Tag: stitching

Are you joining in?

A number of us are taking part in a challenge – 365 days of a minimum of 15 minutes creativity each day. Why not join us? Nothing formal – just do SOMETHING creative – and yes, that cake that you thought about making will count as well….. if you make it.

As an encouragement there are a few daily photo prompts being published here, interspersed with some colour prompts too. They won’t come every day of the year – but already I’ve seen the results of some lovely work.

If you decide to take part and blog about your results – don’t forget leave a comment at the bottom of the appropriate post. In the meantime – here’s a little stitching based on the last colour challenge.  The picture will take you there.

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What are you doing on Saturday?

Due to pressure of work and family committments there will be no Be Creative in July. However, here is a chance to be as creative as you like and be rewarded for your efforts with an exchange!

Saturday August 2nd has been designated the National Celebration of Stitch. Various UK branches of the Embroiderers’Guild have organised venues for stitching, but what about those who are not members of a branch – or who can’t get to a venue – or just want to stitch where they are ……. Well, here is an event for you!

Artist Trading Cards are small works of art that can be made using any technique, but in celebration of Stitch this post is to announce an exchange of the little stitched cards. There is no specific theme, the only criteria is that some stitch must be included somewhere – hand stitching, machine stitching – your choice. ALL STANDARDS ARE WELCOME – YOU ONLY NEED AN INTEREST IN STITCHING TO TAKE PART.

If you would like to take part please complete the form below with your name and address. By completing the form you are committing to making an ATC and sending it to the participant whose name you will be given. This form goes directly to me – you will receive details from ATCexchange (at) gmail.com – you can also email directly if you prefer. Please pass the word too.

The old techniques are still fun

Painted Bondaweb has been a favourite technique for many for almost as long as I can remember. I first saw it demonstrated about 30 ago (goodness, that’s a bit scary) but there are still occasions when nothing else will do. Another technique from about the same time is one that uses up scraps of threads, and I recently found myself returning to it to make some quick cards. I actually remembered to take some photographs, so I thought I’d share them with you to either bring back memories – or show you something new. It’s quickly started on the sewing machine.

You need:

A backing fabric (I used a space dyed one, but almost anything will do), hand threads of almost any description (maybe this is an ideal opportunity to use all those odd ends that you can’t bear to throw away), a chiffon scarf in a suitable colour, an embroidery hoop and a toning multicoloured machine embroidery thread

stitched chiffon

I’ve already started to prepare in the above picture. I’ve chopped up a mix of hand threads and scraps of machine embroidery thread. You can see them on my background fabric. A red chiffon seemed the best for this mix, but always audition several to make sure you are achieving the right effect.

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Spread the chopped bits out onto your backing. If it’s space dyed you can leave a few small gaps, but you will probably want to covei the whole area. Next cover with a single layer of chiffon and place into the embroidery hoop.

I dropped the feed dogs of my machine, set it for the widest zigzag but made sure that the stitch length was zero. It isn’t essential to use free machine stitching, you could always stitch a grid using ordinary straight stitch.

Stitch at random, moving the hoop fairly quickly. The idea is to secure the edge and the threads so that they don’t escape during the next step.

Once everything is safe you can remove the fabric from the hoop and trim it. I used a Madeira Polyneon, it’s ideal for something like this. This is just one of the colours available – and they are all yummy.

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Now audition some hand threads

Mix and match. Your choice will change the character of the finished item.

Cover the surface with areas of stitching. French knots, seeding, little woven wheels, they are all good – and create very interesting effects

Add beads, cords, whatever takes your fancy. I can’t show you the finished item yet as it’s for a special card that’s still a secret. The technique, however, is suitable for a number of other items including little bags or book covers. Let me know if you give it a try – sometimes the ‘old’ techniques are worth remembering!

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