Friday 28 September 2012

Blocks 3 & 4 of Quilt Along

I think I have mentioned that this quilt is paper pieced and I am really enjoying pulling the blocks together. Haven't had to do too much unpicking on these blocks either - must be getting the hang of it now!

 

Friday 21 September 2012

Studio window display

Spent ages yesterday re jigging my studio window display. We have got some building work going on at the moment which eventually will be an extension to the studio but this obscures the window a bit. I find it difficult to know what to put into my window which leads to my inability at the moment to define what I actually do - if I say textile art people invariably ask what that is then walk off with a puzzled look! Embroidery is what I do - machine and hand - but I also make quilts, cushions, gifts things -in fact anything involving fabric and thread. I have also over the past 5 years run art workshops in primary schools which have been very varied, anything from looking at and recreating Tiffany lamps, to ice sculpture workshops. I am trying to sort out that definition so that I can revamp my website, and get some advertising sorted so more people are aware of where I am and what I do. I am also working on a couple of workshops around hand and machine embroidery. I just don't seem to have enough time to do everything (or anything most days!). Any suggestions ? ....

Thursday 13 September 2012

Quilt-along Block 2

 

Block 2 of the Quilt-along - loving the colours! The book we are following is called Quilts for Rosie: Paper Piecing Patterns from the '40s and each week we are working our way through the patterns in the book. This block seemed to go together a bit easier than last weeks - though I still haven't managed to get all my points to match!

I have been doing some work towards a commission - my client has asked for an antiquey country cottage feel for a wall embroidery so I have been experimenting with some small crochet flowers to start with. Will be moving onto some hand and machine embroidery flowers next whilst I sort out which looks best. (the crocheted doily isn't my work - though that could be next to try out).

 

Thursday 6 September 2012

Block 1of a Quilt-along

I am joining in with a Quilt-along which is being hosted by www.quiltingboard.com, the first blocks were to be posted on Monday, so I'm only a few days late!! This block is called "Mothers Star" and is the first of 20 which I will then make into a large quilt. The blocks in this quilt are made using paper piecing which breaks each block down into smaller sections and you stitch them using a printed paper guide - almost like patchwork by numbers! I still needed to use the unpicker a few times! Not a bad effort for a mornings work.

Saturday 1 September 2012

Hand embroidery sampler

I haven't done any hand embroidery for ages and certainly no traditional embroidery. I am working on a hand stitching workshop to introduce children to traditional embroidery stitches so I thought I would dust off my hoops and pull a small sampler together showing the different stitches we will be learning. Do you think this would be good for adult learners as well - are you interested in traditional embroidery stitches?