08/06/2022
paperwork
Someone asked me yesterday about my 'paperwork', they hadn't seen me working on any for some time.
If I work on a book, any book be it a notebook or artist book, stitching into the pages, to me that counts as paperwork.
But this person was asking about my more 'stand alone' pieces of embroidered paper which spurred me on to have a look back at those.
The images today are just a minute selection of this work, some of them discovered on my old blog.
Did you know I had an old blog? If you're interested you can find it here.
Meanwhile, looking at these has got me thinking....KO-Fi girls....we may well be doing some of this soon.
Posted at 01:16 PM in embroidered paper, embroidery, paperwork | Permalink | Comments (7)
Tags: embroidered paper, paper
08/05/2022
progressing white, paper and lace
The three white pieces here are from this post where they were unfinished.
They still aren't finished but all have been further embellished with hand embroidery.
Today I'm considering finishing touches, auditioning titivations.
These pieces will form part of the embellishment pockets each member of my stash tier will receive twice yearly.
There are a couple of places left in that tier if you are interested in joining 'sewing circle'.
The basic tier where I post monthly stitching videos has unlimited membership and for only 5 pounds a month members of that tier receive at least one hour of demonstration video monthly.
You can read more about all three of my 'sewing circle' membership tiers here.
Posted at 01:16 PM in embroidered lace, embroidered paper, embroidery, Ko-Fi, online learning, white | Permalink | Comments (4)
Tags: embroidery, lace, online learning, paper, white
08/03/2022
a corner
Do you remember this post where I said the hand made, oversized Suffolk puffs were going to go on an edge of my finished cloth?
And do you remember my post from yesterday where I said my cloth would not be finished for a few days?
I was wrong on both counts.
I finished edging this cloth late last night, hand closing all four sides.
The Suffolk puffs were placed on an edge but there was a corner screaming at me so that's where they now live.
This one is now completely finished and I have a proper home for it which I will speak to you about in a couple of days.
Posted at 11:37 AM in embroidery, Suffolk puffs, wrapping cloth | Permalink | Comments (5)
Tags: embroidery, Suffolk puffs, wrapping cloth
08/02/2022
embellishing white
For the past couple of days I have been piecing some white, lace and paper mostly.
These pieces will form part of my 'stockpile' for the work those in my 'stash' level will receive twice a year.
I'm a little hindered progress wise though as my sewing machine is at the sewing machine hospital and it's been one week and one day so far....not that I'm counting....aaargh
I have put my wrapping cloth to one side for now, (the edges will take me another day to finish I think), I have put it to one side so I can make progress with the white using the bits I have here whilst I wait for the sewing machine.
Posted at 12:43 PM in embroidery, Ko-Fi, white | Permalink | Comments (5)
Tags: embroidery, Ko-Fi, white, white on white
07/31/2022
two in progress and continuing the wrapping cloth
My table today, it's an 'in progress' table.
The two smaller pieces are very much in their infancy, the piece with the large square being started in my new online subscription venture.
Also here, my wrapping cloth. You may remember I am now working on hand finishing the edges, the open sides.
You can see the buttonhole stitch I am using in these images.
This is very time consuming and I am only just over half way round.
The layers are all tied now though and there is a beautiful weight to this piece, it's a joy to handle and to work on.
Posted at 12:55 PM in embroidery, Ko-Fi, patches, wrapping cloth | Permalink | Comments (2)
Tags: embroidery, patchwork, wrapping cloth
07/29/2022
the next page
The next page in this little notebook is now getting some attention.
It's early days and I'm not keen on the droopy yarn at the bottom so will have to come up with a plan to secure that piece.
I deliberately didn't add bullion knots there but I'm thinking I need them after all unless I come up with another idea.
Posted at 12:45 PM in artist books, embroidery, notebook stitching | Permalink | Comments (4)
Tags: artist book, embroidered paper, embroidery, notebook stitching
07/27/2022
Finishing a wrapping cloth
I was going to say 'almost there' but in truth I'm quite a way off finishing this one.
Yesterday I sandwiched, embroidered top, wadding middle and cloth backing.
I was able to allow the pleated piece from here to extend from the edge.
For now it is pinned and I started to hand close the four sides last night.
I am now going to put that on hold until I have tied my layers.
Yesterday I also embroidered some oversized Suffolk puffs which will adorn one of the edges....it's coming but it's not quite there yet!
Subscription 'Sewing Circle' update.
My new venture is growing and I am really grateful to those of you who are supporting me in this.
There has been some feedback regarding the monthly payment process for this learning programme and some of you are not comfortable with that option.
In terms of viewing video on the new site 'Ko-Fi' I am unable to accept any other form of payment but I've had my thinking cap on and am able to offer 6 months of these monthly videos for a payment of £30 GBP.
The difference here is instead of viewing video and images on Ko-Fi these will be sent directly to your email inbox.
Basically, you will get everything I post on Ko-Fi but instead of accessing that media through that website it will be delivered to your inbox.
I do hope that makes sense but if you have any questions please don't hesitate to mail me.
You can register for the six monthly option here.
Posted at 01:43 PM in embroidery, Ko-Fi, online learning, Suffolk puffs, wrapping cloth | Permalink | Comments (2)
Tags: embroidery, ko-fi, online learning, suffolk puffs, wrapping cloth
07/25/2022
hand embroidery, a note book
These pages were started quite recently in my 'chat' and above tiers on my subscription online learning site.
I had barely touched them here but over the past couple of days more has been added and I am happy with how these pages are evolving.
Thank you so much for the response to my last post.
The top of this cloth is now finished and I am thinking through my options for backing and should I or should I not add wadding or similar.
Decisions decisions.
Posted at 01:04 PM in embroidery, Ko-Fi, notebook stitching, online learning, paper | Permalink | Comments (3)
Tags: embroidered paper, notebook stitching, online learning
07/23/2022
just seams
Finishing seams has to be one of my favourite aspects when it comes to creating a wrapping cloth, there is so much more potential to embellish.
Creating each panel is exciting and then there is a realisation you haven't finished with the adorning.
There are three seam finishes in these images with pompoms being the third in the last image.
I have also had wrapped more buttons for another seam, yes there is another one, more than one actually.
Posted at 12:57 PM in buttons, embroidery, pom poms, seam, wrapping cloth | Permalink | Comments (5)
Tags: buttons, embroidery, pompoms, seams, wrapping cloth
07/21/2022
the final two pieces
The final two pieces which complete my wrapping cloth are finished.
The pleated floral section will hopefully extend from the edge once the backing is in place.
The other piece here should just slot in the final space and as soon as my backing fabric arrives I should be good to go.
I am still undecided as to whether I should add a soft layer in the middle of this, between the front and the reverse. I think I will play with that idea and see how the embroidered top piece responds to that.
I've had a couple of querys about the subscription service to this blog. My usual subscription service has closed but I spent some time setting up a new one a few weeks ago and there is a link to that on the right hand side of this page (the envelope)
You can also use this link.
Also, I am starting to post regularly on my new Ko-Fi site. That place won't replace this blog but you might like to pop over there sometime and take a look. You do not have to subscribe to my online learning to access that page, you can merely follow me for free and be notified when I post new content.
That link is here.
Going back to my wrapping cloth....I was wrong when I said I'd be good to go as soon as the backing cloth arrives. I still need to embellish a few seams so that's what you will most likely see next time.
Posted at 01:11 PM in embroidery, pleating, wrapping cloth | Permalink | Comments (1)
Tags: embroidery, pleating, wrapping cloth
07/19/2022
chat and stash
We held the first Zoom sessions of my new subscription class yesterday. We chatted, we stitched, (we melted in the heat....those of us in the UK) and I produced this!
It needs more work, a lot more embroidery but so far so good.
Today I have been gathering 'bits', small pieces for sample packs which get sent out to those in my 'stash' tier.
These packs are sent on registration and are literally just 'samples'. Those in this tier will receive more substantial pieces of work every 6 months.
For the rest of today i'll be working on my wrapping cloth. I had intended to make lace cloth and stitch papers but it's far too hot to be slaving over a sewing machine.
Stay cool.....
Posted at 01:01 PM in artist books, buttons, embroidery, Ko-Fi, online learning | Permalink | Comments (5)
07/18/2022
hand embroidery, learn with me
Posted at 04:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
07/17/2022
coming together
Another panel finished for this wrapping cloth, pictured here to show how it fits.
Last time I showed you this I said I needed two more panels before it could be lined and backed. This new one is 'one'.....I still think I need two more.
I'm more than happy about that.....
(KO-FI girls, your Zoom invitations are on the way)
Posted at 01:09 PM in embroidery, wrapping cloth | Permalink | Comments (2)
Tags: embroidery, wrapping cloth
07/15/2022
hand embroidered buttons and happy mail
Six hand embroidered buttons with ribbon ties....they can also lose the ribbon and be attached using little buttonhole loops which are embroidered on the edge.
Also today, my happy mail! More coton a broder and new business/postcards.
It's a very long time since I had any printed business cards.
Somehow I didn't think I needed any but I do think I need them now for this new venture.
Posted at 02:41 PM in buttons, embroidery, Ko-Fi | Permalink | Comments (4)
07/13/2022
embellishing seams
In my last post I promised an update of progress on my wrapping cloth.
In truth not a lot has happened but I have attached a small panel to one edge and embellished the seams with dangly things and bullion knots.
This edge needs two more panels and then I think I will be ready to back this maybe adding a soft flannel central layer too.
The small embellished fabric discs I have used here will be demonstrated in my next 'monthly sewing circle' video.
Monthly videos are part of my new subscription online learning venture and you can read more about that here.
Posted at 01:24 PM in embellish, embroidery, seam, wrapping cloth | Permalink | Comments (3)
Tags: embellish, embroider, seams, wrapping cloth
07/11/2022
buttons and hand made braids
My table at the moment, in progress, buttons and hand made braids.
By the way.....it's too hot, I'm melting. Totally irrelevant to embroidery but I had to share.
Most of the pieces I am working on at the moment are related to my new subscription only website.
It's early days for that and I'm playing catch up already.
My wrapping cloth is also being worked on in the background and it may be that I share progress on that next time.
(I updated the subscriber page today, can you let me know if you were notified by Ko-Fi)
Posted at 01:35 PM in buttons, embroidery, Ko-Fi, online learning | Permalink | Comments (7)
Tags: braid, buttons, embroidery, ko-fi
07/09/2022
stash building
Blimey, it's busy here today.
I'm building up my stash on account of members of my 'stash tier' waiting for their little sample packs.
In addition to that I'm measuring silk for buttons (no image) and finishing the next panel for my wrapping cloth.
(the piece with the circular motifs)
Oh and I nearly forgot....I'm trying to create business cards!
I think it's time to put the kettle on.
Posted at 12:52 PM in embroidery | Permalink | Comments (3)
Tags: embroidered paper, embroidered trim, embroidery
07/08/2022
Friday
I've been AWOL this week haven't I. Sorry about that.
You might have guessed the reason, babies.
I have been in London minding Stanley and in an effort to convert him we had a little trip to Liberty.
You can see he was impressed.
I will see my other little man on Monday and boy has Sonny grown in a week!!
Health and safety info.....I am not responsible for that cup of tea. I wasn't even there!!
And I only drink black coffee.
Now you are up to date with baby news, embroidery.
In truth I have done very little this week.
I intend to bury myself in embroidery over the weekend making things for my 'stash' tier girls in my new subscription group.
There will be variations of the following,
And now another plug for my new venture. Five pounds a month for stitching videos....what's not to love.
You can read more here
Posted at 12:54 PM in embroidery, Ko-Fi, online learning | Permalink | Comments (3)
Tags: embroidery, Ko-Fi, online learning
07/04/2022
three patches and a new panel for my wrapping cloth
Phew.....what a mad 24 hours! Thank you so much to all of you who have supported my new teaching venture so far.
I can't tell you how grateful I am, honestly, you're amazing!
(I will speak more about this at the end of this post but first, embroidery.)
There are three new patches here and a new panel for my wrapping cloth.
That piece is turning into the never ending wrapping cloth as when I think I'm done I just have to make one more piece!
Making that one more piece means I need more pieces and on it goes.
It's a good thing I love creating these because truly this one could go on forever.
Back to my new teaching venture. The patches are a part of that. (it's early days, I have plans for these)
The image below is a reminder of my new format and you can read more here.
I also plan to transfer everything from my Big Cartel shop to this site very soon.
Posted at 01:09 PM in embroidery, Ko-Fi, online learning, patches, wrapping cloth | Permalink | Comments (2)
Tags: embroidery, Ko-Fi, online learning, patches
07/03/2022
subscription only online learning
My new 'subscription only' online learning opportunity is now live.
You can read all about it here.
Thank you for hanging in there x.
Posted at 12:38 PM in embroidery, online learning | Permalink | Comments (1)
Tags: Ko-Fi, onliner learning, subscription only
07/02/2022
from paperwork to patches
There is a new idea brewing, another theme and almost definitely another distraction, patches.
Not cloth patches, patches inspired by, mirroring and mimicking past work.
The large patch here is number 6. The small piece with trailing ribbon is number 2.
I will be (not exclusively, there will be other things happening too) developing this work and creating a new type of patchwork in my subscription only forum which I am hoping will go live tomorrow!
(more details tomorrow)
Posted at 01:14 PM in embroider, embroidery, paper, paperwork, patches | Permalink | Comments (4)
Tags: embroidery, paper, patches
06/30/2022
Bullion knots
Following on from yesterdays post, I have posted two public videos on my new page today.
The image here is my wrapping cloth, it's almost there. Two more panels and I think it will be ready for backing.
Posted at 12:51 PM in bullion knots, embroidery, wrapping cloth | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tags: bullion knots, embroidery, wrapping cloth
06/29/2022
isolating design
Hi everyone, how have you been?
I had a few days in London with my new grandson and then last night ticked a huge thing off my bucket list.....I watched Diana Ross live.
What an incredible experience, one I still can't believe has happened.
Now it's back to embroidery and my plans for a subscription only website.
In the image today I have a viewfinder which I am using to isolate different areas of my stitched work with a view to expanding those areas.
This work is the start of my thought process for my subscription plans.
I have managed to form the basic area of my new site and you can see that here.
The membership levels aren't visible yet as I am still tweaking those but tomorrow I am hoping to post a free video on there as a 'warm up' exercise.
I had hoped to have the membership levels ready for this weekend but I'm not sure that will happen now. Every time I tick something off my list I find I need to add something else to the bottom of the list as this is a huge learning curve for me.
Please hang in there if you are one of the people who has expressed an interest in my new venture.
It's coming, it's definitely coming but I want it to be right.
Posted at 01:11 PM in design, embroidery | Permalink | Comments (1)
Tags: design, embroidery, ko fi
06/25/2022
pleats and a pocket
When I start a wrapping cloth there is no plan. Initially I create rectangles of embroidered cloth, different sizes but generally no bigger that ten by twelve inches, often smaller.
Once I have a few embroidered panels I begin the joining process. I get very excited at this stage by the seams, the possibilities for embellishment.
At the next stage measuring becomes inportant as pieces are created to fill space.
I have been at that stage with this cloth for a couple of weeks now and today you can see the latest panel.
Up to now I haven't measured this cloth but that's not important to me. It will be finished when it's finished.
(I rarely aim for a set size)
Work is happening in the background for my 'subscription' based online learning idea.
You'd be surprised at how much 'technological' stuff has to happen for these things to go live.
So far I have a home page, screenshot below.
Please ignore the donate feature. I'm not sure I can remove that, the html code for that section is embedded in the page before you begin.
Content for my membership tiers needs to be created along with some freebies which will be offered with the highest tier.
I'm also giving a lot of thought to a 'yearly sewing retreat' which will be offered as an extra.
Meanwhile I am off to London tomorrow for a few days so I'm guessing nothing will be live until at least the end of next week.
I will of course post on here when everything is good to go.
Posted at 01:00 PM in embroidery, pleating, pocket, wrapping cloth | Permalink | Comments (7)
Tags: embroidery, pleats, pocket, wrapping cloth
06/23/2022
what's new, my latest wrapping cloth.
If you have been following me over the last weeks you will have a very good appreciation of the progress I am making with this wrapping cloth.
The long band I showed you here is now attached with a seam of bullion knots and little clusters of tiny pompoms whilst another seam has been embellished with single pompoms, alternating blue and white.
What's next? Later today I will assess how many panels I need to complete this, how big they need to be and make decisions re the surface embellishment of those panels.
Posted at 12:52 PM in embroidery, wrapping cloth | Permalink | Comments (2)
Tags: embroidery, wrapping cloth
06/21/2022
details
Another panel has been added to this cloth. The seam? I resisted beads and pompoms, I made Suffolk puffs instead.
There's quite a lot going on here. There are half flower garden motifs, padded applique, pleating, embroidered knots and don't forget the beads and little pompoms that are out of shot.
The band from this post is now attached too using a combination of straight stitch and bullion loops.
I will show you that next time.
There are also plans for pompoms on there.
***
Thank you for the feedback re my 'subscription only' blog question.
I am in the middle of putting something together and will let you know just as soon as it's ready for public viewing.
Posted at 01:11 PM in details, embroidery, Suffolk puffs | Permalink | Comments (2)
Tags: details, embroidery, suffolk puffs
06/19/2022
hand embroidered wide edge binding
My need to damp stretch this piece was greater then my reluctance to cut it up.
This is the binding I mentioned in yesterdays post.
It's now damp stretching in two pieces.
I do have a larger damp stretching board but it's not accessible at the moment and my impatience got the better of me.
It's actually a win too because I now have another seam to adorn when this is rejoined.
You know how I love to adorn a seam.
*****
Now a question.
How much interest is there in a subscription only blog as a replacement for my online classes?
I'm thinking three tiers of subscription, each with appropriate benefits, the highest tier including the most.
If you are familiar with Patreon it would work in a similar form.
Any thoughts will be very much appreciated.
Posted at 01:16 PM in edges, embroidery, wrapping cloth | Permalink | Comments (14)
Tags: binding, edge, embroidery, wrapping cloth
06/18/2022
beaded edges and tiny pompoms for a seam
Happy Saturday everyone. How are you?
I'm still suffering from jet lag but hopefully normal service will now resume here with more regular posting.
I have added to this cloth since I got back, there is a seam of tiny pompoms which is clearly visible in the third image running across the top of the little wrapped buttons.
I have then beaded the edge of a pleated white section which you can see laid out in the first image.
In addition to these newly embellished areas there is a new panel with half flower garden applique and some padded areas edged with bullion knots and chain stitch.
Not pictured here is an embroidered band I am working on for another edge of this piece. I hope to share that with you soon.
It's likely that seam, where the band joins the main body of the cloth, will also be embellished with tiny pompoms or beads.
Thanks for hanging in here whilst I have been jet setting, it's much appreciated and don't forget girls from class (or classes) I am here if you need me.
Posted at 01:51 PM in beads, edges, embroidery, pom poms, wrapping cloth | Permalink | Comments (5)
Tags: beads, edges, embroidery, pompoms, seams, wrapping cloth
06/14/2022
prep
I'm back...a brief hello.
I hope you're all well.
I had a fabulous holiday, gained a daughter in law and spent quality time with my babies, (images at the foot of this link)
Now I have a mountain of laundry to tackle and an exciting day on Thursday to prepare for.
My house is adorned with hanging embroidery, all gathered to be taken somewhere later this week.
Normal service will resume here in a few days.
05/26/2022
hand covered buttons for a seam
Last time I was here I mentioned hand made buttons for a particular seam....here they are.
Also today, a new panel. There is still a lot of work to do on this cloth.
I want to titivate the seams a little more and more panels are needed too.
Next week I am going here then here.
I'm not sure I will be back before I go so I will see you on the other side.
Posted at 12:51 PM in buttons, embroidery, wrapping cloth | Permalink | Comments (4)
Tags: embroidery, hand bound buttons, wrapping cloth
05/24/2022
hexagons and ribbon
The next panel for my cloth is a planned piece. By that I mean it is a specific size to fit a specific space on my cloth.
This kind of accuracy doesn't happen until I near the end of creating a wrapping cloth, I am very relaxed at the start, no measuring, no planning.
This panel has a little patchwork along with a vintage embroidered strip attached with bullion knots which also serves as a channel for ribbon. I have then added a small flounce which came from a dolls dress, (the white piece).
I think I will adorn the seam for this one with hand made buttons, the seam where I join it to the actual cloth.
Watch this space.
Posted at 01:30 PM in embroidery, hexagons, ribbon, wrapping cloth | Permalink | Comments (1)
Tags: embroidery, hexagons, ribbon, wrapping cloth
05/22/2022
it's got a pocket
My wrapping cloth now has a pocket, a simple pocket of patterned cloth tucked in a seam.
Two new panels are now attached and today I am measuring out and developing the next one.
When I begin a wrapping cloth I don't measure my panels but when it all starts to come together I begin to make precise sized pieces.
It becomes a little like a puzzle......I prefer it this way.
Posted at 12:37 PM in embroidery, pocket, wrapping cloth | Permalink | Comments (3)
Tags: embroidery, wrapping cloth
05/21/2022
finished, an artist book
This artist book is finished, it even has its own little bag to keep it safe.
I was on a self imposed deadline for this piece which I reached with a week to spare.
Now I am going to concentrate on my wrapping cloth.
Posted at 12:37 PM in artist books, embroidery | Permalink | Comments (5)
Tags: artist book, embroidery
05/19/2022
I've got the pleating bug....
If you were here yesterday you probably won't be surprised to see more pleating, it's becoming addictive.
This piece will go on another panel for my wrapping cloth.
And do you remember this? The long wrap I was working on in order to finish my latest artist book? That is also laid here, unfinished but almost......
Posted at 12:41 PM in artist books, embroidery | Permalink | Comments (6)
Tags: artist book, embroidery, pleating
05/18/2022
pleated, another wrapping cloth panel
This is the latest panel for my new wrapping cloth.
Patterned fabric has been pleated before being attached with buttonhole stitch and tiny pom poms have been placed at the lower edge of the pleated piece.
It is photographed here alongside the ongoing wrapping cloth but I have yet to decide where it will actually be placed.
There is still a lot of white space on this piece so it will need more embellishment before I make that decision.
It's a few days since I was here. How are you all? I have been taking care of some family stuff but should now be consistenly present for the next week or so .
Posted at 12:45 PM in embroidery, wrapping cloth | Permalink | Comments (1)
Tags: embroidery, pleating, wrapping cloth
05/14/2022
artist book update
You last saw this little book here. It has moved on since then, another page has been worked and the larger piece in these images is a wraparound cover. there is still work to do on that and I also intend to make a little bag for this, to protect the delicate papers.
Once this is finished, ticked off the list it will be back to my wrapping cloth and my vintage quilt repair.
Thank you for the feedback regarding the quilt repair.
There have been lots of suggestions, all of which make perfect sense and some 0f which especially excite me.
Thing is, I think I know what James is going to say......I think he is just going to want it left alone once the binding is reattached.
I will let you know what he says.
(scroll to the bottom for a baby update!)
The light of my days...I wish there was a heart emoji.
Stanley, now 4 months old.
Sonny, 13 weeks old.
Posted at 10:59 AM in artist books, embroidery, paper | Permalink | Comments (2)
Tags: artist book, embroidery
05/12/2022
two posts for the price of one....
I want to share two things today, the first is progress with my wrapping cloth.
Two more samples have been added to this piece and all the seams are now hand stitched.
The next step is to create more panels for this but first I must finish my little book.
Part two today concerns a vintage baby quilt which was second or third hand when I acquired it for my son way back in 1987.
If you have 3 minutes to spare please watch the video. I would love to know your thoughts.
Posted at 12:55 PM in embroidery, video, wrapping cloth | Permalink | Comments (7)
Tags: embroidery, video, vintage quilt, wrapping cloth
05/10/2022
new, hand made artist book
This little book has been evolving over the last couple of days. Each page measures 3 inches wide and 5 inches in height.
It's quite a long time since I have put one of these together and I had forgotten how time consuming it is.
That isn't a problem, I embrace 'time consuming'.
But for eaxmple if you have a 4 page book, you will need 8 pieces of pieced laces and papers, followed by dense hand embroidery and added titivations before it all comes together.
And when it does start to come together......sigh.....
Posted at 01:04 PM in artist books, embroidery | Permalink | Comments (5)
Tags: artist book, embroidery, paper
05/08/2022
coming together, a wrapping cloth.
A section of the sample you saw here has now become part of a new wrapping cloth.
I create a lot of samples, some are developed and worked into cloth sample books, others become an integral part of a wrapping cloth.
I do create wrapping cloths from scratch so to speak, focused, planned, coordinated but alongside those pieces I create wrapping cloths from randomly created samples.
If you feel like getting lost down a rabbit hole you can see more of my wrapping cloths here.
Also, at the foot of this post, a paragraph I wrote some time ago explaining the 'wrapping cloth' or my definition of the wrapping cloth.
So, what is a wrapping cloth? The important thing here is what a wrapping cloth means to me. Many cultures have variations of the wrapping cloth, usually they are stitched specifically to 'wrap' something precious, an artefact, jewellery, heirlooms. For me however a wrapping cloth is very personal. It began when I was studying in the early 2000's, when I was researching the history of cloth and specifically it's place in the life of humans.
From swaddling newborn infants, early settlers across the world making quilts to keep their families warm to nomadic tribes wrapping themselves in skins and blankets as protection from the elements it was evident that for us, for humans, cloth was a vehicle for protection. Don't forget too...shrouds, cloth also protects us at the end of our life.
Wrapped up in my research, my thought process was my relationship with my children and how all mothers wish to protect their children.
So to me a wrapping cloth is symbolic of my desire to protect my children and keep them safe.
My wrapping cloths aren't functional, they are purely decorative.
I have lost count of how many I have made. My early wrapping cloths were made from silk. The reason for that being silk is precious as are my children.
Over time I have created cloths from other fabrics, natural fibres, cotton mostly but have introduced colour too.
I no longer have posession of all my wrapping cloths. My daughter has one as does my mother, my aunt, my niece and my godson.
Posted at 01:34 PM in embroidery | Permalink | Comments (2)
Tags: embroidery, wrapping cloth
05/06/2022
04/26/2022
fifteen by six inches
Last time you saw this I mentioned I was aiming for a single bed size quilt.
Seeing as how they measure somewhere in the region of 53 x 78 inches and this piece measures approximately 15 x 6 inches there's still a way to go.
I should perhaps have started this piece when I was twelve years old.
(in the past comments have been made about the basting on my hexagons....too much, not done correctly. I am a great believer in doing what is right for you personally, no judgements, this is supposed to be a pleasurable pastime not a test. What can I say...I over baste everything, there's a nagging voice saying 'what if it comes undone'. It's a curse. I hope you don't have it too.)
I'm off again this week....won't be here until next Tuesday or Wednesday.
Registration will remain open for 'a sampler's cloth' which begins next Monday. (videos and first stitches already done)
High five to me!
Posted at 02:01 PM in embroidery, patchwork | Permalink | Comments (5)
Tags: embroidery, patchwork
04/25/2022
paper and stitch
Posted at 12:44 PM in embroidered paper, embroidery | Permalink | Comments (1)
Tags: embroidered paper, embroidery
04/23/2022
resources
A question I am often asked is 'what do you do with the pieces you create'.
I rarely sell my work, the act of making gives me a connection to my pieces which I find hard to sever.
I am able occasionally to part with some pieces if they start life as 'something to sell' but otherwise I keep them.
(something to sell doesn't mean less thought, less time spent, less quality, it just means I am mentally prepared from the start to part with the piece)
That isn't the end of them though, they tend not to languish unnoticed, they are invaluable as resources for my teaching as illustrated here.
These pieces have been laid out, visible to me, for the past few days as instruction and inspiration for 'a sampler's cloth'.
This new online learning programme begins in just over a week and the first videos were made this morning.
I am very excited!!
Posted at 12:51 PM in big cartel, embroidery, online learning | Permalink | Comments (2)
Tags: Big Cartel, embroidery, online learning
04/22/2022
edges, embroidered papers
Following on from my last post, I'm planning the edges of these paper sheets which hold my gingham samples.
Keeping the gingham theme going I'm auditioning little gingham suffolk puffs.
I still need to tie these on but it works for me....
Posted at 01:10 PM in edges, embroidered paper, embroidery, gingham, Suffolk puffs | Permalink | Comments (3)
Tags: edges, embroidered paper, gingham, paper, suffolk puffs
04/20/2022
gingham
I always struggle a little between classes with what pieces to work on, beginning new pieces etc. My instinct is to begin work for my next class but I often get carried away and make too much progress.
That's a problem because progress needs to be demonstrated in class and if it's already done, well......
This time I have decided to begin the finishing process for past class work, namely my stitch samples which are worked on gingham.
The larger pieces are being mounted on stitched papers, that process started some time ago.
There are small samples too and it's those I am working with now.
The new work here is the green gingham with applique and two rows of web stitches.
This piece will hopefully evolve into a cloth cover for those smaller sample pieces.
My next class, 'a samplers cloth' begins in less than two weeks.
You can read more about it here.
Posted at 12:49 PM in embroidery, gingham | Permalink | Comments (1)
Tags: embroidery, gingham
04/18/2022
one inch hexies
This project is continuing, a couple of hours here and there.
I reckon it will be at least 12 months until it is even remotely near the size I am aiming for.
(single bed size)
The grandmothers flower garden pieces are photographed here on old sketchbook pages.
Keep going Karen, crack on.
A samplerscloth, my new online learning programme begins two weeks from today.
If you would like to know more the information is here.
Thank you so much to those who have signed up already x.
Posted at 12:45 PM in embroidery, hexagons, patchwork | Permalink | Comments (4)
Tags: embroidery, hexagons, patchwork
04/16/2022
developing design
Posted at 12:49 PM in artist books, embroidered paper, embroidery, surface design | Permalink | Comments (5)
Tags: artist book, embroidered paper, embroidery, surface design
04/14/2022
beaded edge and box pleats
I've been working more in this notebook, box pleats, a beaded edge, hand embroidery stitches.
I am trying to avoid more sampling for 'a samplers cloth' because if I don't stop my work will be finished before class even begins!!
Posted at 01:07 PM in beads, embroidered paper, embroidery, paper, pleating | Permalink | Comments (3)
Tags: beads, box pleats, embroidered notebook, embroidery, notebook, paper
04/12/2022
scattering
There was quite a bit of white space on this piece last time you saw it.
That space now has a scattering of little flowers, web stitches with bullion and French knots.
It occured to me when I was editing these images that perhaps a few French knots are needed along the cream coloured trim in the centre.
That's next on the list.
04/11/2022
paper, sampling, stitch
I picked this up again yesterday, an excuse to play with some paper I bought in London.
When I got home late on Saturday there was a birthday to celebrate.
Today is another opportunity for me to say happy birthday James!
There is so much love for you, from the people who surround you and who also delight in your new life as daddy to Sonny.
Besides birthdays and cake there has been some domestic catch up to see to and today that continues but I am almost there!
Back to the book....it's been present quite a bit recently and if you missed those posts you can see them here and here.
Three weeks from today my new class begins, 'a sampler's cloth'. You can read more about that here.
If you're busy in May you have nothing to worry about as you have access to the class forever once you sign up.
Take your time, leave it for winter.
Whenever you decide to start the stitching you also have access to me forever too.
and if you do sign up, a massive heartfelt thanks for supporting my little, tiny, teeny embroidery school. xxx
Posted at 12:49 PM in artist books, embroidery, paper, stitched notebook | Permalink | Comments (2)
Tags: embroidery, embroidery on paper, grids and guides notebook, paper, stitch
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