Another recommendation

I have had my "Machine Finishing" class brought forward a couple of months so I am updating my samples and notes.

As a trained teacher I am very aware of the "presumed knowledge" that books, commercial patterns and teachers, and in fact all types of teachers, think that students already have.  This also applied in the classroom when I was teaching high school students.  But a lot of basic knowledge has not been passed on to learners, of all ages.  I know my own Mother didn't know how to sew or use a sewing machine and she would have been over 100 years old today.

So, as I am working on my notes all this is running through my mind.  There is just so much basic knowledge and skills that my notes were turning into a "major novel."   On visiting Phillipa Naylor's web site I found that she too has been thinking about this "presumed knowledge"and has called it "Basics".  She has put together a whole series of videos about this for students to read prior to taking her dressmaking course. There is much here that doesn't apply to embroidery but it is all really important information for anyone that works with textiles.

These are presented under four headings.

Equipment

Fabric

Patterns and

Sewing Machine Basics.

The blurb at the top of the blog says:

Philippa Naylor shares her thoughts and advice on foundational tools and techniques required for garment making. We will be adding new videos to this series as we come across foundational topics which would be usefully covered by Philippa.

All these videos are free

So now my class notes refer students to these videos.  I will highlight the ones I think are pertinent to my class and set them as background viewing.  They are a wonderful resource.  (Not that long ago I would have said background reading.  Haven't times changed?)

 

Thank Goodness!

I spied a book by Yoko Saito and thought, "I want that", and it was reduced in price.

Went to the web site to order the book only to find it was unavailable.  Thank goodness, I have so much sewing lined up.  Still, the book is nice to look at.

 

Whilst in isolation

I decided that if I am locked up here I may as well do something constructive.  So, I joined the Textile Artists Stitch Camp.  The leader for the camp is Gwen Headley

After joining the face book page I am just blown away by the beautiful work being done by people around the world.  There is just so much creativity out there.

This doesn't start until January 17th and it is free.

Here is a link if you are interested.

A forced retreat

My son rang me this morning to say he had tested positive for Covid.  I'm still coming to terms with that.  When he was here he told us that everyone at work had contracted the virus, so in some ways I'm not surprised. (He is triple vaccinated.) Now we have to handle that.  It is impossible to get a test done unless you have symptoms and there are no home tests available to self test.  So, we will just have to wait and see what happens.  Not much use worrying about what might happen.  Both my husband and I are 'at risk'.  He because he has had open heart surgery and me because I have a problem with my immune system, so it is a concern.

We have to go into isolation for the next 7 days as close contacts so I am lining up the sewing projects.  Those place-mats and then quite a bit of quilting.  At least there will be no interruptions!  Because we live, away from people, I can still go for a walk outside.  And there are some parts of the island where you can be completely alone.  So it isn't all doom and gloom, and just think of all the work I can get done?

This morning the sea was calm and the wild hibiscus trees had dropped their flowers into the water.  (This tree is home to jewel beetles as well as having lovely flowers.)

I am going to keep an eye on my Bougainvillea, it is growing like Jack's bean stalk and it is not going any higher than the roof.  I wonder how long it will take to get to the roof?

WIPW

With so many people coming and going from the house things have to be simple.  Those simple embroideries are great for stitching whilst you are sitting chatting, so three more finished.

One member of my Patchwork gave me a machine embroidered piece as a Xmas present.  I wasn't sure just what to do with it.  Then my grand daughters said they thought it would make a nice wall hanging.  I have added boarders and now it is all pinned up ready for quilting.

And one of the things I didn't put into the clean up, (which has now been delivered to the Salvos) is these small panels from France.  Another gift from a travelling friend.  They are about to be made into place mats.

And I made a new 'skirt and binding' for the piece I have in my hoop,  this means I can fit smaller pieces of linen in the hoop.  I have the next Cross Stitch ready to go.

Although, all this may have to wait until everyone goes home.  Even then I might need a couple of days just to catch up on sleep!!