Until very recently I didn't even know there was such a thing as silk scrim. I have used scrim before, the normal, cheap very open weave stuff. Infact during my foundation degree I almost used scrim to extinction, layering, building up textures, cutting holes in it. In this sample I have just placed a scrap of vintage embroidery behind it, my thinking being where it wasn't cut the pattern and colour would show through. Well that has happened but not really successfully in my humble opinion. Truth be told I am a little disappointed in the cloth itself. For some reason I imagined it would be more 'natural' if you know what I mean but it seems a little too 'synthetic' for me. I do have other ideas for sampling though, strengthening with muslin for example, rendering the cloth soft and more receptive of hand stitch. White bases, silk and cotton, less of a sharp contrast. At the end of the day that's what sampling's for, testing, sparking ideas and moving things on so from that perspective it hasn't been a wasted exercise at all. There is quite a discussion going on over here about this and one of the questions asked was ''is it soft?'' Well not to me, not as soft as I had hoped anyway and I don't feel confident that it would drape very well.
The scrim is shown here, next to the silk muslin I bought. The scrim is the bright, white piece. As I am struggling to properly describe it I suppose the best thing to do would be to give you some and then you can see for yourself so I will give a way a couple of pieces of this, 10 inch squares, to 2 people who comment on this post and then you can tell me what you think of it. Although I hate to leave the house, as you know, and despite the fact that I am THE most unsociable person in the history of the world, this is one of those situations that required interaction. If I had any friends I could go get a group together and we could all fondle this and express an opinion. Sadly hermits don't have that option so it's down to you, my cyber friends.
Now for the reverse tutorial that I promised, or maybe threatened!! I can now announce that favours are finished, all 50 of them. They are neatly and safely stored ready for collection, and here is how they look prior to stuffing!! Goodness I spoil you lot!!
Well it has a new home now. It was despatched lovingly wrapped, insured, protected and trackable all the way to the USA last week. Why is it then, that even after all the safety nets I have built in that I can't sleep for fretting?? I feel like I have sent one of my kids up the Amazon with only an apple for comfort. Roll on my tracking code displaying ''signed for, delivered, safe and healthy!!''
Finally, and yes I'm bragging now, sorry about that but I have got tickets for this!!! Woo Hoo, happy isn't the word!!
