Applique and Embroidery

Applique and Embroidery Sample

I thought I'd share some more of the samples I've been working on for the upcoming workshops I'm doing (see previous post.)

I'm going to be doing some embroidery and applique workshops at Carlisle Library over the next couple of months as part of the No Borders programme which is running alongside the Outside In exhibition at Tullie House. You can find out more about these and the other workshops on offer over on Prism Arts website.

Cross and star stitch on bonded applique

Shisha stitched mirror and basque stitch

Stitch detail and bonded applique

Dorset wheel button in wool

I've tried to use a couple of different applique techniques in this sample including needle turned applique and using fusible webbing to bond one fabric to another. I've also done a bit with raw edges and stitching. I've added some hand stitched shisha mirrors (which was a new technique for me) and a dorset wheel button as well as various embroidery stitches.

Reverse applique sample

Reverse applique detail

Appliqued motif with stitching

In this sample I've cut out and appliqued some motifs from printed fabrics and done some reverse applique, where you put the appliqued fabric underneath and then cut away the top layer. Again, I've added a few embroidery stitches to finish it off.

Hawaiian Applique sample

Blanket stitch detail

Stitch detail

I tried another new technique here, called Hawaiian applique. A motif is cut from one fabric as you would cut a paper snowflake and then appliqued onto a base fabric. I added blanket stitch, chain stitch, running stitch and star stitch for extra surface interest. I like the folk art feel of this sample, especially as I did not anticipate it turning out that way!

Crazy patchwork sample

Stitch detail

Stitch detail

This crazy patchwork sample is one that I started in my first year of University, way back in 2004! I really didn't like doing it as I wasn't a fan of crazy patchwork and I was all rebellious and unreasonable so I never finished it. However, I thought it might be useful for showing off some embroidery stitches so this week I completed it. I'm still not sure about it but I'm pleased to have it finished after all this time.

Magik Quilt 2012

Some of the patches

Last year I made a quilt with my textiles group at The Heathlands Project. It was a really great project but very hard work and quite stressful for me so I when I asked the group earlier in the year if they wanted to do the Festival of Quilts again or if they wanted a break for a year I was kind of hoping they'd say have a break! However, they didn't. They were adamant that they wanted to make another quilt so since March we have been working away on a patchwork quilt. Our theme is 'Magik' and I have taught tie-dye, batik, block printing and hand embroidery. Because we chose to make a patchwork quilt this year we wanted to make sure that even though each patch would be made by different individuals the quilt would still work as a whole so we chose a limited colour scheme of blue, purple and green. We tie-dyed our base fabric these colours and then made print blocks which we used to print on top of the tie dye. We've then used hand stitch to complete the patches.

Adding stitch to dyed and printed fabric

It is all starting to come together now and I'm really proud of all my students, they've produced some fantastic work and it's great to see the progression and improvement since last year. We're currently finishing the last few patches and starting to get it all sewn up, then it will be down to me to construct it and get the quilting done!

Learning to couch

Block print with embroidery and sequins

Block print and hand stitch

Work in progress

More patches

Stitches and Folds

Smocking sample (detail)

Way back in August last year I entered The Sketchbook Project, run by Art House Co-op in Brooklyn. Since then I've been so busy with other things that apart from occasional "I really should do that" thoughts I've not got much done on it. However, last week it suddenly popped into my head and I realised it must be getting pretty close to the deadline (it is) and I better get on with it.

The theme I chose was stitches and folds as I thought it would be a good chance to experiment and play with some different techniques. Today I have been experimenting with smocking. I've had this see-through fabric for ages and thought it would be interesting to try smocking it to see what effect the gathered fabric would create.

Taped down whilst in progress

In progress

I'm pretty pleased with how it's turned out, although it was the devil to work with. When I'd put the gathering lines in and pulled them to gather the fabric it curled all over the place and it was really hard to find the pleats, but I persevered and via the gift of masking tape I got it stitched. I just did a basic honeycomb pattern using knots rather than stitches as I thought the short threads would stand out nicely against the soft folds of the fabric. The finished sample has a lovely soft, shadowy look to it that I'm very pleased with.

Finished sample

I also made a stitched button for the front of the sketchbook, using rayon thread and a plastic ring. Time consuming but very pretty!

Hand stitched button in progress

Finished button

From the side