I have been tempted by all things sparkly. I did warn you yesterday. These are ordered as is this, plans are afoot. All I need to do now is order more silk dupion, spend a few more hours on my sewing machine creating more of the cloth in today's pictures and wonderful things should happen.
The sewing machine part of this plan began yesterday afternoon using lace, metallic silk tissue and silk net. I embroidered on the surface last night, edging open areas and adding a solitary mirror. There will be more mirrors, they will happen when I am not half asleep...... at midnight......watching Netflix..... when I should be in bed.
I titivated this piece from yesterday a little more last night. A double buttonhole seam, cross stitch, web stitches, French knots and some unruly bullion knots. I tried to create an uneven ''chain'' effect with the bullion's. Some are created with 40 wraps, others with 30. I'm not sure it was a successful attempt? At least I tried.
To be honest I am getting distracted by mirrors, shisha mirrors, all things shiny and luscious and opulent. Everyone in class seems to be using mirrors and the final temptation came when Deannaposted this video on Facebook..........you may see some on here soon.
I had an urge to pin tuck cloth yesterday. That's probably because I recently pin tucked some paper over in simply stitch 4, anyway whatever the reason it had to be done. I gathered some old handkerchiefs and used those. They were pin tucked, some were also pleated, they were joined, (in the manner of a wrapping cloth...I hope you don't come here for originality)
Last night I had a great time stitching them together, securing seams, tiny running stitches, buttonhole lace and a few bullion loops....(again...originality in short supply). Regardless......I love it. I think it will evolve into a pillow. It might acquire a pocket. I haven't decided yet.
I made you a video!! It's OK, Stephen Spielberg doesn't have anything to worry about it's just a brief show and tell about the body bag, the progress, the plan.
Basically the plan is just keep stitching. Make more sections and try not to bore everyone to death. I will be working on this a lot for a while, picking it up on a regular basis but not stitching on here exclusively. I will also be working on other things, one of which I hope to start this afternoon. If I get my finger out, get a move on, you might see that tomorrow.....
There are three silk surfaces here, all panels for the body bag. I have been working on these this morning for Simply Stitch 4 videos. (stand by your computers girls there are videos coming).
The body bag needs attention, determined effort, consistent effort so it's quite likely you will be seeing it regularly for a while. More panels are needed as are more pleated muslin pieces, as are tabs. That's a lot of stitching. That's a good thing. I also need to buy more silk, another good thing. I need to make more snippet cloth which will live happily in this piece, another good thing.
These pieces have all been present over in embroidery school this week. Some are ''old'' and were examples, used to explain various ideas whilst some are new pieces evolving in class and which will now become the samples of the future.
Lace, paper, cloth and stitch is finished. That was a great two weeks, I enjoyed it a lot. Alchemy has another two weeks to run....time flies when you're having fun.
We are still hotter than hot here. With that in mind I have been up for hours, fulfilling my role as domestic goddess, getting my chores done before it gets too hot. They say it will break tomorrow, we will lose 6 or 7 degrees.....that would be perfect.
Stitchery doodle three is now finished. The buttonhole kept its place, it escaped a cull.This piece is edged with fine piping and tiny running stitches, the loose ends left in place. It already has a new home...we shall see how it's received. It's not there yet.
This evening I will finish stitchery doodle one in the same way. As for stitchery doodle two......I don't know. It still feels wrong, too pristine. That piece may well find its way into something else at some time in the future.
Phew....I can finally prove that I don't spend my days drinking Gin and watching TV. This is what I've been up to. I have made lace, I have embroidered lace. I have stitched paper...titivation central!
The second image, that piece....it's tiny. I want to make a HUGE piece, a draping, wrapping, covering, swaddling piece. I need to order some lace....a yardage or two.
I've also been busy putting this together........Simply Stitch 5. Who knew it would be so popular. Number 5???? I can't quite believe it.
Simply Stitch 5.
***you do not need to have participated in any of my previous online learning programmes in order to take part in simply stitch five. There are no prerequisites for simply stitch five.***
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Simply stitch 5 has no deadlines, no set tasks. Groups which are formed through my online learning programmes are communities, friendly, interactive, supportive communities. It is my hope that each individual course takes place within a relaxed, informal and ''comfortable'' online environment. You are welcome to dip and and out of our experience as and when it is convenient for YOU. Access is permanent....forever.
============================================== Access to a private blog with regular, minimum twice weekly blog posts which will be created specifically for this group included. These posts will NOT appear on my public blog, they will be exclusive to this group. Video posting weekly minimum.
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Commencing Monday September 8 for 12 weeks Simply stitch 5, a gathering of cloth and embroiderers is my latest online learning programme born from a desire to get ''back to basics'', hand stitch at it's purest. This online creative experience will take the form of a very relaxed and gentle gathering of cloth and embroiderers, those who have an affinity with handling cloth, working with cloth. We will gather together and embroider, I will discuss my plans, my inspiration, the preparation and creation of embroidered cloth. I will demonstrate technique and process throughout. I can guarantee that there will be embroidery, embellishment, manipulation of cloth. There will be pouches and pillows, there will be larger, considered works. I will share thoughts along with the more tangible sources which drive me. I will doodle, you will be encouraged to do the same.
It is my hope that you bring your own work along with you, to share and discuss with the group. We will guide and support each other, sharing tips and process, a gathering of girls for ''online'' afternoon tea.
You are welcome to continue and /or begin your own projects within the forum of this class. You are also welcome to observe and plan work around the pieces I create. If you do not wish to embroider then that is fine too. You can just follow along with us as I record my personal, creative process. You will be given access to me, my day, my embroidery with demonstration, discussion and instruction throughout.
*** There are no deadlines. There are no set tasks. This is an informal and relaxed process which is purely concerned with enjoyment and companionship.***
Video will be hosted on our private password protected blog and there will be a dedicated flickr group where you can upload images and interact with your peers by means of private discussion.
Upon registration you will be sent a brief e-mail to confirm your seat at the table.
Suitable for beginners and the more experienced.
Please allow 24 hours from registration to receipt of welcome mail.
I have so many pieces in progress at the moment but I can't show you yet. I'm waiting for the girls in class to see them and then it will be your turn. I knew last night that this would happen so I made you this. One single, solitary cutwork circle on some pieced cloth. I do think about you. I wonder if you will be trying to figure how I'm spending my days if I have nothing to show you. Trust me, I'm not sitting watching daytime TV and drinking Gin.
Tomorrow you will have proof of my non TV watching life. Tomorrow it will be lace.....
I'm making good progress with this work, with these 7 inch embroidered squares for a new cloth book of embroidery. The paper piece featured in my last post and I...
