have the patience for all those French knots - I'd go absolutely spare!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Your white top most definitely needs to be customized with some french knots and maybe even a fragment or two!!