It's almost finished, came together very quickly in the end. I say almost finished, there is time consuming stuff to do, a lining to piece and stitch, boning to add to the upper and lower edge, stitching the lining in place and a few final titivations to be added. You might notice the applique circle area looks unfinished, like a piece is missing. Never fear, it's deliberate, I have a plan.
In case you haven't been by here in a while there are exciting things happening in the shop....a new class, Patched Pockets along with tiny, precious little hand stitched adornments. You may well find something similar to those finding there way onto this piece...watch this space.
My button making production line has slowed. It hasn't stopped, I am making toggles for myself now but I have reached the magic number I was aiming for in order to list these ones in the shop. Lovely little buttons tied to swatches of pin tucked Broderie Anglaise. Go here and help yourself if you like.
There's a short video explaining more....
I can't believe how long it is since you saw this. It feels like it was yesterday but looking at the date on the post just goes to prove that time goes by too quickly. It had more attention last night and I hope to progress that tonight. If all goes well you will see it tomorrow.
The embroidery on this hankie sample is almost finished. In the video today I begin to cluster French knots along an edge. That will complete the embroidery so the next time you see this it will most likely be mounted in the ledger. When I show you that I will talk you through the little book of hankie scraps, explaining why I am creating it and discussing the advantages of owning an embellished sample ledger.
I'm later today than I wanted to be. I went Christmas gift buying for two specific items, two specific people......my brother and my sister in law. I came home with a lot of Christmas gifts for someone called Helen instead......oops!
I'm continuing from this post, more titivations. My plans for all these tiny hand stitched embellishments will come together later this week when I will share them with you again.
In terms of the number of these I need I am there, enough, finished. Thing is I am tempted to keep going as they are so much fun to make. Silk Suffolk puffs, silk funky puffs, embellished toggles and covered buttons....in some ways it's like a sweetie shop.
My blog appears to be loading slowly. Is it just me? Are you having issues too? Can you let me know?
And before I go......I was asked about this, it's ready, my next class...here.
This is my homework from last week, two new design sheets. They both have stitched samples, one has pencil drawing and they both have stitches embedded on the surface. My collection is growing. I would estimate I have a minimum of ten sheets similar to this up to this point. This morning I put another two together on camera for class later this week and I have many more samples yet to be mounted in a similar way.
In the future I should have no excuse for non creativity, for creatively blank moments. In theory browsing this collection, this library of information should be all I need to spark a new project, to inspire a new piece. Even at this non complete stage these pieces inspire. I get so excited you wouldn't believe it.
As promised, this layered piece transformed into a pocket. Three Suffolk puffs adorn one edge of the opening and another is hiding inside. We will be making lots of pockets in January, big ones, small ones, layered ones, hankie ones, boned ones, softly draping ones. If you want to make some too then read this, see what you think.
I nearly didn't come today....embroidery seems trivial somehow. But then I thought no...normality, carrying on with our way of life is essential, live our lives, don't be beaten.
There's a mini production line taking shape at my place, beads, buttons, puffs...all manner of titivations. Fiddly? Well yes but in a good way. Some of the silk pieces here have found their way ontothiswhich is now finished, looks amazing and will be making an appearance on here tomorrow.
Later today I am going to scour my image files for more button inspiration. Do you remember my button cloth video? I'm aiming for something similar....but first I need more buttons, more beads, more pretty little trinkets.
The layered piece of silk and lace cloth from this post is now finished in terms of surface embellishment. Small clusters of French knots have been embroidered onto the lace cloth overlay to mimic the embroidery which is present on the silk surface. I now know what I am going to do with this to finish it, the video today explains my thoughts, my reasons, my intentions.
For those of you who were interested in my online class intentions for next year and who missed it yesterday......my next class is described here.
You said you wanted it now, so here it is......and thank you so much for the enthusiasm.
Patched Pockets
Begins Monday January 4 2016.
(this is not a repeat of my last online ''pockets'' class. Whilst some processes will be the same I aim to create pockets in different forms from those produced during that 12 week programme.)
Duration 12 weeks.
**you do not need to have participated in any of my previous online learning programmes in order to participate in ''patched pockets.''***
No prerequisites. Suitable for the beginner and the more experienced stitcher.
Be a fly on my wall for 12 weeks. Observe my creative process, learn from my successes and my mistakes as I sample, as I construct pockets from patches of cloth, snippets of hankies and decorative trims along with other found cloth both new and vintage.
During the course of these 12 weeks it is my aim to considerably advance embroidery and construction on my ongoing embroidered piece which I call ''the body bag''. One video per week will be devoted to the development of that piece.
In addition to this I hope to create a series of pockets in various sizes using handkerchiefs, new cloth and vintage cloth. Fabric surfaces will be manipulated and embellished using hand embroidery and fabric manipulation techniques. These techniques will include pin tucking, patchwork, pleating and ruching. Hand embroidery stitches will be used to embellish surfaces with each stitch being clearly demonstrated.
There will be a minimum of four videos per week, (approximate minimum 1 1/2 hours viewing time) which will be hosted on a private password protected blog.
In addition to our private blog you will be given access to a private Flickr group where you will be able to interact with other members of the group, upload images of your work, receive feedback, give feedback, share technique, hints, tips.....
Previous online learning programmes I have hosted have resulted in the formation of a tightly knit group of like minded people who share the creative process in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. It's almost as if groups ''hold hands'' throughout. For me, this is one of the most appealing and rewarding aspects of these classes.
(I am also aware that some people prefer to work quietly with minimal interaction. That is OK too.)
There are no deadlines, no set tasks. You are under no obligation to create what I am creating. Many people in previous classes have merely taken notes in order to apply ideas to their own work. Please take as much or as little as you wish from this programme, tailor my demonstrations to suit your own creative needs. Access to all resources is permanent.....forever.....
Please allow 24 hours from registration to receipt of welcome e mail which includes a list of suggested equipment.
Images shown here are for illustration purposes only. We will not be replicating these pieces exactly.
