There is a new idea brewing, another theme and almost definitely another distraction, patches.
Not cloth patches, patches inspired by, mirroring and mimicking past work.
The large patch here is number 6. The small piece with trailing ribbon is number 2.
I will be (not exclusively, there will be other things happening too) developing this work and creating a new type of patchwork in my subscription only forum which I am hoping will go live tomorrow!
I'm not really skilled in patchwork techniques. I can randomly patch scraps, I'm not too bad with hexagons but beyond that I have no experience of 'patchwork' in any other form, the traditional form at least.
As 2020 is going to be my year of 'books' I need something to fill the pages of all the books I plan on creating so this one will hold and protect simple patchwork sampling. This is just the beginning, some cloth hexagons and a few paper ones. It's the putting together of the pages which excites me most and as each little sample is created I will try to shake that up a little, create something quite sculptural, perhaps even something which will never close properly.
You may also notice that I can't stop adding little scraps of pieced cloth too, not in patchwork form, just randomly assembled and embellished, an extra excuse for titivation.
You know I can never resist an opportunity to titivate.
A little bit of everything for you today, glimpses from the past week....
I bought this basket in Spain. It holds everything and anything. I need to stop taking the easy option and just dropping things into it instead of putting them away properly, in the right place.
I've been cutting a lot of hexagons over the past few days . These will be stitched to templates and made into ''grandmothers flower garden'' patchwork pieces for my London workshop kits. (London is selling well...big smile here, thank you!)
These images were taken whilst I was making videos for ''hankie class''. There's quite a bit of this kind of thing going on here. Hankies piled high, spread across the table before being cut up and adorned.
I'm not sure about this one, when it was taken. It could be ''artist book'' class but there's a little bit of me that says no, it was something else.
And sequins......there doesn't appear to be any shortage of these around here at the moment. These little things are fast becoming my new ''essential''.
And some videos from Instagram which you may have missed....
I have started playing with ideas for my workshop packs for the two day London workshop next February. To be precise....I am thinking about the actual ''workshop pack'', the pocket which will hold things to be used in the workshop. So far I have secured gimp with bullion loops on a piece of vintage white which may or may not become the pocket. More surface embroidery will be added to that piece over time so the pocket itself will become a keepsake after the ''event''.
I have made a decision on which printed cloth will be used for hexagons and patchwork and general titivation and I am thinking about how to present those within the pocket. Do I add more pockets on the inside or do I pin the hexagons, ribbons and bindings to strips of vintage trim which can then be used in the workshop too.....decisions decisions. I will of course need inside pockets regardless for paper pieces, applique templates, waste canvas and lots of other little things, surprises....
It's early days I know but there are quite a few of these to put together, a lot of stitching and thinking still to do.
I do apologise......this isn't damp stretched, looks like a dogs dinner.....never mind. This is a piece fromclass. Vintage hankies, layers, gimp. It is in its very early stages. I have another piece ongoing in class too but that isn't ready for any kind of unveiling yet, public or otherwise.
The hankies used in this piece are ''time worn'', soft...like butter. Although that makes them beautiful and an honour to work with it also makes them unruly, liable to fold of their own volition, liable to crease if you look at them the wrong way, (if you know what I mean) I'm hoping damp stretching will tame them.....
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.
Patches of printed cloth, strips of silk, hand embroidery....a day in the life...
I am beginning to get very excited about this work. My sampler cloth is evolving and will morph into a human sized pocket, pouch, bag form. I don't know how long it will take but getting there is amazing. I have been playing with muslin for the past couple of days...a sampling process. There aren't any images of that yet but the results and the imagining of how all this will come together is beyond exciting. I know you get that....that you don't think I'm pathetic or need to get a life. I know that you know how I feel...I know.
I was doodling in simply stitch yesterday. Note I never said ''I did some gorgeously stunning doodles in simply stitch yesterday''. I merely stated the fact....I doodled. The doodling informed the placement of these patches and will also inform the placement of embroidery on the same piece. It wasn't a frivolous exercise, it was a valuable one.
I will be incommunicado for the rest of today :(..........I have to go North....way up North...to another country in fact...to Scotland. It isn't a holiday, it isn't a day trip, it's something that must be done and no......there won't be cake.
