Thinking

I have been following Rachel's progress on her foot stool done in canvas work on her blog.  I used to do a lot of canvas work but got bored with it.  Now I think I would like to stitch a piece.  At the Embroiderers' Guild they have a huge selection of threads for this kind of work on the sale table, so I can get the thread cheap and I'm sure I must have some canvas in my stash.  Next step was what would I stitch?

I found a colouring book on-line from 1615.  It was originally written for glaziers and plasterers but I'm sure some of these patterns would work.  (These are the kind of things one finds on in the Internet Archive.)

There is a design index at the beginning setting out all the designs as thumbnails.

Then these are expanded to full page prints later and there are some interesting designs that could work.

It also has some recipes for mixing colours that come with the warning that these might be dangerous, still, it is interesting to read how it was done back then.

I intend to have a play around with these designs and see what I can come up with.

WIPW

It is really spring now and although the weather did become cold for a bit, I am starting my spring cleaning.  That means emptying every cupboard and draws. Washing the contents, sorting those things that have to go out and getting ready for summer.  I have set myself 2 draws a day in the kitchen and 2 draws a day in the sewing room, to start.   Now that may not sound a lot but I do need time to sew, draw and read.

For the sewing part I am doing the hand stitching of the bindings on the place mats, there are 18 in total.( I can only manage one a day with my lack on movement in my wrist.)

And I am in the planning stages for a new Donation Quilt.  This one is for a teenage boy.

I am reading another Marjory Allingham novel. I am up to No 15 of the Campion series.

As you can see we are now in the 1950's, mid century modern.  I would like to get back to some embroidery but one thing at a time.

I wonder?

I wonder if I added the the boards to the end of my IKEA trolley, which looks like this,

Could I make it to look like this?

These ideas are always good to start with but then reality steps in, but it might be worth a try.

ALSO

I have signed up for this years "Sketchbook Revival".  It's free and I took part in this a few years ago, time to have another shot at it.

It is a taster.  You could buy the classes each tutor offers, but I have used it just to get inspired again.  There are lots of great tutors.  Carla Sonheim is one I have bought classes from and I often use her "free stuff" with my grandchildren. Actually I'm looking forward to this.

Lots of distractions

I haven't been sewing at all much.  I did spray up that quilt, which I hope to start today, but soooo many other things have got in the way. 

Firstly, I have had constant requests to teach again.  I did a couple of workshops for my local groups and love doing them BUT my health is not what it was and I don't want all the stress.  Then I started to clean out all my old kits etc and found there was a lot of classes already prepared.  So, I will teach again, but only on my terms (i.e. using up the kits I already have prepared) and all the money I raise will go to charity.

So one or two classes before the end of the year.

Kogin is booked in.  Just a drink coaster, "easy peasy." ( Here is a link to the tutorial)  You don't have to use Kogin stitching for this.  You could use repurposed embroidery or fabric, this pattern is multi purpose.

And I will see what else students might like.

Then, I got a request about a very old embroidery class I did years ago.  I couldn't find that one but I did a lot.  I think I will put them up here on the blog as well.  Someone might like them.

Dressmaking

Oh dear, dressmaking is a skill I have filed away and thought I wouldn't use again or only a little.  A couple of years ago I bought a course with Phillipa Naylor for my daughter and I made a couple of dresses.  (This is a great course .) 

Then I thought "I know how to do this".  All my years of working in fashion, running workrooms and then teaching gave me a false sense of security.  I cut out a woollen skirt and didn't make it up because we had a warm winter.  It has hung on the door of the cupboard for most of this year waiting  for me to make it..  Now I have begun and I'm thinking "what side does the zipper go in?"  (I had to ask Mr Google that one!)

 

The skirt is lined, not a problem but I didn't check that the lining had a right and wrong side!  Some unpicking had to be done.  As I was putting it together it all started to come back to me.  I kept the walking foot on the machine for the sewing and that was inspired.  The even feed makes sewing thick fabric a breeze. (Not purposely, I just didn't want to go to the trouble of replacing it.)   As I need a side fastener and know that I also bought some tape for the hem of the skirt I had better rush to the shop and buy them now.   I am having lunch with my daughter today and I wanted to wear this skirt!  I might have to find something else.

Half year review

We are now half way through the year and I am still having trouble walking.  I am greatly improved from where I was a few weeks ago but I have to watch that I don't walk too far or too much.  I find it difficult to pull back, "the mind is willing but the flesh is weak."  I haven't been able to go to the Embroiderers' Guild for a few weeks now as it is a 4 hour + round journey and I have to pace myself.  I miss seeing friends and keeping up with what is going on.

I am working my way through the Marjory Allingham novels and have become quite fond of Albert Campion, the main character.  I am still finding things I know nothing about here and there.  I knew there was an earlier version of a bus but didn't know it was called a "char-a-banc" or that it looked like this,

or this,

or this.

The text just said the Gypies arrived in it.  The descriptive text paints so many pictures with details I am not sure about.

I have pre-ordered Donna Leon's next book, which is due for release next month and look forward to starting that.

I usually review how I have travelled at the end of the year but I am having a half yearly review of my progress.  Not too bad considering the major health issues I have had to face.  Last year I would have said "could do better" but all things considered I think "not too bad" sums it up.

End of the procrastination

I couldn't stand that old clunky computer any longer and couldn't see the screen very well on the lap top so now I am in the process of setting this one up.  Yes, it is pink just like all my other Apple appliances.  I do not expect this to go smoothly so expect some complaints.  But it is pretty!!

 

A change in the weather

I think the weather might be changing!  It is still raining and humid but last night I put a light cover on the bed.  Well it is nearly the end of March so I suppose it was bound to happen.

This got me thinking about changing over my wardrobe.  I had a look in some shops but I must have missed that all the prices have sky rocketed!  Time to start some dressmaking.  I don't need a lot, just 2 or 3 dresses and I have turned to one of my favourite designers for inspiration.  Gudren Sjodon.

Her style is very relaxed, which suits my lifestyle.  I no longer need business suits or fancy clothes to wear when I go out.  But I would like some of these petticoats.

Dead simple to make but finding that lace for the bottom is not going to be easy.  At one time there were fabric shops in every suburb but now I can only think of 4 or 5 in the whole of Brisbane! (Not counting Spotlight and Lincraft.)  I like the way she layers her clothes, great for our weather.

I won't find the colours but then I have a draw full of fabric dye so that is no problem.  I have a whole bolt of pain cotton fabric I just have to source this lace.

Still struggling with the computer

One step forward, two back.  That seems to be how my life goes at the moment.  But, I keep trying, not always successfully, or so it seems at the moment.  I am not receiving the comments to my email, but they do show up in the Typepad comments and there was an interesting reference to a tutorial on the "Elefantz" blog regarding another tutorial for the envelope bag from Alison.

What is the saying? "A picture is worth a thousand words."  This is a nice blog with lots of interesting articles.)

There are just so many variations on this basic design.  I have another one on the go using left over strips that I cut for the binding on my 'Chicken Quilt'.  When I started the quilting I realised that it would work well with strip quilting as well for the construction. You know I did all that practice for my walking foot quilting and now can't remember any of it!!

But this is coming along nicely.

I don't think I will decorate the seams but I need tassels.  I bet I have used all my purple threads!

Some more on those "Envelope Bags"

As I embark on the third of my envelope bags I thought I would do a bit of research about them.  I first saw them in India when I travelling but also remembered I had seen them years ago in Afganistan, (back before the wars when you could catch a bus in Rome that took you to India.  The young men who ran the bus then started Flightcentre.) And I seem to remember seeing some on display at the V&A.

I found this article in Piecework Magazine  about dowry bags.  There are some interesting stitches used and I love the tassels.

And then there was a "Dowry Purse".

And there are any number on the auction sites.

All these images come from the Indian region and I could find nothing much from Western culture but perhaps the "clutch purse" is a descendant of this original design?

Then to top it off I found some examples from Japan.  (They look rather modern to me.)

No Brain at the moment

No posts for a few days.  I am having severe problems with the drugs they want me to take and I had a near miss with a scammer.  I have put all my devices in to be cleaned and that will take a few days and I just have to wait until I get the drugs out of my body.  But, I try to stitch a little each day.