Karen Ruane

embroidered sample swatch collection

The third piece of my latest sample puzzle is now finished.

These three pieces form a very lovely collection of embroidered swatches, sample pieces.

In the creation of these I have used prairie points, scalloped edges, padded cloth, hexagons, numerous hand embroidery stitches, patterned fabric, plain fabric, applique, pleated and gathered fabric and ribbon. (I may have left something out of this list....but you get my drift)

I have taken a deep breath and decided to list this selection of fabric pieces in the shop as a 'collection'

You can see that here.

 

sample books, embroidery swatches part 2

As if by magic I was looking for something and came across another two sample/swatch cloth books. I spoke about these earlier in the week if you remember. The last two of these books inspired me to my little cloth circle piece. These two today could lead anywhere.

Later today I will begin to move things into my new studio. I am beyond excited. It doesn't have worktops or wall cabinets yet, (I'm at the mercy of a very busy carpenter) but I do have a table, a cupboard and some drawers. This is the start of something amazing, my very own space where I can shut the door, make videos at will regardless of what is happening elsewhere in the house, work on my sewing machine whenever the fancy takes me, shut myself away and create whenever, anytime, all day, all night if I want.

I may not be seen for some time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Embroidered sample/swatch books. #embroidery #swatches #samples #embroideryteacher #embroideryschool

A post shared by Karen Ruane (@karenruane) on Mar 7, 2019 at 5:01am PST

sample books, embroidery swatches

I have several of these sample/embroidered swatch books. They are such a wonderful resource to have, to pick up and examine not only when you are in need of inspiration but also 'just because'. These have been out today in the hope they can shake me up a little, generate a few new ideas, keep the brain ticking.

Whilst 'the wrap' is ongoing other things can happen alongside that piece. I'm thinking something 'pretty', maybe pinks and lemons....

(another quick video. These are so easy to create and allow me to show more)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Karen Ruane (@karenruane) on Mar 4, 2019 at 5:47am PST

embroidered sample books

As promised a few days ago...a mini show and tell of my embroidered cloth sample books. I'm thinking about the next one, the best format for that....

 

Also, I think you might enjoy this.

 

swatches....delicate surfaces

My finished piece from embroidery class....delicate embroidered fabrics and papers in a little 'swatch roll'.

 

edging a cutwork sample

A few samples were created during the initial, early stages of ''studies in stitch''. I'm now beginning to give them a little attention starting with the cutwork. I think there are only three of these in total, three pieces of cloth with cutwork samples worked on them but they should still make a good ''swatch book'' when they are titivated. 

If you are new here you can see more swatch books here and here then you will have an idea of what I mean.

A bound edge has been added to this one with buttonhole lace and sequins to secure and embellish. The reverse is getting attention too.....sequins to follow there

Embellishing the reverse of pieces, samples has become important to me. I see it as giving recognition to the work which is visible there, the knots, the working threads because where would we be without those.

 

 

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a finished collection of embroidered pieces - Karen Ruane

- Karen Ruane

a second sample, swatch book

The sample/swatch book, collection idea evolved from the online class ''embroidery school''. The collection created there can be seen in this post. I got so much pleasure from creating that one meaning I just had to create another. This is it, almost finished. I say almost because although the headers are joined, although it's fixed into a leaf through swatch book I am continuing to add embroidery to the reverse and there's still quite a way to go with that. (the last image shows partial embroidery on the reverse in progress)

This one consists of four large embroidered pieces of cloth. Each piece has a variety of stitches and embroidery processes on the surface, on the edges. There are several more pieces of embroidered cloth ''in progress'' in addition to the ones joined here. They will from the third sample swatch book.

There are two very brief videos here from my Instagram feed relating to this sample swatch book.

 

 

A post shared by Karen Ruane (@karenruane) on Aug 6, 2017 at 2:35am PDT

 

A post shared by Karen Ruane (@karenruane) on Aug 6, 2017 at 2:39am PDT

a lower edge

Yesterday, in an effort to reconnect with embroidered cloth as opposed to pages, I worked a little more on one of my sample swatches. I speak about that collection here if you aren't familiar with it. (there's also a short video on that link) A flounce has been added to the lower edge of this one, attached with buttonhole lace before little tassels were added to finish it off. 

Some of you might remember my decision to also add embroidery to the reverse of these pieces, to recognise the reverse as of equal value to the front. With that in mind I worked a little on the back too. I used bias binding as a simple adornment for one seam and added a small embroidered panel to another. I speak more about working on the reverse in this post.

 

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circles and ledger pages....

my swatch/sample stash

Not an artist book to be seen, no paper pages...zilch. I thought you deserved some cloth and actually this was unplanned but I literally had so much fun looking through these yesterday I thought you might like it too. Another video.....my camera is working overtime. I doubt you will get a video tomorrow but I can tell you that on Thursday I will be able to show you progress from class.

 

 

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joining front and back with buttonhole lace and sequins. - Karen Ruane

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an embroidered edge for the reverse

Cast your mind back to this post. I speak about adding embroidery to the reverse of my work, not to cover the ''wrong'' side but to enhance it, to recognise it as a valid aspect of my embroidery process. That is what I am doing here. I have taken a small sample made as part of this collection and begun the process of creating an embroidered reverse seam. For now it's just pinned. I will add to this later, stitch on it some more, give it a decorative edge whilst securing it to the main piece.

Studies in Stitch is taking most of my time at the moment and I can't share what we are up to for now. I am hoping to give you a glimpse at the weekend. I am massively excited about my piece for that class,  almost to the point of obsession and ignoring everything else. Hopefully spending a little time with the pieces shown today will bring me back to earth...

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