09/11/2020
Friday workshop table
Plans for Friday afternoon...my table.
Silk bias binding for lace class. (I think it's too wide but hey ho)
Plaited silk chiffon, plaited by moi, ties for an artist book.
A hand made button and a hand made toggle for said artist book.
An embroidered wrap for said artist book.
A thread delivery to put away.
And finaly a hoop filled with scrim for sampling before class experimentation.
How many hours before bedtime?
09/10/2020
paper and lace cloth
Another piece from lace class which is very different to the piece I showed you last time.
That piece was created purely with lace cloth and embroidery, the piece today is a mix of lace cloth, paper and silk habotai.
This one is partially worked and will evolve as class progresses. The edges in particular are what I'm thinking about today. I can't quite decide what to do with those.
It's not that I don't have any ideas, if anything I have too many.
Decisions, decisions....
09/08/2020
progress in lace class
This piece from lace class is almost finished......yay!
More embellishment is needed on the lower layer, it requires finishing at the edges but the very time consuming stuff, the edging of holes and cut lace applique is done.
When I say time consuming I mean time consuming. The girls in class will vouch for that I'm sure.
I never usually have an issue with time consuming, I actually mostly embrace it but we're talking deadlines here, class deadlines.
I never embrace a deadline.
09/06/2020
getting the cogs turning
Before I start I should say to my Lace class I am not giving anything away with these images. You will understand tomorrow.
There is so much going on here at the moment, family stuff, house stuff.....it feels like someone has got a whisk on full speed in my brain.
Regardless....I am taking some time to play with ideas for lace cloth.
An old artist book page and some self made lacy stuff.
It's just a ten minute 'look see', 'try', 'play'.
09/04/2020
a sleeve for a little notebook
In the past I have spoken about how, as these little stitched notebooks fill up it becomes harder to work on the pages which follow as the embroidered pages don't lay flat once they are filled with stitch, buttons etc.
I think that is explained a little in this post.
Usually I either tie the pages back with ribbon or create a long wrap to lay over those heavier pages to ensure they stay in place whilst I continue to work on the book.
This time though I made a 'sleeve', a patchwork sleeve which slips over the already worked pages, securing them temporarily.
09/01/2020
making progress, lace class
These pieces have moved on a little since you saw them a few days ago. The lace like cloth is being created over in 'lace class' and in addition to now having a lovely little pile of samples I/we are aiming for at lest one finished piece.
(don't panic girls in class if you aren't aiming for a finished piece...it's ok)
This one will grow, it will develop into a lace throw/wrap/shawl. For me I am leaning towards a wrap for an artist book. I guess that's not a surprise.
It won't happen quickly. Once the base, lace like fabric is made there is always a lot of hand embellishment to add.
I'll keep you posted.
08/29/2020
adding beads, a patchwork page keeper
I think I mentioned when I made the first patchwork page keep for one of my little books that there would be more.
Here is the second one!
There is a video here of me putting this little book together if you missed it.
08/27/2020
embellishing pages
I swear I'm building a library here. That's OK, I love a library.
My son asked me yesterday, 'mum, how many of those books you sew have you got'?
Not enough was my reply.
08/26/2020
Lace class
A glimpse for you today of what we're up to in lace class.
This is my work which I have embellished, embroidered since the demonstration on how to create the base of lace like fabric.
I'm hoping this piece will grow, that more panels of delicate lace like cloth once created will be embroidered and added to these pieces.
It's a slow process but that's OK. I like slow.
08/24/2020
protecting embroidered samples
There are embroidered samples everywhere in this house. Most are mounted in book form, preserved and protected. There are cloth sample books and paper based sketchbook type sample books.
Despite my best efforts however there are also loose samples, laid flat of course and safe enough I guess but I'm always happier when they are mounted in a cloth book or a sketchbook.
The sample today was created a long time ago. It has finally made it, unscathed to it's permanent home.
As you have probably noticed, I can't just mount my samples on a blank page...shock horror...no. Each page is titvated in what I hope is a complimentary manner.
Now all that's left to do is mount the other unsecured pieces which are lying around here.
Thank you so much for all the enquiries regarding my 'artist books' and 'stitched notebooks'.
At the moment I am 100 percent focused on lace class. I honestly can't say when there will be another artist book class.
Have I even got another artist book class in me?
I can however direct you to this post where there is information regarding artist book related 'work on your own' online learning.
These classes are crammed with artist book related information. One of them includes 34 videos, the other 133 videos so lots of information and demonstration for you to get your teeth into.
08/22/2020
petals and tiny toggles, an artist book composition.
Last time I was here I mentioned how I was trying to fit some time in working on this little book in between embroidering pieces for lace class.
I also mentioned a couple of artist book classes which are past classes and are now listed as work on your own programmes.
That post also contains images of past artist book work and if you are interested you can read that post here.
There has been a huge amount of interest both in those classes and in my artist book work so once again...thank you!
The work shown today is from yesterday afternoon. The tiny toggles were fiddly and then some....but worth it.
Stay safe folks. Stay home and create. x
08/20/2020
new pages, more adornment and artist book learning opportunities.
Two new pages have been worked on in my little notebook. I am fitting this in as and when I have time in between working on lace class.
It will be a slow process to finish this embellished notebook but that gives me plenty of time to think about what I can add.
There has been a lot of interest in my embroidered notbooks, thank you! You can see more of those here, here and here.
I hope you like the latest additions to this one.
The images below are a snapshot of my table over the last couple of days. It's a busy, happy, creative and productive space chez moi.
If you are interested in learning the 'how to' regarding my stitched notebooks and artist books there are two 'work on your own' online learning classes listed in the shop.
Artist books can be found here and below is a small selection of pieces created during that class.
A shorter class, 'artist book explorations' can be found here and again, the images below give a snapshot of pieces worked on during that online learning programme.
08/18/2020
Lace class
As promised, a little glimpse for you of what I am doing when I'm not playing with stitched artist books.
This is my work for lace class. It's early days, we have only been going just over a week.
There's a lot of stitching and 'lace' creation still to do, hence my avoidance of artist books for at least a couple of days.
I hope you like what I've done up to now.
08/17/2020
a new notebook part three
Progress, albeit slow progress.
I do hope you can see the difference in this litlle book from last time. You can see 'last time' here.
The front wraparound cover is now completely embellished. There is so much more on there than before, buttonhole lace, beads, bullion knots, lace snippets.
There is a beaded page and a tiny beaded page on the little book within a book. That one has crystals too.
Of course, I haven't been able to spend much time with this as I am creating lace pieces for my new class and they will be my sole focus for the next few days. I will share a little of that work with you next time.
Meanwhile....... I'm sorry, I'm getting attached.
08/15/2020
a new notebook part two
In my last post I made a video for you of the process I use when creating a little notebook to embellish.
I have posted the video again here in case you missed it.
This is how my new notebook looks today. There is minimal embroidery at the moment but it does have an extra tiny book attached to the first page. (where the cloth covered ring is attached)
I hope you like what I've done so far.
Next up are beads and crystals.
(this little book measures 3 x 3 inches)
08/13/2020
a new 3 inch square notebook to stitch, a video.
This morning I thought it would be a lovely idea to make you a video....a short video.
As I was planning on putting another little 3 inch notebook together I thought yes, I can video that.
It will be quick I thought.
The bast laid plans and all that.
Here is a video that is anything but short.....
(best watched on here on mini player)
08/12/2020
another day, another stitched notebook.
Notebooks or more specifically stitching and adorning notebooks continues to play a part in my day to day creativity.
Today it's another page for the notebook I recently made a large wrap for, this one.
Unlike my little 3 inch square notebook I didn't make this one, I bought it. (blank of course)
It began to fill up as a record of process used in the creation of my latest wrapping cloth, my embroiderers cloth.
The cloth might be finished but there's still a few pages begging to be adorned in the little book.
08/10/2020
Cinderella
Cinderella has found her way into my little artist book. A tiny story book has been added to one page, the facing page titivated with beaded thread cards and hexagons.
This one really is getting full now but that's what I love about my artist books.
I love that they won't close, that they spill open at random pages and I especially love the dangly things and meandering lengths of ribbon falling from the pages.
Embroiderers ledger girls.....remember I said those little tabs had mileage? the tabs which secure the pages in the little books we made? well....how about placing beaded thread cards on them?
If you are registered for August 2020 lace cloth which began this morning you should have recieved sign in details for our dedicated private space this morning. If you haven't received those then please let me know.
08/08/2020
patchwork page keeper
Last time I posted about this little book I mentioned I would need a wrap or something similar to hold the pages open as it refuses to stay open on its own.
My intention was to create a wrap which would be attached to the front cover and fold over any page.
Instead I have embroidered a little bookmark/page keeper using one inch hexagons and beads.
Now all I have to do is restrain myself from making one of these for every artist book in the house!
(if you are registered for my new class you should have received an email from me this morning and an invitation to join our private Flickr group. If you haven't received either of those can you please let me know)
08/06/2020
composition, placement, lace cloth,
This morning I've been taking a little time to play around with placement, composition using little fragments of lace cloth.
Very often it's not the lace cloth which makes a piece.....it's what you do with it that's important.
08/05/2020
A pom pom trim tie
This little artist book is resisting now, resisting any more additions. I won't be beaten, I'm aiming to adorn every single page.
When you get to a certain point with these artist books it becomes difficult to work on the next page without the previous page forcing itself on you! It won't stay open. In the past I have tied the pages open with a ribbon wrap, today I have used pom pom trim but now I think I will make a hexagon, patchwork wrap for this one. It seems fitting as hexagon patchwork features heavily on these pages.
What's new today in this little book? Another Grandmother's flower garden motif and a tiny beaded fringe.....I hope you can see that, it's laid just where the pages meet.
(if you are registered for lace class which begins on Monday you should have received an email from me today. If you haven't received that can you please let me know)
08/04/2020
the overlay
I first used overlays which had been created with my own, self made 'lace cloth' to protect pages within my hand made artist books. I then played with them as an added layer over richly embroidered surfaces.
Now I'm wondering if perhaps an overlay needs a protective overlay of its own?
My thinking is, depending on the delicacy of the embroidered lace cloth overlay would it not only be protected by another lace cloth layer but also enhanced?
A little sampling has been happening with that in mind before my lace cloth class begins next week. These are the types of processes and directions I am hoping to explore during those eight weeks, not only the creation of lace cloth but how it can be used to enhance other embroidered works.
I spent the last few days in London. It was very, very strange, quiet, almost empty. The underground, the subway was mostly deserted as were the streets.
When will we ever get back to normal? I am finding it all quite unsettling, more so now than in the beginning.
Please keep safe everyone. There will be an end to this if we all just hang in together.
07/31/2020
stash building and notebook stitching
Embroidered buttons, stash building. These little things, these hand stitched decorative buttons could find themselves anywhere. It could be a page, it could be a needlecase, it could be a pin pillow.
Ok, we know it's going to be a page ha ha. When did I last make a pin pillow or a needlecase?
And my little 3 inch notebook.....what can I say? It's a joy.
It gets fiddlier by the day, more difficult to hold open at any given page......not just to look at but also to work on, good thing I love a challenge.
I am going away for a few days tomorrow. I have cabin fever.
If you sign up to the new class after lunch time Saturday you will receive your welcome mail late Monday.
07/29/2020
An embroiderers cloth
My 'embroiderers cloth' is finished. The reverse is embellished with ribbon secured with hand stitched French knots and each edge is finished with two rows of hand worked buttonhole stitch.
You have seen the front of this piece 'in progress' numerous times, I hope you like it now it's all come together.
The front side has been embellished with numerous hand embroidery processes and stitches including applique, French knots, bullion knots, running stitch, chain stitch, buttonhole stitch, hand made buttons, hand made toggles. There are also pockets, visible and hidden.
Although this cloth was created for demonstration during one of my online learning programmes it has been a true labour of love and the class itself was a joy from start to finish so I would like to say thank you to the 'embroiderers cloth girls' for being part of a truly incredible, inspirational, creative and caring eight weeks.
(this cloth measures approximately 33 x 35 inches)
07/27/2020
filling pages
This little thing is filling up! It's my three inch by three inch hand made notebook and it's changed somewhat since you last saw it.
Stitching in this is a lovely diversion, I can lose myself, let my mind wander. Fiddly yes but oh so therapeutic too.
07/26/2020
wispy
This weekend I have been playing with new ideas for my lace cloth, looking at ways to develop this process. This piece is wispy, very delicate, held together by only a few threads.
Hand stitch will strengthen and enhance this. The images here show it unstitched by hand and partially hand stitched.
In truth, hand embroidery onto and into this could go on and on. Learning when to stop is an instinct but still not easy at times.
Regardless of the heaviness, the quantity of hand embroidery worked on these pieces I have yet to work a piece which doesn't retain its fragility, its softness or delicate nature.
If you are registered for August 2020 Lace cloth class you should have received a video from me this morning. If you haven't received that can you please let me know.
If you would like to know more about this class which begins on August 10 just go here.
The image below shows this piece of lace cloth without hand stitch
An embroiderers cloth....wow. I have finished mine, stand by your computers girls as I am just waiting for the final videos to download....... you will have them imminently.
That piece of work has been my 'constant' for weeks and now it's finished I feel slighly lost.....I miss it...
Do any of you feel like that after finishing a project?
Later this week I will post images of the finished cloth here for you all to see.
07/24/2020
developing ideas, lace cloth.
My fingers are working as fast as they can finishing the hand embroidered edge on my 'embroiderers cloth'. That's an evening project, a relaxing ''in front of the TV'' project.
The days? This coming Saturday and Sunday will be spent developing ideas for my new lace cloth class which will involve examining old work, past pieces of lace cloth, being inspired all over again and playing with ideas for taking this process forward.
(embroiderers cloth girls.....I'm nearly there.....it's a marathon!)
07/23/2020
embroidered paper, a wrap for a stitched notebook
This wrap is stitched on paper with buttonhole lace seams and cloth snippets adorning the surface.
It's for my stitched notebook which you can see more of here, here and here.
It has been in progress for a while and you have seen it before in various stages but it's now completely finished and lined, all that is left is for me to actually attach it to my embroidered notebook.
We are almost at the end of my current embroidery class 'an embroiderers cloth'. I am filming each stage of my cloth as I back and finish it, adding extra pockets and hand sewing seams.
Progress images and an overview of my cloth can be seen by following this link.
When my embroiderers cloth is completely finished I will excitedly begin sampling for 'August 2020 Lace cloth', my next class. I will have a couple of weeks break between classes which should allow for plenty of sampling.
You can read about lace class here.
(I will be removing all traces of my free embroidery class, 'embroider our way through the madness' this weekend. If you need to make notes, check anything you best hurry. All the information for that can be found here.)
07/21/2020
tiny pages, compositions, artist book,
Ths little three inch by three inch artist book has had a more work.
You might think it'd be quick to fill this one as the pages are so small....ha...no.
If anything it's harder, more fiddly. Then again, as most of my class will tell you I am definitely a fan of fiddly.
In other news.....I am making good progress with the final stages of my 'embroiderers cloth'. If you follow that link there are lots of posts and a wealth of information about that particular piece.
Once class has seen it in it's finished state I will create a show and tell for you.
A reminder about my next class which begins on August 10th. That seems like forever away but I'm prepping as we speak.
If you would like to read more just go here.
To those of you who have registered already I want to say thank you for supporting this little one man band of a creative business. It means a lot.
07/19/2020
finishing touches
Today will be mostly about adding finishing touches to this before I square it off and add the embroidered backing....it's getting to the scary stage.
07/17/2020
Lace cloth, coloured snippets and hand stitch. (please scroll down for latest posts)
Over the last couple of weeks I have been illustrating the versatiltity and unique nature of lace cloth.
My next class, my new class is all about lace cloth, the creation of it, it's many uses as a stand alone piece, an adornment, an overlay, a delicate throw....I could go on but if you read the posts here and here you will get a better idea of what I am talking about.
Today is about how colour and pattern can add something special to this cloth.
More information about the new class can be found at the foot of this post.
August 2020 Lace cloth
Begins Monday August 10 for eight weeks.
Online format.... Private password protected blog.
No deadlines. No set tasks. Lifetime access to all resources.
Staged payments accepted. Please contact me for details.
Beautiful, versatile, soft and delicate lace cloth. Join me for this eight week creative programme where we will create unique lace like fabrics.
This online experience will take the form of a very relaxed and gentle forum where creativity will occur using cloth, thread and embroidery for those who have an affinity with handling cloth, working with cloth.
Demonstration will be provided on the creation of unique lace cloth and the many ways in which it can be used either as a framed wall piece within a hoop or as a very special addition to other embroidered and paper based pieces.
Hand embroidery techniques onto our lace cloth surfaces and the adornment of plain fabrics such as silk and cotton with hand stitch will also be demonstrated.
This course requires the use of a sewing machine.
Suitable for beginners and the more experienced embroiderer.
Full support is given throughout.
I am available 24/7 for queries, appraisal, guidance and support.
Included is access to a private online image sharing group which includes group discussion facilities and support from other group members.
Required supplies....list sent upon registration.
07/16/2020
a little hand made, hand stitched playtime artist book.
A few weeks ago I showed you the 'in progress' images of this little hand made book. The cover was finished, the book was made and all that was left was for the cover to be attached and it would be good to go.
Ta da......the cover is attached and I have worked on the first couple of pages.
There's no real plan for this one. I'm just going to put pretty things in it as and when I get the urge.
(it measures 3 x 3 inches)
07/14/2020
progressing my little stitched notebook
It's a while since you saw this I think, my little stitched notebook.
This little book was started as a ledger to accompany my 'embroiderers cloth'. I stitch my ideas into here and if you follow the link to my embroiderers cloth you should be able to see the similarities.
Going forward I am certain these embroidered pages will inpsire future work too.
07/12/2020
Sunday
Wow, what a fantastic Sunday I have had so far. I've been piecing panels for my 'embroiderers cloth', pinning, tacking, decoratively stitching them together. I hadn't intended to post today but I'm so excited I had to share!
Don't forget my new class....more excitement! You can read about that here.
07/11/2020
Lace cloth, the potential.
My next online learning programme which begins in August was listed earlier this week.
Lace cloth, fragments, art pieces and overlays. There has been tremendous interst, thank you!
The post which launched this new class was crammed with images and you can view those here however the potential for creativity, the suitability of this delicate cloth for use in your embroidered works does not stop with those pieces.
Below is an image of a shawl I created from numerous pieces of lace cloth and intensive hand embroidery.
This piece is one of my most treasured posessions and the image really does not do it justice........to handle it is wonderful.
Creating a piece such as this along with those in the first post regarding this class will be discussed and sampled at length once class begins.
You can read more about this online learning programme below and please keep scrolling for the very brief video of my lace shawl, the details.
August 2020 Lace cloth
Begins Monday August 10 for eight weeks.
Online format.... Private password protected blog.
No deadlines. No set tasks. Lifetime access to all resources.
Staged payments accepted. Please contact me for details.
Beautiful, versatile, soft and delicate lace cloth. Join me for this eight week creative programme where we will create unique lace like fabrics.
This online experience will take the form of a very relaxed and gentle forum where creativity will occur using cloth, thread and embroidery for those who have an affinity with handling cloth, working with cloth.
Demonstration will be provided on the creation of unique lace cloth and the many ways in which it can be used either as a framed wall piece within a hoop or as a very special addition to other embroidered and paper based pieces.
Hand embroidery techniques onto our lace cloth surfaces and the adornment of plain fabrics such as silk and cotton with hand stitch will also be demonstrated.
This course requires the use of a sewing machine.
Suitable for beginners and the more experienced embroiderer.
Full support is given throughout.
I am available 24/7 for queries, appraisal, guidance and support.
Included is access to a private online image sharing group which includes group discussion facilities and support from other group members.
Required supplies....list sent upon registration.
07/09/2020
new embroidered panels, filling space
If you have been following progress with my new wrapping cloth, 'an embroiderers cloth' this is me nearing the end of the process. The new pieces here are measured exactly to fit spaces within my cloth. As a rule I work in a very relaxed manner to begin with, no plans, no precise sizes for each panel until I get to the point where I need to measure, be more precise. I am now at that point with more pieces needed. They are happening now, there are more than the ones you see here but by next week when class draws to a close I am hoping to be ready to attach the backing.
This is the fiddly part but also the wonderful part when it all comes together and the vision starts to become a reality.
I listed a new class earlier this week which begins on August 10. There will be a few teaching free weeks for me in between when I hope to progress my little stitched notebooks.
If you would like to learn more about the new class just go here.
07/07/2020
Lace cloth. (please scroll down for latest posts)
Lace cloth has been part of my creative life for so long. I can't quite remember when I worked my first piece of this delicate, soft fabric.
Its beauty lies in its uniqueness, no two pieces are ever the same. We could all begin with exactly the same materials and the results would be vastly different as a result of our personal choices...how densely we choose to stitch into the surface, the size of our little added snippets, our choice of hand embellishment. There are many ways in which our individual preferences affect the outcomes of this process.
This lace like fabric has many uses, some of which are detailed in the images below.
Framed in a hoop, either on it's own or laid over richly embroidered fabric.
As a unique addition for sketchbooks and ledgers, to either compliment a design composition or provide a beautiful protective overlay.
As an added layer for hand embroidered cloth pieces.
Or as a precious, delicate stand alone piece of textile art.
However you use this fabric however the creation, the making is joyful.
I will be teaching an online class regarding all things 'lace cloth' in August.
07/06/2020
the glass cabinet
This morning I tidied my glass cabinet, the one I have in my dining room. It's allegedly for 'special' work, mostly my delicate artist books but you know how it is.....over time everything gets put in there.
I'm actually sorry I didn't take 'before' photos but never mind.
Here it is in all its tidy glory.
And just so you know, the domestic goddessing continues, the hoover is out, the ironing board is out, the house is in disarray but who cares,
the glass cabinet is tidy.
07/05/2020
another piece for my wrapping cloth puzzle
My wrapping cloth class, 'an embroiderers cloth' finishes in 14 days......this is my latest panel.
I always fall behind in my classes, not through laziness but because I am teaching the process which takes away from stitching time. With this class I started early, got ahead before class but alas I am falling behind again. It's doubtful I will have my cloth finished in 14 days.
This is my roundabout way of saying ''get your act together Karen!''
I'm on it. Another panel will be pieced in around five minutes....I promise.
07/03/2020
buttonhole stitch marathon
I have been trying desperately to get the lining finished for my stitched notebook wrap. The lining is the all white piece. It is purely paper, paper and buttonhole stitch. Each raw edge is being finished with buttonhole stitch and there is around eight inches left to sew.
Why am I desperate? Because I am excited about what comes next.
The lining will be attached to the front cover of the wrap which is the central, long piece and there will be gaps where the reverse of each piece is visible. That gives me an opportunity to add more layers, more stitch, that's what excites me.
Once all that is done I can attach my wrap to the cover of my stitched notebook....
07/02/2020
embroidered cloth sample pages
These little stitched pieces measure 3 x 6 inches. They will become a tiny cloth book for the surface of my 'embroiderers cloth' and will hold little samples of the techniques and embellishments present on my wrapping cloth. The little book will form a record of my cloth, a reference for the future.
Some of these are unfinished.
And there are a couple of images here of what's been happening on my table lately.
06/30/2020
a surface pocket for my embroiderers cloth
Our wrapping cloths, our embroiderers cloths are progressing at pace over in class. There is an embroidered pocket attached to the surface of mine now, neatly tucked into a seam where two panels are joined.
There is also embroidery on the reverse and lining of the pocket.
There are only two weeks left of class and I'm beginning to think my confidence that I am nearly there is misplaced. Nagging away at me is the thought that I could have much more still to do than I imagine so later today I am going to assess where I am in comparison to where I need to be.
06/29/2020
a wrap for a tiny notebook
This little hand made notebook measures just 3 inches by 3 inches. It doesn't really qualify as an artist book yet as the pages are still blank but that's what it will be when I have finished titivating.
After putting the little book together I started the cover wrap rather than begin work on the pages. No particular reason except I wanted to. Once this is attached the pages will get a little attention.
06/27/2020
the wrapping cloth
My 'embroiderers cloth' has been getting a lot of attention lately, mostly on Facebook. Each time I post an image of it and mention the words 'wrapping cloth' I am asked many times 'what is a 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.
The images below are a selection of pieces made over the past 16 years or so. 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.
06/25/2020
joining panels and making plans
We are starting to join our embroidered panels together in class. Whilst we are doing this our wrapping cloths, our embroiderers cloths are evolving, it's becoming more evident how the 'whole' cloth will look when it's finished.
The two pieces here are joined with a tiny panel which now provides a home for safety pins. The next two pieces will be joined with a pocket which we began in class a couple of weeks ago.
There is a beautiful weight to these individual pieces and as they are joined that weight gets even more pronounced, this work is wonderful to handle.
06/23/2020
a stitched notebook, an embroidered paper cover and a lining
Cast your mind back to this post...a wrap for my stitched notebook. The front is now fully embellished, embroidered and adorned. Now it's time for the lining.
In the first image the lining is visible centrally, it's the all white piece, torn paper strips placed together which I intend to secure with buttonhole lace.
There is quite a bit of embroidery still needed on that before I can secure it to the reverse of the wrap and add it to my stitched notebook.
06/20/2020
flower silks, squishy buttons and a little half circle pocket
Another finished panel for my 'embroiderers cloth' and the next piece in progress, partially stitched.
I'm not 100 percent sure how many more panels I need for this but we have started joining the first pieces together in class. I think it will be a case of join what I have and see what's needed as I go along.
The partially stitched piece needs more work, it needs a 'feature'. There's an idea brewing for that which I hope to sample over the next few days.
06/18/2020
revisiting lace cloth
Lately, in my spare moments you may have noticed I have been playing with lace cloth again. I love it's versatlity, how it can enhance in so many ways.
There are some past pieces in the images and short video which follow. Hopefully you will see why I love it as much as I do.
06/16/2020
a growing wrapping cloth
My embroiderers cloth is growing....two new panels are almost ready to be added to the pile. It's funny but you can panic a little with some pieces if you are on a deadline, (I'm on a deadline because of class), you can get overwhelmed by imagining you won't get x or y finished in time and then you get to a point where it seems to speed up, it all comes together and you're almost there.
I think I am at that point now.
06/12/2020
a paper pocket for a notebook
Back to my little notebook, the little design notebook which accompanies my 'embroiderers cloth'. (I'll post some images of my embroiderers cloth at the end of this post for those of you who haven't got a clue what I'm talking about)
This page has a pocket at its edge. I never could resist a pocket. A couple of pages back in this one I doubted this little notebook would take much more. I was wrong. I'm going to keep going.
As promised, a few selected images of my embroiderers cloth which is still very much in progress.
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