I have to get pack to the patchwork. It is mounting up at a great pace. I have two quilts to "Add a Line' to and if I don't get on with it I will have three and I will hold everyone else up.
These are some little experiments that I stitched for simple back-stitch patterns.
I got sidetracked by a discussion on stitching fingers about drawn thread work. There was this tantalizing reference to the fact that drawn thread work was brought to Europe from Persia. From the references I have been able to find drawn thread work is mentioned several times but I am unable to find any images.
It does make sense though. Persian influence reached from India through to the Danube. You can see this influence in Indian embroidery so it makes sense that it would also been used in European embroidery.
The problem with textiles is that they are organic and therefore rot very easily. There are not a lot of examples that have survived.
This little piece is an experiment with drawn thread work and colour.
I know this blog is about textiles but I am truly worried about what the Australian Government is doing in regards to the Japanese Whaling in the southern ocean. The only footage we have seen of the Sea Shepherd is of the Federal police raiding the boat on it's return. There appears to have been a blanket ban on any media coverage in the whole time that the 'Steve Irwin" was out there.
This is just about the same as when the Indonesians invaded Timor. Trade is more important than principles. The people of our nation, except for a few who were willing to speak up, just did nothing. Then over 20 years later and after the deaths of 1,000,000's of people the truth came out.
This time we are talking about animals. People will care even less. Maybe this time we will lose these animals from this earth. For all the good this government may be doing this could be what they are remembered for.
I used a pre-quilted fabric for this cover. It holds it's shape well and doesn't 'collapse' on the machine. It took 30 minutes to make the cover, a bit longer to do the embellishment. For the embellishment I only used built in stitches on my machine and an embroidery thread to stitch them out. (Click on the image for a large view.) Download No 7 Easy Sewing Machine Cover
I am finally getting some of my samplers up on the wall. This room was the old kitchen. When we bought this house it had been converted into flats. We ripped the cladding off the wall and found the old kitchen underneath, including the fuel stove. I lime washed the walls roughly and plan to cover them with all my samplers. The sticking point was someone to put them up. But, that has been resolved and they are starting to take their space. (I told you I got hooked on cross stitch.)
Whilst looking for a disc that has an old drawing program on it I found this old piece of Naversom work, that looks a bit the worst for wear. It needs to go into the 'Nappysan' to get those stains out. I did this back in the 1970's. My God! That is 30 plus years ago. I still haven't found the disc.
I spent today doing a pre class class. Now that sounds silly, but, we did a class in preparation for the main class which will take place in June. And, from my efforts today I am going to have to do some practicing to get some of those stitches perfected.
I did this form of embroidery about 9 years ago and got quite good at it. It just shows how you have to keep your skills up. I'm going to have to do this again.
I read an article in a magazine about 'Historical Embroidery' in Germany. They were talking about how linens were nearly all labeled in red cross stitch. They went on to give illustrations of the sample pieces that women (I think) had made to use as a reference for their stitching.
I think there was a free pattern in the magazine to make this sampler and I put the work into my backpack for working on in 'down time' whilst tramping in New Zealand. Having just one colour was great for this. So some of this was stitched on the Greenstone, Caples and Routeburn tracks. (Well if your are a stitcher you will understand.)
When I was at high school student in year 9 we had to do a piece of cross stitch. I did some kind of roses and I know my Mother gave it to my Grandmother because it was on a wash stand in her bedroom. I just didn't get cross stitch back then and it niggled at me until I was in my late 20's.
Then, when I was living in Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory Miss Field from the NSW Embroiderers' Guild visited out remote community and introduced me to the Danish Embroiderers' Guild and the rest is history. I have been addicted since then even when it wasn't 'cool' to do Cross stitch.
I bought lots of kits which I stitched out and gave away to relatives and friends. Then I came upon these little drink coasters. They were very challenging back in the 1970's.
There were six in the set but my dog at the time ate two. You can see where she nibbled the third.
Download No 6 Petite Sac - Super Easy & Easy
This week's pattern is a two for one. I often have students who are put into my classes who have no interest in sewing. These students usually do not bring any materials to class. So, I provide remnants or recycle fabrics. It is important that they get 'instant' results to engage them in learning and the 'Super Easy' Petite Sac delivers this. It is also a super easy way to insert a zipper.
The easy Petite Sac extends sewing skills as it adds another level of complexity. Beware, sewing these little sacs can become addictive!! (Click on the images to see a larger view)