Tuesday 12 May 2015

Chapter 4 : Decorate with Stitchery

There is something about the comfort and pleasure of hand stitching.  Not a new observation, I know, but one I enjoyed recognising at the exhibition "Frayed" in February last year.  I hope that these thoughts will echo again when I listen to a talk next month about John Craske at our local bookshop.

Below then are spirals of pleasure and comfort exploring hand-dyed and bought threads on hand-dyed habotai silk, silk organza and patterned cotton.



4:1
 Running stitch and couched spirals.

 4:2
 A number of stretched springs offset in different thicknesses of thread, including fine metallic which was also used to couch the self-dyed gimp.  The design is a response to the monoprinting beneath.

 4:3
 Ready patterned and hand-dyed cotton were the base for this sample.  This time I used the stair edges as the design motif for the stitching.  What appeared on the fabric was a flowerbed!

4:4
This sample began by exploring spirals created by straight lines using a variety of space-dyed threads.  As the piece evolved -- and it may not be finished yet -- I added couching, fly stitch and wrapped spirals more reminiscent of barbed wire than staircases.

3 comments:

  1. The tones and thickness of thread pick up the details so well, bravo!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Judith, Thank you for your comment. Now grappling with my sewing machine! Hope to post that soon.

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  2. I love your hand stitching. They are all beautiful but I particularly like 4:3.

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