alistitches

Module 3 ch 8 To the edge

2012-01-27T23:42:00.000-08:00

Another post!
Here is chapter 8, this definitely put me over the edge when I started last year. I wanted to complete the chapter during these two weeks I am at home as my sewing machine is sending messages it needs a service, and that can be done while i am at work.
These edges seemed a chore last year so I stopped, but now having time to explore I did another drawing /design and enjoyed making the final samples.

Section 1
The material I chose was the only one I had with water on it, it is a patchwork fabric I have had for ages and not used. Here are the first drawings:

Section 2
Now the edges. It was an opportunity to use some of the scraps and failed samples I have hoarded

The pages are numbered but not necessarily the right way round when scanned

some of these fabrics are from module 2 and 3 of the certificate. The flax shapes above on p31 were made for diploma module 1 - I have about another 20 to go, and the scraps of machine stitching in blue are oddments from the neckpiece made for diploma. Interesting to put scraps together in a different way.

p36 are remains of practice stamps with acrylic paint and fabric paint. The house stamp was where I attempted to melt embossing powder and succeeded in burning the fabric, that was the day the smoke alarm went off.

Section 3
Next to translating design into stitches. I did another drawing now I understood what it was all about.
This drawing is a water colour wash, with water soluble pastels for the water, painted semi transparent paper (green) with an overlay with flowers and leaves on baking paper in oil pastels/ crayons. I havent written it on paper yet. The key for fabric sample is on this page.

above is scanned, and below is a photo.

Now back to playing with paper and paint.
I hope all the distant stitchers are enjoying their sewing. It is always interesting and encouraging to me to see your posts.

Assessment piece 2: evaluation, costing and authentication for piece 2 and module 3

2012-01-14T20:41:00.000-08:00

Here is the paper work for assessment piece 2- using metallic threads

Hooray its done. Now to tidy up and have a large glass of wine to celebrate.

goldwork assessment piece design and sewing 2

2012-01-14T19:59:00.000-08:00

Here are more photos on sewing the treasure casket
These are the mockups of the pice. The small model is made from dyed and stamped calico plus pelmet vilene
The actual piece is tea dyed and painted and stamped green silk outer layer, hand made silk paper lining which is machine embroidered, with a middle layer of pelmet vilene for stiffening between.

Firstly the small model and paper full size model.

next is a photo of the A2 design sheet

authentication for piece and module 3

Here are photos of the assembly of casket with the necklace displayed as on a tray and inside, hidden from view.

Inside surface, silk paper machine embroidered + necklace

The casket is fastened with machine cord loops and rolled metal "buttons"

And the other side

one last picture-imagine under the sea on a sunny day

I shall go and find the paper work for a next posting to finally drown this piece.

goldwork assessment piece design and sewing

2012-01-14T19:00:00.000-08:00

Sian gave me website addresses to explore so I redesigned and decided this time I would just do it, and sew.
below are design sheets and photos of my metallic thread treasure casket.

These 2 pages below are an A2 sheet with actual size drawing on so imagine them side by side. I will place a photo later

Next I made paper mockups and a small fabric /vilene trial. This photo is after the sewing sequence

Then came sewing
Below are close up of the embroudery. I used my resolved sample module 2 and the samples made in module 2 to select the threads and stitches as well as the amall samples on the design sheet

In the photos the background looks prominent compared to stitching probably because of the light I used. the balance is better seen in the photos of finished object.
I am going to post this in 2 posts as this is fourth session I have tried to upload the scans and photos and it takes sooooo long when you dont succeed.

Design for gold work piece module 2

2011-08-19T20:14:00.000-07:00

After publishing a design and getting comments from Sian, it was back to the drawing board for a piece with metallic threads.
I wanted to carry on with the idea of a repository for the necklace, Sian suggested looking at ways of display rather than a bag structure.
I experimented as in image below left, with a presentation tray made from water soluble stitch with superimposed metallic thread embroidered images-I have sewn taniwha shapes on the bottom. The colours are not those I would necessarily use- I was experimenting with some scraps, and was aiming for a mussel shell shape- it would be cut out or sewn to the mussel shape. The necklace is at the front.

I then explored a woven structure to resemble a cray pot as on R above, with ball of green thread inside. The pot would be made of silk paper woven strips ornamented with metallic thread- and mostly machine stitching. I rather liked this idea but would need to stiffen the paper or use pelmet vilene to make it stiff enough.

I then looked for other shapes associated with my estuary theme. I had been down at the estuary drawing boathouses, boats, the mooring buoys and fishing floats and I thought a fishing float shape ie spherical, opening out to a flat surface would fit with my wanting a "safe place" and to display the necklace. The paper version is in image below on the left, the actual piece needs to be about 2cm larger diameter. I then made a smaller silk paper version, with metallic thread zig zag machine stitches on, and did a couple of motifs- they are seahorses, in metal and sewed some chiffon to the silk paper shape. This complemented the necklace and I liked the idea.

I have made some silk paper in blue/ white which I shall stitch, I shall use blue chiffon as the inner fabric and will decorate the inner side over the silk paper with stamping and or stitching - as used on the back of the necklace shapes. This will mask the back of hand stitching /couching on the front. The "float" will be gathered with machine cord and loosely tied. The stitching will include cable stitch with metallic thread around the silk paper shapes, a motif on each segment, maybe all seahorses sewn with couching, pieces of metal, beads etc, I need to experiment some more on the exact layout of stitching.
below is the silk paper before stitch/ decoration

Now back to module 3.

Sketch book challenge Day 30

2011-08-18T18:09:00.000-07:00

Final post of sketch book challenge. I am very happy I started the challenge and have completed it. When I see my work posted I can see the good and the not so good. I have enjoyed seeing other students work- distant stitchers are a talented lot- and I think "Oh is that how you do it- I must try that", so thank you.

Day 30 was drawing stitching and painting. It has not been outdoor weather here - snow - not settling where I live so I could get to work, so no daylight, and back to the red watering can.

Drawing + stitching- I used 2 different thicknesses of perle, thicker thread to emphasise watering can

Then watercolour paint and image from wet print. On the wet image - the double outline on the twigs of japonica and rose was formed when I pressed the pages twice to darken the image, unintentional but I like the effect.
Thank you Sian for the challenge, I have enjoyed it and I hope to use the days' tasks as incentive to practice.

Sketch book challenge Days 28, 29

2011-08-13T21:53:00.000-07:00

Day 28 Monoprinting
The task was to draw cylindrical objects and then monoprint them. I found it easier to draw the cylinders in my sketch book and trace them. The traced image was then pencilled over when positioned on the back of the monoprint, this was useful for day 29 to align for 2nd printing. I used black printing ink and gold acrylic paint, and different papers to explore the effects. I now need more practice on drawing cylinders. It was two fun days trying out things without expectations of it being "good"

The image on the left was in the sketchbook - too much ink and blurred- I repeated it after re-rolling the plate on a piece of copy paper. I then monoprinted in green to L image-this did not improve it.
Below are the prints on different papers I tried
Top L, soft yellow paper decorated with gold , top R and bottom L decorated tissue,- lining for albums I think, black print and gold acrylic, bottom R gold acrylic on black paper

Day 29 Swirling ellipses
The task -1: monoprint a second colour to add detail, clarification, shadow/ floating lines or another object and 2: draw into the ink/paint on the plate to produce a negative image.
1: I had plenty of images from day 28 to play with, most of them rejects that were not improved,-however I was pleased with one of the prints on top R in image below. I used green printing ink or gold acrylic for 2nd layer
All but bottom L were on copy paper. Top L black and green ink monoprint. Top R gold acrylic + green ink- the gold image was not clear on one side so I added monoprinted extra lines in green which made it more interesting as it was not quite aligned. Bottom L gold acrylic + green ink- this would have been better with another light colour. Bottom R green ink + gold acrylic. The green ink was too wet for the monoprint so I added a second layer of gold

2: The page below shows drawing onto the print plate-green ink and gold acrylic- I used the blunt end of a brush to draw- they would probably look better if I had varied the drawing instrument- thick and thin lines. The bottom R I did at the end before washing plate- I had a small piece of watercolour paper on my desk so I did a quick drawing and then monoprinted I like the texture of the paper on the print.

Well distant stitchers I shall have to find my course work again, one day to go in this challenge and a couple of weeks before my ski holiday. I need to organise my sewing so I am not taking the contents of work room plus sewing machine with us.

Sketchbook days 16 -26

2011-08-12T04:53:00.000-07:00

Here are the next days of sketch book challenge. It is easier to catch minutes to do my sketchbook than to post.

Day 16 Ripping and sticking
Practice page

Assembled

Day 17 rest

Day 18 Jungle textures
This was a challenge as I needed trees/ foliage and daylight. Pot plants never reach vigorous growth at my house and as I go to work in the dark and come home in the dark it was tricky . Winter...
The task was to find your jungle, make representational marks/ scratches onto surface and cover with colour, so the scratches were emphasised.
1: I used a craft knife to make indents plus water colour penciL This is of an imaginary cabbage tree- we have one outside the house but I was not home in daylight to draw it

Not too successful and has cuts through the paper

2: This page is green oil pastel marked with a craft knife, then blue oil pastel was added and more marks added. I used the blade flat for the 2nd markings to more resemble cabbage tree leaves. The facing page shows cuts of page above as well as pale impression of this page

Last weekend I was away and did these pages- this was of jasmine in bud against a wall
3 Marks made with blunt end of scissors + watercolour paint and watercolour pencil

4 Indents made with end of scissors + oil stick

Day 19 layers of colour
Back to the imaginary cabbage tree

1: layers of blue and green water colour with knife marks before each colour

2: layers of orange and blue paint with knife marks before each colour-

this worked better with more contrast between colours and making the 2nd cuts when the page was wet

Day 20 wax resist
1: White crayon resist, green water colour, scraped back with end of scissors, and blue water colour added
Note a good impression of the cuts from page above. I was finding drawing lines to represent cabbage trees unsatisfactory and it looks like I had the book upside down

2: White crayon + watercolour- red + light green , more crayon and blue and green water colour over the top
This was another impression of the jasmine- with white blooms

Days 21 and 22 Sgraffito
D21: Trial page using different media

Day 22 Sgraffito
My first attempts are best left in the sketchbook, but I did more drawings this afternoon and liked 2 & 3 below
1: Watercoloured pencil, white crayon, oil stick scraped back with end of paintbrush- this is jasmine drawn last weekend

2: Crayon + oil pastel scraped back with craft knife- camellias in garden- I was at home in daylight today

3: Crayon plus oil stick- scraped back with craft knife- lemon tree in the garden

Days 23 & 24 rest
Day 25 Getting into perspective

Day 26 Carbon copies
1: Practice with media- chalk top half, oil pastel at the bottom with oil pastel, crayon , pencil and water colour pastel on top in lines. - scored from next page to leave impression on facing page - the grid. All media transferred except the pencil would not draw over pastel so no transfer.

2: Chair chalk + oil pastel-
There are 2 chairs in this one

3:Chalk + crayon
The first image is the drawing of chair used for impressions. I don't think i would want to sit on this chair

these are the copies that are made when I drew the chair on a page after the one with colour laid down and then rubbing end of pencil in the negative spaces (see Sian's blog for explanation)

Day 27 Carbon copies 2
This is the drawing used

And the copies - the left with an eraser over lines, the right by pressure over original drawing above.

Well, I am looking forward to tomorrow to play with monoprinting that Sian has just posted. Good night.

Summer sketchbook challenge- Days 14,15

2011-07-30T03:30:00.000-07:00

I have done two days of sketchbook challenge today. I am at home for a weekend in winter "on call" so it was good to have the sketchbook to play with.
I have continued with my second arrangement of pepper, mango and tamarillos, these gave simpler shapes and are still intact.
Day14 Continue with Colour-
Today you use other coloured media, I used coloured pencils at the top for the tamarillo and oil pastels for the mango

Then I chose to use oil pastels to colour one of the copies

Day 15 Scribble away- use pens and felt tips-
I used pens and biro as I had red, orange, light and dark green, purple and blue which was just sufficient.

The highlights are different because I did day 14 in daylight and these scribbles this evening. Tip - dont mark your highlight areas in the darkest colour- looks most odd.

These coloured studies were fun to do using the scanned copies, and I learned about the media and using lots of colours.
I have no excuse now not to watch the rugby SA vs NZ.

Summer sketchbook challenge- Days 11,12,13

2011-07-29T03:51:00.000-07:00

I had two goes at these challenges: Mixing colours for day 11, Colouring in day 12 and Shining highlights day 13. The first series are of a watering can, some leaves, rosehips and a camellia. Complicated for me and objects either too small -the rosehips or dominating -the watering can.
Day 11 mixing colours- top sheet- coloured pencil, bottom- water colour

Day 12 Colouring in

Day 13 Shining highlights

By the time I finished painting the camellia on the 3rd day it was very sad looking.
For the second series I chose a red pepper, 2 tamarillos and a mango on a piece of dyed calico

Day 11 mix colours
on the left is watercolour, R top is coloured pencil and bottom R is oil pastel

Day 12 Colouring in

and day 13 shining highlights

Would be better without the spiral, and with the tamarillo in a more interesting position but this worked for me as in this 2nd series the highlights are better.

Onto the next day- Day 14.
Please keep posting challengers as it is interesting to see our different approaches.

Summer sketchbook challenge

2011-07-26T02:08:00.000-07:00

Hello distant stitchers.
Summer school looked great and it is good that people post their work- thank you.
I haven't been doing much stitching lately, as life gets in the way of course work. I had also decided I wanted to be able to draw and paint/ use colour better to add to coursework so while I was in a stitching slump I have been doing a drawing class and some painting.
Sian's sketchbook challenge was welcome to follow on and to keep me practising.
Below is my first week- I have done the challenge every one to two days, and as it takes longer for me to post than to draw I waited to post. I am posting the drawings to help motivate me, a challenge indeed.

Day 1,2,3 starting out teabags and shapes

Day 4 text and draw

Day 5 Learning lines
This was an excuse to read the old magazines I'd saved "just in case" I needed them. I thought I'd find healthy food pictures but I found organic beauty products, which seemed to fit with my pockmarked though sweet orange.

Day 6 Sunshine and shadow

Day7 Getting bigger

Day 8 Drawing between the lines
Shells - every time I go to the beach outside Wellington I come back with shells, now I can use them, the shapes are challenging and colours subtle

Day 9 Puzzling patterns
A teatowel and piece of fabric gave lovely soft folds.

Well -on to next week- a challenge to find those objects- I can not use the vegetables as they are repurposed for the evening meal, and the flowers I have found are dead before I get to draw. It will have to be winter colours.
I have not fathomed how to scan A5, so apologies for grey space

Thank you Sian for blogging this challenge- I enjoy reading the blog post as much as attempting the drawing.
It takes much time to prepare and post these so thank you for time, effort and sharing.

I am looking forward to seeing our results from the second week.

Assessment piece 2- design and development- metallic materials

2010-09-29T20:52:00.000-07:00

Below are my ideas for the assessment piece using metallic materials. It is a pouch designed to hold the neck piece made (assessment piece 1) as in a previous posting.
The taniwha swims through the estuary to the sea, he is not very noticeable blending with the water and carrying the pouch with the treasure. The light reflects off his body and off the water.

The colours of the fabrics are greyer when scanned. I shall use different colours in the bobbin for the cable stitch on the taniwha to add extra colour, and the taniwha will be sewn with a calico or felt backing to raise it and enhance the colour of the cotton. The chiffon is two tone- blue and green - not very obvious on the scan. The cords will be blues and green threads machine stitched- not pink wool.
Well I shall get back to module 3 whilst I wait for Sian's comments.
Happy stitching to all distant stitchers.

Module 3, chapter 6, Constructed fabric methods-Knit

2010-09-12T03:13:00.000-07:00

Chapter 6 gives a choice between knit or weave- I wondered how those complicated knitting patterns with holes and lace effects were done, but my knitting was so slow I did not get beyond plain and purl and I abandoned knitting. I thought this module gave me a chance to learn without having to actually make anything. So I bought a book with simple diagrams of what all those abbreviations meant- psso etc and started.
I enjoyed trying textures/ patterns to fit with the estuary theme. I hope the scans are clear enough.

Next on to edges and design for metallic piece.
Enjoy your stitching.

module 3 Chapter 5: Stitched braids

2010-06-28T03:26:00.000-07:00

Stitching braids for chapter 5 gave me lots of practice with decorative stitches and sewing satin stitch shapes. Combining the braids gave interesting textiles as I selected the braids randomly. P13 is first page.

p16

Enjoy summer school all those who are going. Maybe next year.

Module 3 Chapter 2: Braid stitches as a printing block

2010-06-28T03:09:00.000-07:00

Here are the printing/ rubbing blocks I used. The 2 thicker braids are hemp and the other is cotton, all are sewn on rug canvas and attached to pieces of driftwood.

Module 3 Chapter 4: Stenciled braids onto fabric

2010-05-30T02:39:00.000-07:00

Ch 4: Stenciled braids onto fabric
I took the pieces of material I dyed for module 1 that were not the colour I wanted (the dull greens and orange), or were left over from the certificate (they didn't make the grade then) and I attempted to convert them into something interesting and useable.
It was illuminating - I was limited in choice of colour in paint sticks and fabric paints as they have been collected as I do a module. My study topic is the Hutt river estuary - with flax, shells, river and sea etc. I found if I chose a colour that did not fit either the the topic or the colour of the background eg mauve or chlorophyll, I could improve it by adding more layers. I was almost beaten with the light yellow and mauve on dull green, but dark blue stencil placed to cover the other colours helped. The other learning point which is obvious if I had thought is Deka silk paints out of the jar cannot be used for stencils- hence the appearance of red overdye on paler dyed fabric.

ch 4 stenciled designs p12

In these small samples the stencil designs may be hard to see particularly when 2or 3 are overlaid. But I like the complexity - I used calico, voile and scrim as background.
Now onto ch 5 and making braids.
Good stitching every one.

Module 3 chapter 3. Paper Braids as Stencils

2010-05-30T02:03:00.000-07:00

chapter 3- paper braids as stencils- woven and open structures P10

Next shaped braids and single hollow shapes P11

I developed a dreadful cold so stayed at home and slept and late afternoon did some of the hollow shapes.
The weekend has been cold with a lot of rain, and so as I was mainly house bound I got on with chapter 4.

Module 3 chapter 2. Development work from research

2010-05-30T01:48:00.000-07:00

module 3 got more fun when it was time to get the pencils, threads and paints out. I used dish cloth cotton for the braid samples and hessian rope for 2 of the braid blocks and the cotton for the other. I looked for an inexpensive option.
first drawing patterns p6

next braid stitches as printing blocks- I was on holiday when I did most of these and I pinned the rug canvas with braid stitch onto drift wood with sewing pins- it worked OK.
Pages 7 and 8 (apologies I put the number on these 2 sheets after scanning)

and finally p9 Plaited and woven braids and knots

I did my 3 D piece and extra work for module 2 after this so it was a while before I got back to module 3.

Module 3 Chapter 1. Historical Study of English Embroidery: Tudor Period

2010-05-30T01:24:00.000-07:00

I am posting my work on Module 3 ch 1-4 - each chapter as separate posts
Chapter 1 is the study of strapwork during the Tudor period.

The historical study always seems daunting but I enjoyed attempting to draw the strapwork patterns. I am in awe of the people who designed and drew patterns for tiles, clothing, furnishings and then reproduced them.

3 D functional object- necklace

2010-05-27T02:38:00.000-07:00

I have experimented and rethreaded shapes and can now wear the necklace comfortably. Below are my final design sheets and pictures of the final necklace. It would also look look good as decoration on a jacket or suspended with the light on it.

Now I can get back to module 3. I shall post at the weekend the first 2 chapters. I am so relieved to have completed this piece. Enjoy your sewing all the distant stitchers.

Updates for module 2

2010-05-22T03:31:00.000-07:00

Another long gap in posting - our printer/ scanner broke and photos of work were not detailed enough. I am now mastering the new scanner and have finally done updates that Sian asked for, to complete work on module 2.

More samples for chapter 3- Sian suggested that some of my stitched samples didn't match with the papers and perhaps I could do a sample to reflect a paper in the colours of the paper. Well I must confess I don't always read the instructions well, and I did do some decorated papers, put them away, then got out all the ugliest threads I wanted to lose and did some sewing.
the samples below I like a lot more

Next more detail on shapes and figures and main pattern for the opus anglicanum study

For chapter 5 Sian suggested less conventional items as threads and mesh- so I have used some wind break cloth, raffia as a substitute for dried reeds, old fishing line found on the beach at the Hutt estuary and some cotton dyed thread.

As you can see I have not sorted out how to change the scanner back to A4 size after I finally got it to scan A3
The next challenge suggested was to use more personal materials in couched samples for chapter 6- well I knew I was collecting the metal wine bottle tops for something and I think when cut up they make good beach debris, and suns and or flowers. The inner seal is cut in shapes from the historical study. I also used bent (found) wire and painted flax pods, painted plastic tube and foil plus the fishing line. All of these could be found at the estuary after a good southerly storm.

Finally I have done additional sewing on two of my samples for chapter 9 - the top sample p13 and lower sample for p 14.

I wanted to compare the scanner with my photo taken on digital camera so here is my resolved sample again.

I have made the 3D necklace but have to restring it all so my next posting will be soon.

Enjoy your sewing Distant Stitchers and please keep posting your work.

3D design

2010-02-12T00:41:00.000-08:00

hello all distant stitchers
I have had a break from design and modules as I was in summer mode and wanted to sew a quilt- it comes to me every couple of years. Now I have a quilt top which needs quilting and will be a UFO for a while- sewing simple shapes together is so peaceful and undemanding.
It gave me a boost to get back to my design using a mussel shell.

At summer school I used a Welsh mussel shell which was long and lean- I couldn't bring one back so I am using NZ mussel shells which are chunkier-
I have experimented again with shape and colour following Sian's comments and I like this single shape much better. Thank you Sian. It now reflects more what I imagined. Sian suggested lighter colours, I have line stitched the edges in a light blue which is more forgiving than a dark blue, but perhaps I need darker blue in the "shells" for impact and to echo the mussel shell colour.

The back will be the top stitched pattern. The cord is a machine stitched cord from perle and floss.

I am off on holiday for 2 weeks and i have packed a survival kit of sewing including my machine, my module 3, 5 books to read and some drawing / art materials. All this takes up more room than the shorts and tee shirts I need for the beach.
One of the distant stitchers asked that i post some of module 2- I shall post after the holiday- I have my extra sewing to do for Sian.
good sewing to all

Module 2 resolved sample- goldwork

2009-11-16T23:37:00.000-08:00

Module 2 is now in the post to Sian
This resolved sample is based on the design work in module 2 using head and face silhouettes. My daughter was the model.
The sewing includes underside couching, foils, machine stitching, cords, patinised copper and puree tubes as well as a range of threads including Jap gold, braided thread, rayon, and machine sewing thread plus some coloured viscose ribbon and floss- The background is dyed calico from leftover dye from module 1. Now it is back to the design for the 3 D piece and goldwork.

Taniwha's treasure

2009-08-13T01:15:00.000-07:00

Since Janet Edmond's wonderful workshop at summer school I have worked on a new design for the 3D object.
My research topic for the diploma is a study of the Hutt river estuary in Wellington Harbour and I decided to use the mussel shell shape I used at the workshop to create a design for a necklace - a taniwha's treasure.

First posting

2009-05-11T03:08:00.000-07:00

I am now studying Module 2 of the Diploma in Embroidery. I will be posting the work I have done for module 2 (when I have worked out how) and before I leave NZ for Europe and Summer School. I am looking forward to meeting all the distant stitch bloggers.