Delicate Stitches: wedding

Showing posts with label wedding. Show all posts

Sunday, 12 July 2015

The Crafty Hen

Textile Flower Table decorations

In my continuing quest to avoid having a proper job one of the things I've been doing is working for The Crafty Hen. They run crafty workshops all over the country for hen parties, baby showers, corporate events and other celebrations and my role as a 'little hen' is to lead the groups chosen session. There's a whole range of sessions available including bespoke bouquets, ceramic painting and knicker customisation! I've run three sessions so far; two textile flower sessions and a fascinator making session. All have been for Hen parties and have been a lot of fun.

Making textile flowers

For me it's a really nice and relaxed job as I don't have to plan or organise the session, the materials and details are all sent up to me and then I travel off to wherever the party is (usually a nice holiday cottage in pretty rural Cumbria) and deliver the workshop. Because the parties are not aimed specifically at crafters the activities are such that anyone can take part.

Making textile flowers

Running these sessions is really fun, everyone is there to have a good time and enjoy themselves so the atmosphere is usually quite upbeat and positive. They also tend to be groups of friends so they are already comfortable with each other which makes a big difference. There are usually one or two crafty people and they tend to help everyone else out which seems to work well.

Making textile flowers

I am used to adapting my approach to suit a whole range of abilities and I am used to working with groups that can potentially be quite challenging and demanding so for me these sessions seem quite relaxed. Although every participant is different the overall level of ability and understanding is higher than many of the groups I work with. There is also a set outcome for each session which again makes things a lot more relaxed, I know what we are aiming for I just need to support the group to get there.

Fascinator making

I love my participatory work but it can be hard going so these sessions offer a bit of light relief. They also give me the chance to travel to some of the most beautiful parts of my county and help me overcome my driving phobias!

My example fascinator

Monday, 28 July 2014

Wedding Bits and Bobs

Celebratory Bird

It is once again the season of weddings and we've had two close together this year. Both of them were close friends and both incorporated a lot of handmade loveliness so it was only natural I suppose that somewhere along the line I would get drawn in! I always like working on personal commissions and special occasion pieces as it is nice to know where your work will end up and I like to think that the little bits that I make go to helping make the whole occasion even more special.

Little bags

Bead and charm detail

For the first wedding the lovely bride had done almost all the handmade bits herself but asked me to make a couple of little purses for her bridesmaids to wear round their wrists to keep all their essentials in. I used satin fabrics in the wedding colour scheme and finished off the bags with some heart shaped beads and little key charms. I did have a cunning plan of using bangles for the handles but it all went a bit awry so instead I used pretty ribbon and made them into drawstring pouches.

Corsage

Dress clips

Gathered jacket

I also replaced the buttons

The second wedding was very much a handmade affair with almost everything made by the couples friends and family. My contribution was altering the wedding dress, a lovely vintage piece with a lacy over jacket. I gathered up the jacket at the back to add a bit of structure and interest and made a corsage to finish it off. I also made some little clips so that the long dress could be (elegantly) hitched up for dancing and merry making!

Bird and Heart

Eye detail

Heart detail

As gifts for both couples I made bird cushions with hearts embroidered with their names and the date of the wedding. I forgot to take pictures of the first one but you get the idea from the second one! These birds are based on the one I made for another wedding commission earlier this year. Last, but not least, congratulations to both couples and may your lives together be happy and joyful.

Thursday, 2 January 2014

Happy Times

Wedding present commission

A while ago I was asked to create a pair of owls as a wedding present. I really enjoyed making them and, I am led to believe, the happy couple were very pleased with their owls, which had their names and special date embroidered on. So, I was very pleased to be asked to make another wedding present. This time I was asked to make a bird cushion in blacks and reds with the names and wedding date embroidered in silver.

Bird cushion with names and date

Head detail

I'm very pleased with how this guy has turned out, I played around with several different fabrics before settling on a heavy black cotton twill and some funky red cotton prints. I also enjoyed making the pattern for this cushion and I think it is one I will use again as I like the chunky shape.

Wing button

Stitch detail

I used buttons for the eyes and to affix the wings and I hand embroidered the name and date in chain stitch. I used a fine silver thread and after about three letters I remembered why I don't often use this kind of thread for embroidery; it snaps and uncoils frequently but I'm really pleased with the finished result and glad I persevered. I hope the happy couple are pleased with their present!

Saturday, 1 September 2012

A Summery Summary

Owl cushions commissioned for a wedding

Each owl had the wedding date embroidered on the back

Crazy Owls!

July and August, even more so than the rest of this insanely busy year, seem to have flashed before my eyes. Instead of attempting to recap and explain all the madness I thought I'd just post a few pictures of some of the things I've been up to. I've just got back from a much needed holiday and feeling pretty much human again. I think I might need to reassess that whole work/life balance thing. It's been fun but there has definitely not been enough sleep!