08/23/2025
08/15/2025
Paper doll play
Following on from my post yesterday....
Don't worry, I have no intention of destroying the paper doll sheet for use in collage.
I can print it and rip the print up or......
I can trace it.
I'm tracing it at the moment and intend to embellish each little three and a half inch cut out with a mixture of collage and embroidery.
I'm excited!
I can't wait to get stuck in to this one.
More thoughts in the video below.
08/14/2025
Inspiration
The book on the left I bought earlier this week.
The paper doll sheet I bought in a Paris flea market earlier this year.
I am itching to do something with both of them.
There are a few bits here I have gathered which may become a part of that.
Starting point? Collage I think.
(I must admit though I am very reluctant to rip the paper doll sheet)
08/12/2025
Sketchbooks
Lots of images today.
Old work.
Sketchbooks is the title but really it's a mix, sketchbooks (design work), colour studies, doodles.
(more chat at the end of this post)
Lately I haven't been devoting as much time as I would like to my creativity.
This really troubles me, embroidery etc truly keeps me going and I feel painfully deprived if anything gets in the way of that.
When I have had time I devote myself to my girls in class and when I do that it replaces the buzz I miss from everything else.
I honestly would be nothing at the moment if my girls weren't keeping me going.
Life gets in the way doesn't it.
I've had a ton of personal stuff going on, it continues too I guess but I am going to try and prioritise myself for a little while and see how that works out.
Most of the work here is almost twenty years old from my days at University.
(There is so much more of this. These images are only about a tenth of my collection)
I always return to these pieces, and others from that time when I need to give myself a boost.
Hopefully it's onwards and upwards from today.
Wish me luck.
08/06/2025
A hoop of embroidered gingham.
Yesterday I said next up would be gingham and here it is.
An embroidered gingham panel.
It's not finished, I'm probably only half way.
If you've been following this project then you may know, this piece could find itself attached to either of two completed panels to form another cloth page for that cloth book.
Perhaps this one, or this piece from yesterday.
08/05/2025
An extra large embroidery hoop
Another completed embroidered panel for this project.
I say completed, it still needs to be damp stretched.
Does it clash? I think it probably does and that's a good thing, that's what I was aiming for.
Next up....gingham.
07/29/2025
a silk ribbon edge
This panel is now finished.
A simple strip of silk ribbon has been attached to one edge, a contrast.
This isn't yet a finished page for my cloth book.
At least one more panel needs to be created and added to this.
I'm thinking gingham...an unexpected addition maybe?
07/27/2025
Paper sampling, a video.
There has been a lot of sampling on here recently...sampling with cloth.
Today it's sampling with paper and hand stitch, a vital part of the design process.
Little cards, thread wraps, fabric swatches, embroidery stitches.
I find these little pieces of exploration so appealing and inspiring.
07/26/2025
more embroidered samples
I'm constantly thinking about this sample collection and how best to present/display it.
As part of that process I'm looking at 'old' sample collections and how they have been presented, finished.
These were todays resources.
07/25/2025
details
Five images today, a few close ups.
The panel from yesterday has been joined to another piece using twelve wrap bullion knots.
Edges have been bound with strips of Liberty fabric.
In the first image you can see the start of another panel, a new page.
I'm not sure I'll ever stop making these pages....
07/24/2025
Bullion knots and sequins
The start of a new panel for my cloth book.
I was anxious to add bullion knots with sequins to this one after I had worked this piece.
The next stage here is to create another small piece to add to this one as each page in my cloth book will consist of two or three small panels stitched together.
07/21/2025
an edge
I do love a Suffolk puff.
I also love to titvate the edges of embroidered work.
Extra large embroidered Suffolk puffs?
I'll definitely be making more.
07/18/2025
Embroidery, a small hoop.
There's a little bit of stash building going on here.
Not just with trimmings as mentioned yesterday but with little embroidered snippets too.
These small stitched pieces are invaluable for artist books and also as applique embellishments on embroidered cloth.
And sequins....I haven't used sequins for a while. Maybe I'll use them a little more often now.
07/17/2025
A hand made trimming
This panel with woven ribbon has been added to.
Single octagons are edged with French knots and a strip of trim has been placed along the lower edge.
The trim is hand made.
I speak a lot about having a stash, that applies to trimmings and ribbon like pieces along with buttons and other embellishments.
My trimming stash however is looking depleted so I need to crack on and create more.
07/14/2025
gathering
I've been gathering my embroidered pages for the new cloth book.
I'm thinking about the finishing of this piece. How to join them? decoratively or simply?
I'm also not sure I'm finished.
There could be more embroidered pages to come.
07/13/2025
Two videos, lace cloth.
Two videos today.
The first of these has been on here before, a quick look at the creation of lace cloth.
The second, filmed this morning, is embroidery on a lace cloth surface.
Although the lace cloth today differs from the piece made in the first video, my approach to the embellishment is the same.
A quick glimpse at the creation of lace cloth.
Embroidery on lace cloth.
07/12/2025
Surfaces......embroidery.
Two hand embroidered pieces.
The first is the front cover for a new needlecase we are making in class.
I'm hoping to start the lining for that one tomorrow.
The second is the start of a new page for a cloth book which is 'in progress'.
That one needs more work, a lot more work.
07/01/2025
Six pages
Six hand embroidered pages for my new cloth book.
They aren't 'in progress', they are finished and waiting for number seven.
It may be a couple of weeks before number seven takes shape though as I'm going away for a few days.
Have fun while I'm gone!
06/30/2025
Woven ribbon for an edge.
This piece has been added to.
Heavy ribbon has been woven and attached just below the vintage white trim and secured with clusters of French knots.
There is a contrast in weights here which you can't fully appreciate until you hold it in your hands.
The next step is to add another panel to the upper area of the white piece.
06/28/2025
A little pocket and a handkerchief for an edge.
There was a space to fill at the edge of this piece.....
A cut strip from a vintage hankie fills the gap perfectly.
I then secured little embroidered tokens along the surface and hey presto.
06/26/2025
A new embroidered surface.
This is a new piece started this week in class.
I can't show you much more yet but I hope to soon.
Embroidery stitches used up to now are French knots, chain stitch and running stitch.
06/24/2025
Embroidery, applique and lace.
Oversized applique! Embroidered silk stitched to white cloth, the start of page six of this project.
There is also a vintage edging, a vintage trim with lace and pretty ribbon like strands hanging from it.
That area needs hand embroidery as does the area where the applique is.
It's coming together.
06/23/2025
Embroidery on lace like fabric.
Do you remember this?
The blog post is here.
I've started to add hand stitch to one piece.
Buttonhole stitch and Bullion knots to be precise.
It lifts the cloth beautifully I think.
06/21/2025
Hand made buttons for a seam.
I spoke about these buttons in this post.
Today I'm adding them to a seam, leaving a little 'play' in the tie so they move freely.
A short two minute video....a little chit chat and attaching buttons to a seam.
06/20/2025
Five pages.
Not to be confused with this post where there were twelve pages.
That is a different project.
The pages today are progress with the embroidered book you saw yesterday.
That's two cloth books in progress....blimey...can you tell I love a cloth book?
06/19/2025
Small half circle pockets and couching with bullion knots.
It's embroidery, sewing, needlework.
It's a continuation of this project.
It's progress.
Surface embroidery on varied surfaces, gingham, patterned fabric, Liberty fabric. Applique, couching, bullion knots, gimp, beads....
06/17/2025
Twelve embroidered pages.
This is a slow piece......picked up as and when.
I last spoke about it here.
As you will hear in the video, I am now considering my options for finishing this project.
(in the video I say there are 11 pages.....actually there are 12!)
06/15/2025
My button history.
I've lost count of the number of buttons I have made over the years.
The first two images above are some 10mm hand wrapped buttons which we are currently making in class.
Below is just a small section of the button images I have, a record of hand embroidery and button creation.
(girls in class, if you see anything you would like me to demonstrate just let me know x)
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Just go here to sign up.
Thank you so much x
06/13/2025
embroidered tokens and a silk ribbon edge
Work is continuing on my embroidered sample cloth book.
You last saw this piece here.
Since then I have added a lower panel embellished with small, embroidered tokens along with a piece of patchwork octagons.
One edge has been finished with web stitches worked on to silk ribbon.
It's not quite finished.
I would like to also add a Liberty print binding to the other edge.....
06/11/2025
surface embroidery
Continuing surface embroidery.
Embellishing cloth in order to create a new 'embroidered cloth sample book'.
It's so good to see these pages come together and inspire new pages at the same time.
This work is happening in class, our current project.
Who knows how many pages will be enough....
06/10/2025
more weaving and a little padded silk
Another embroidered sample in progress.
This will live alongside the one you saw here in a cloth book.
I think I have four pages almost completed and I will show you the others later this week.
The patchwork piece here is just pinned for the moment but it will live there when more embroidered cloth is added to the lower edge of the main piece.
06/07/2025
Applique, weaving and patchwork.....a sample.
This is what happened to the applique piece after you saw it here.
It is now attached to a woven ribbon piece and a patchwork piece.
One seam of French knots, another of running stitch and bullion knots.
I now have another completed page for my new cloth sample book.
06/05/2025
Applique and French knots.
An embroidered sample, applique and French knots.
This piece will be part of the project I was working on in this post.
It's a sample for my new 'embroidered sample cloth book'.
The next step is to decide what will be attached to it, which other sample.
When I have made that decision both pieces will be joined and all seams will be decoratively embellished with hand stitch.
06/03/2025
Scrim, silk tissue, silk velvet.
This morning, a couple of hours creating these surfaces for hand stitch.
Scrim base, strips of silk velvet and silk tissue, a sewing machine and hey presto.
Why?
I just like to have some. You never know when you might need it.
06/02/2025
A table of embroidery, a busy workspace
A busy table, filming contenet for my online class.
This week we have started an embroidered cloth sample book.
Page after page of embroidered samples, swatches.
Varied sizes, different fabric surfaces, different embroidery process.
Patchwork, applique, hand stitch, weaving, Suffolk puffs and prairie points all incoming.
05/31/2025
Prairie points for a paper wrapping cloth.
This piece is a slow burner, a pick up every so often piece.
My paper wrapping cloth.
It has been on here before, not sure when the last time was but if you go to my YouTube channel it makes a few appearances over there too.
I've been titivating it a little today, adding prairie points to a seam.
I speak more about this work in the short video below.
I hope you enjoy it x
05/30/2025
Gimp and an unfinished embroidery hoop.
Hand embroidery, applique, couched gimp.....a new piece in progress.
Have you ever used gimp? I love it, it's so versatile and always makes an impact on an embroidered surface.
This piece is almost finished, there is couching to do on two gimp stems.
As this is being embroidered onto silk dupion I will also need to damp stretch it when I've completed the couching.
If you would like to learn with me, learn about this piece and almost everything else I show here then you can subscribe to access my online learning videos for just five pounds a month.
You can read more here.
05/29/2025
catching up
Hi, how you doing?
I've been back from my trip for a couple of days but have been sorting out long neglected housework and a huge stack of laundry.
Today is the day I'm playing catch up with my embroidery, getting a sense of what I need to finish, what I need to create next and in which order.
Wish me luck x
05/15/2025
pouch, pocket, silk.
The piece from here is now finished.
A pouch, a pocket.
Hand embroidery on silk with hand closed seams, Suffolk puffs and ribbon ties.
I had intentended to use this to keep my Liberty fabrics safe but have gifted it to my daughter in law instead.
I'm off here tomorrow for a couple of weeks.
Take care and I'll see you when I get back x
05/11/2025
Almost finished.....
This piece has been languishing for quite some time.
Silk dupion with patchwork, applique, trailing ribbon and hand embroidery stitches.
It measures 35 by 21 inches but will be folded to create a lovely bag to hold some of my Liberty fabrics.
I've been debating fastening options and haven't come up with anything that 'grabs' me except perhaps simple ribbon ties.
I'm also thinking about a few oversized Suffolk puffs along one edge, just for a little bit of extra titivation.
I'll make a decision before I line it later today.
05/10/2025
Embroidered pages.
Embroidered pages, embellished edges, decorated seams, another cloth book.....another old cloth book.
This one is out for the same reason these were out.
For inspiration for class, to learn from, to feed new work.
There is a short video show and tell here.
05/08/2025
16 x 10 inches
Embroidery on the surface of this cloth is now complete.
The embroidered area measures 16 by 10 inches and this will be folded, once lined to create a pouch, a pocket.
I haven't yet decided which fabric to line it with.
The cloth here is very fine, gauze like so it may be best to line it with the same.
I will sample this before I make a final decision.
Then I need to think about edge embellishments.
It will be finished with hand stitch along each edge but I'm quite partial to extra titivations so the brain is ticking.
05/06/2025
Just embroidery
Samples, embroidery, embellished cloth.
These are out, spread across my work area as they will hopefully inform something I am hoping to do with my girls in class.
Get ready girls, needles threaded, scissors sharpened!
These samples are 'old'. Created probably several years ago.
They are proof that past work informs and inspires.
Never throw anything away.
Don't hide your work in a 'safe place' that makes it harder to access.
You never know when it might light a spark!
05/05/2025
Did you miss this one?
I get so many questions about this book, from YouTube, from Facebook, Instagram, Flickr.
For those of you who may have missed it, a repost.
It can be seen in more detail along with other similar pieces in the video today.
05/01/2025
hand stitches
I spoke about continuing this piece yesterday and I feel I am really making progress.
Two thirds of this cloth is now embellished with hand embroidery using DMC Coloris variagated thread. (my new addiction)
This will become a pouch for me to keep embroidery related things in. Exactly what I haven't decided yet.
I speak about the pouch aspect of this in the video below which was originally posted here a week or so ago.
Once the outside layer of the pouch is complete I will give some thought to the lining and any potential edge embellishments.
04/30/2025
More embellished pages and another embroidery hoop.
I may have been absent but I haven't been slacking.
More work has been done on the pages for a new artist book, the one you saw here.
Another embroidery hoop has also been completed, these little pieces being explained in this post and in addition to their use in that project they also provide me with an invaluable stash when putting artist books together.
Today though, today I am going to work a little more on this.
04/25/2025
Pages, composition.
My next artist book is taking shape.
This one will have three inch square pages.
In the video I speak about the value of having a 'stash', a collection of little pieces of work which are invaluable when putting your page embellishments together.
These can be created from paper or cloth, in fact it's good to have a contrast of surfaces to play with.
04/23/2025
Hand embroidered patches
Nine hand embroidered squares to use in patchwork.
There's Liberty fabric in this plan too.
I absolutley love the web stitches which were sewn with variegated thread.
I'm working on this idea with the girls in class.
Don't worry girls, I'm not giving anything away here.
I'm just cracking on so that I can video the next stage of the process for you.
04/21/2025
placement
These little things are being put to use today.
I'm playing with the placement of them for this project.
For now they are just pinned because I may well change my mind.
04/20/2025
A new pouch in progress.
Embroidery on this piece is continuing.
There's a short video today explaining what I'm actually doing here.
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