Karen Ruane

Subscription learning...but first, wrapping cloths.

Wrapping cloths.....where it all began!

There are two wrapping cloths here...unfinished.

These have been out this morning and plans are forming to complete each one.

For now these will be the focus here on my public blog whilst recent works will be completed privately with subscribers to my new online learning adventure!

For personal reasons I am unable to commit to intensive, weekly learning programmes at the moment.

The next best thing? A more relaxed monthly approach which I hope you will consider sharing with me.

The details and link are below.

 

Join me on my 'stitch along' journey. Suitable for both the beginner and the more experienced embroiderer, stitch along gives you exclusive access to my practice as an embroiderer.

Each month there will be one hour of video content demonstrating embroidery process, including but not limited to hand stitches, design, embroidery on both fabric and paper.

In addition there will be monthly 'Zoom' get togethers where we will chat and discuss our personal creative projects and where guidance and feedback will be given where required. Attendance at zoom sessions is not compulsory.

Should you decide not to participate in those I will be available to you by email 24/7 as I will to the whole group.

Zoom sessions will also be recorded for you to view at your liesure.

It is my hope that this learning experience will be led by group members. Is there a particular stitch you would like to learn? A particular process? Just let me know and I will do my best to provide the relevant demonstrations.

I will be very flexible throughout this programme, putting you, the learner, and your needs at the forefront of my demonstrations.

Our first video will be uploaded in the afternoon of Monday October 7th.

Register here.

Little eyelets and web stitch.

A little hand stitch video for you today.

I'm having a sleepover with a two year old this weekend so it'll be more about stories and jigsaw puzzles than embroidery but it will definitely be fun.

Have a lovely weekend and I will see you on Monday.

 

the second patchwork edge and a new embroidered piece

If you are new here, hello!!

This work will be better understood if you read this post, there's a short video on there too.

Another of my embroidered squares is now edged with patchwork.

That means two are completely finished, seven are fully embroidered waiting for patchwork edges and the one today, the latest seven inch square, is in progress.

There are now more patchwork squares to cut out and baste and the thinking cap is on regarding the embroidery techniques I will use to finish the latest piece.

 

Another patchwork edge and a few French knots.

Apart from nine French knots the piece I showed you here is now finished.

I was impatient to add the patchwork edge so one side of that is now attached although I don't have any other strips ready yet to finish the other three sides.

If you remember, I now have nine seven inch embroidered squares. Number ten will be put together later today and the patchworking will also continue.

 

Seventy two one inch squares

I've got a real sense of accomplishment now.

The first of my nine, seven inch embroidered pieces now has it's patchwork edge!

Seventy two one inch squares of patchwork.

I'm more than happy with how it looks and cannot wait to stitch more squares so I can edge the other pieces.

If you are new to this project please just scroll through this blog as there have been numerous posts about this little cloth book, which is what these pieces will become.

Hand embroidery, applique, web stitch and chain stitch.

A little more progress today on my next seven inch square.

This one is number nine, the other eight are shown in this post.

So far I have added the ever present 'grandmothers flower garden motif', two edges of web stitch and an applique floral piece.

The half circle centre of the floral piece is open along the long edge.....it's a pocket.

 

 

 

Artist book play

I had a hankering for some artist book work today.

Much as I love embroidery on cloth, there is something quite addictive about embellishing paper and turning the pages of these pieces.

It's just a small addition to a page but it satisfied a craving.

 

eight embroidered pages

Yesterday I mentioned how I wasn't sure how many of these seven inch squares I had finished embroidering.

Today I can tell you it's eight.

Another piece will be put together later today and meanwhile.....patchwork.

There's an awful lot of patchwork squares to be stitched for these edges.

I was tempted to count how many I would actually need to finish the eight seven inch pieces I have up to now but I thought better of it as it might be too daunting.

Double patchwork edge

In my last post I showed these embroidered squares with a single row of patchwork at the border.

That has now evolved to a double row of patchwork.

Today there's a new embroidered seven inch square too. Hexagons, petals and cutwork with gathered and pleated fabric inserts.

I'm not sure how many embroidered squares I have now, I must count them although I have no plans to stop.

There are also a lot of patchwork squares to sew.........

patchwork for the borders

In my last post, here, I spoke about my plan for patchwork borders edging these seven inch square pieces.

As you can see, that process has begun although I must warn you it's very time consuming.

That is never a problem for me but basically, if you like quick fixes you will be disappointed ha ha.

You will also be able to see a new seven inch square ready to be stitched. I will work on that a little today before going back to the patchwork.

Do I like the patchwork edges? Yes, I love them.