Flutter by, Butterfly: Dissolving Fabric and Machine Embroidery Workshops

Butterfly Brooches
Machine embroidery on water-soluble fabric 

When I first got really interested in textiles as an art form (in my early teens) I was fortunate enough to be introduced to a whole range of exciting media and techniques by a relative undertaking their City and Guilds qualification. She was very generous with her time and materials and I still use a lot of what she taught me today. One of the things I was introduced to was water-soluble fabric. Not very helpful for fabric to dissolve in water you might think but artistically it has many possibilities; particularly when combined with another of my passions which is free machine embroidery.

Creating leaves with machine embroidery on water-soluble fabric 

Creating leaves with machine embroidery on water-soluble fabric 

Leaves created with machine embroidery on water-soluble fabric 

I've always been fascinated by transparent and lacy fabrics and water-soluble fabric enables me to create intricate, unique fabrics and pieces with embroidery. In essence the process is very simple; draw with the sewing machine onto the water soluble fabric (making sure the stitches all join up) and then dissolve the fabric in water, leaving the delicate tracery of stitches.

Small bowl created with machine embroidery on water-soluble fabric 

Small bowl (detail) created with machine embroidery on water-soluble fabric 

It's a material and a technique that I've returned to repeatedly over the past 20 years (writing that makes me feel very old) and I'm still fascinated by the challenge of using it to create a self supporting and unique textile. Towards the end of last year I was asked if I wanted to run some workshops that expanded on the skills I teach in my basic machine embroidery workshop. Working on water-soluble fabric immediately popped into my head and over the past few weeks I've finally had a chance to get up into my studio and work up a few samples and ideas.

Work in progress

Camberwell Beauty
Machine embroidery on water-soluble fabric

When designing workshops it's often helpful to have a 'finished object' outcome and this technique lends itself really well to making textile jewellery. With this in mind I decided to develop some brooches (a good one size fits all object) and decided that the beautiful jewel like colours of insects, specifically butterflies, would be a good subject matter. So, I got out my books, my sewing machine and my threads and I started creating.

Adonis Blue
Machine embroidery on water-soluble fabric

I've really enjoyed making my little flock, refining my technique and thinking of how I will share this with participants. I want my workshops to be 'jumping off points.' I want to share my skills and knowledge but more importantly I want to give people the confidence to take what I've learnt and bend it to their interests and to take it further, try things I've never thought of and see where it could lead.

Large White
Machine embroidery on water-soluble fabric

Butterflies
Machine embroidery on water-soluble fabric

If this has sparked your interest and you'd like to join me to learn the techniques I've used to create my butterflies and to have a go at making your own unique textile piece then I will hopefully be running a workshop at Holm Sown, Castle Douglas on 15th February (TBC) and one at The Eden Workshop, Plumpton on 3rd April (TBC.) Please contact the respective venues for more details and to book a place. I hope to see you there!

Purple Hairstreak
Machine embroidery on water-soluble fabric

One mindful week in...

New Year, new handmade sketchbook

We're just over a week into 2019 and as my first post of the year was about looking back over 2018 and looking forward to this year I thought my second post could focus on how I'm doing that. As I wrote last time I don't have any resolutions as such but I am trying to be more mindful and to focus on what I'm doing and enjoy it rather than trying to do several things at once and worrying that I'm not achieving any of them.

Handmade sketchbook (details)

Handmade sketchbook 

When I look back through my notebooks I always see 'need more time for my own work' so I'm trying to address that by blocking out time in my week specifically to be in the studio. I wear so many (metaphorical) hats and work on so many different projects that it can be easy to lose myself in planning, preparation and admin tasks. I'm hoping that by giving myself specific times to do certain things I can get a better balance and be able to achieve more of the things I want to in my personal practice (this morning, for instance, I'm blogging and photographing and this afternoon I AM going to work in my studio.)

Handmade sketchbook (details)

Handmade sketchbook (details)

Handmade sketchbook (details)

Towards the end of last year I got quite down and felt very low creatively. I decided that I would not make any 'proper' work at all in December and that I would instead focus on doing things that I wanted to do; crocheting, making decorations, dress making and so on. All creative things but also things that I often neglect. I'm really pleased that I did this, once I'd made the decision to not 'work' I was able to really enjoy making and playing with materials. It was a really good chance to refresh myself and towards the end of December I could feel myself getting itchy to get going on my 'proper' work again, I had new ideas and was ready to start again.

Daily Drawing 1.1.19

Daily Drawing 2 and 3.1.19

Daily Drawing 8.1.19

I began the new year by making a sketchbook and I've been using this for my daily drawing, another thing that I find hugely beneficial but which can also often be bumped down the priorities list. I love my drawing time, I always feel so much calmer and more focused after drawing, even if I only draw for a few minutes. I've started drawing in the mornings before I go out to work and I find it's a really good positive start to my day. Drawing also helps me work through and clarify ideas so as well as drawings I have some pages of notes (in a different sketchbook, I like to have several on the go at once) about how work might progress. 

Inspired by Winifred Nicholson
Hand dyed fabrics, applique and hand embroidery

Inspired by Winifred Nicholson
The painting that inspired me and my interpretation

Inspired by Winifred Nicholson
(detail)

Inspired by Winifred Nicholson
(detail)

As well as keeping up with my daily drawing I've been looking to clear a couple of things from my WIP (works in progress) list and so far I've finished two pieces started on workshops at Cumberland Embroiderers Guild last year. One was from a workshop with Mandy Pattullo, making textile interpretations of Winifred Nicholson's paintings. I loved this workshop and learnt a lot, it was a quite different way of working for me and I found it quite hard but exciting and I think there are elements that I will take forward and incorporate in my own work. Many is a really good tutor and I learnt a lot from her during this session. It was also a really good way of properly looking at Nicholson's paintings and I enjoyed that side of it too.

Bushkiri 

Bushkiri (detail)

Bushkiri (detail)

The second piece was from a workshop with Hilary Kimber, who showed us how to make Bushkiri (Indian dowry bags.) Again, I really enjoyed the workshop and had a lot of fun playing with colours and stitches. I'm very pleased to have these pieces finished as there is the catharsis of finishing and of having a clear desk (I don't actually have a clear desk, that would be silly...) and I'm also pleased with the finished pieces. I've learnt a lot form both of them and enjoyed making them.

Work in progress on sample for a new workshop

I've also been working on some samples for a new workshop I'm running this year, again new ideas are coming into my head and feeding into other areas of my work. I'm getting quite excited about the possibilities so I think I'm going to save writing any more about it for another post, watch this space...

Looking Back and Looking Forwards

Like all years 2018 had its ups and downs, although it felt like a lot more downs than ups to be honest! I haven't really felt like writing much on the blog at all recently and I haven't felt like doing my usual end of year reflection post so instead I've put together a couple of little slideshows of some of the things I've been up to this year. It's been a good chance to look back over all the good things from the year and some of the great projects I've been involved with. I'm starting this new year full of inspiration and positivity and am looking forward to a happy and creative 2019.

The first video is a mix of work I've made, exhibitions I've been part of, other things I've made and publications. The year started off really positively with an exhibition at RSPB Geltsdale and other highlights included having my Shadow-work tutorial published in Be Creative with Workbox magazine, the Embroiderers Guild '100 Hearts' project and exhibiting with Decorum at Farfield Mill. I had a bit of a creative slump in the second half of the year but I feel like I'm back on the up now with lots of new ideas to try out this year.

The second video is a mix of the workshops I've run and the projects I've been involved with through my roles at Heathlands and Prism Arts. My favourite project has to be the Processions banner made with a group at Prism Arts, both the making and the procession itself far exceeded my expectations and it was a real pleasure to work with everyone in the group. This years Heathlands quilt was also a lot of fun and I've run lots of workshops where I've met lovely people, been inspired and seen great work being created. Here's to more exciting collaborations for 2019!

One of the things I've definitely got better at over the past year is living in the moment more and enjoying things more. If I have a new years resolution it's this; to enjoy the simple things and not worry so much about the bigger picture. Here's to a happy, peaceful and creative New Year for us all!

Back in the studio...

Dipper
Machine embroidery and fabric paint on cotton. 2018

Over the past couple of weeks I've been able to get back into my studio a bit more and it feels really good to be working there again. We've had quite a stressful few months for various reasons and I haven't had much time to focus on my own practice. I had a look back through my book of knowledge (the notebook that contains all my thoughts, to-do lists, projects, ideas and so on) and I kept seeing 'need more time for my work' so I'm really pleased to finally be able to spend a bit of time on my own practice.

Dipper (detail)
Machine embroidery and fabric paint on cotton. 2018

Dipper (detail)
Machine embroidery and fabric paint on cotton. 2018

Mr. Stitches and I try and go for a walk every day as it has so many benefits for both mental and physical well-being and on one of our evening walks last week we saw three dippers together. I often see them along the river but usually only one at a time. I'd been thinking for a while about doing a dipper portrait and seeing them on our walk prompted me to actually get on and do it. I decided it would be a good project to get myself back into working in my studio.

Design drawing

I began by drawing out my dipper, I only make portraits of birds I've seen because it's important to me to observe and then capture a bit of their character rather than just what they look like. I love the way the dipper moves and the way it suddenly disappears underwater, it always seems as if it's been swept away but then it pops up again, fine and unharmed. To create my drawings I do use photographs and reference books as well as any quick sketches I've made whilst watching the bird to supplement my memory of the bird.

Work in progress

Work in progress

I then used my sewing machine to 'draw' my dipper onto fabric. I started with a black outline and then added some hints of other colours. I didn't want to put a background in, as I very rarely do, but I did want my dipper to have something to perch on so I added a rock and some swirling water so it wasn't floating in space. At this point I hadn't decided whether or not I was going to add any applique or paint; I was keen to experiment a bit with paint and in the end this is what I decided to do.

Rook
Machine embroidery and fabric paint on linen. 2016

Often when I use fabric paint I use the paint first and add the embroidery over the top but for this piece I wanted to do the reverse. I made a portrait of a rook a couple of years ago using this technique and I've been thinking about experimenting more with it recently. I wanted the result to be quite watery and for the colours to bleed out into each other and the background. I wanted to do it this way partly to evoke the watery world of the dipper but also to suggest the fragility of the bird and it's environment; our wildlife and environment are under so much pressure and I wanted to comment on this.

Sketches, books and work in progress

From sketch to drawing to finished piece

I really enjoyed making this piece, although at several points I considered abandoning it as it wasn't going quite as I envisaged. I'm pleased with the way the fabric paint has worked and I think this might be an interesting idea to explore further in other pieces. As an added bonus I received a message asking if the piece was for sale after I posted a picture on Facebook. It's always a nice confidence boost when someone wants your work on their wall and I'm delighted that the dipper will be going to a home where it will be appreciated!

Changing Impressions: Remembrance Workshops at Cumbria's Museum of Military Life

Objects and samples ready for the workshop

Earlier in the Summer I wrote a couple of posts about projects I've been involved in connected to the centenary of the end of the First World War. One of the projects I've been involved with was designing and delivering a drop in workshop (two actually) for Cumbria's Museum of Military Life as part of their Remembrance 100 programme.

Stitching

Making a rubbing

Adding stitching

In all honesty drop in workshops are not my favourite; the activity needs to be accessible and achievable in a very short time frame but should also be able to be extended if visitors want to stay, you never know how many people you're going to get and a lot like busses participants tend to either not turn up at all or all come at once! However, they are a great way of getting people in to museums and offer an easy way for people to participate which I do think is a really good thing.

Exploring colour

Rubbings and stitching

Adding stitching

Memory and how it changes over time is a theme I'm currently exploring in my own work so I was interested in creating a workshop that looked quite broadly at remembrance; what it means to remember and how that changes. (I wrote a bit about this on my post about the Remembrance 100 exhibition if you're interested to read more.) I'd also been asked to give the workshop a textiles focus, which was good for me as of course I love working with textiles.

Getting involved

Getting involved

Getting involved

I decided to create a workshop called 'Changing Impressions.' Using fabric crayons and cotton fabric I encouraged participants to make a rubbing of an object, creating an impression of it. If they wanted to they could then further embellish their rubbing with stitch. The idea was that by taking a rubbing from the object you would create an impression of it; it's from the object and bears a resemblance to it but it's not the same in the same way that our memories of things are not the same as the actual things (or events.) Further embellishment further changes the memory of the object imprinted on the cloth, just as each time we revisit a memory it subtly changes.

Workshop results

Workshop results

Workshop results

I really enjoyed running the sessions, both were well attended and what I loved was seeing participants, particularly the children, become very engaged in what they were doing and focusing on the process. In our increasingly fast paced world I think it's increasingly important to find time to stop, slow down and properly engage with an activity, especially one that uses the hands. I think I created several converts to hand embroidery, more than one child was heard to ask if they could go and buy threads to do some sewing at home. It was also lovely to see family groups sit and work together, supporting and encouraging each other and creating memories as well as exploring them.

Workshop results