TAST latest samples

The last two weeks of TAST challenge samples. See all of the samples so far on my flickr account.

OYSTER STITCH this took some time mastering but it flows easily from the needle. Works well as a bulk/filling stitch as well as a movement and more structured stitch. I used some of my Oliver Twist variegated threads.


BONNET STITCH this stitch allows for movement and in different thicknesses of thread it can be used in many ways.

Embellished Postcard

This postcard has been completed from a piece of embellished felt on my Xpression. I used mainly wool rovings but there are other fibres in there. The embroidery was to represent the colours of March. This year everything is so green and so early. Fresh greens and the new shoots of bulbs, grass and shrubs. The postcard was my March contribution for the 6x4 lives flickr group. I am not totally happy with colour repo it is actually much brighter/richer than this.

NUNO FELT WORKSHOP

Thoroughly enjoyed this workshop last Saturday. For full details of the whole day's events go to the Silk-n-Threads Blog. Here are my finished results.

Two pieces of white silk chiffon trapped white and green wool rovings in a grid pattern. In between the gaps in the grid pattern circles of green wool and pink silk tops. The ends of the rovings used for the grid can be seen at the edges of the four sides. If you click on the picture you can clearly see the crinkly effect achieved when the wool shrinks and is pushed through the chiffon.
The finished result is strong and has a great tactile appeal. Cushion or Wall Hanging, can't make my mind up!

In these two pieces a predyed piece of silk chiffon had wool rovings and silk tops arranged on top before felting using a traditional wet method. I feel an embroidery or two coming on!






FUSHIA

OCEAN

EMBELLISHER - FIRST ATTEMPT

JUST GOT MY HANDS ON MY NEW TOY!
My Janome Xpression has just arrived and I couldn't wait to try it out. I went to the NEC at Birmingham last week to the Stitching for Pleasure exhibition and tried out as many embellishers as I could whilst there. Came home with lots of samplers. I had done research beforehand as to cost, delivery and guarantees over the internet, as well as ask as many bloggers as possible as to which they would recommend based on their usage of the machines. I decided on the Janome as it has an easy to reach separate compartment for the large amounts of fluff. It has five needles which can be removed separately with pliers to replace, I was assured, and I have already tried to do this successfully. So my first attempt was to create a motif for a denim bag that I have had for many years, my daughter was going to throw it out! I used a grey felt as the base and wool rovings, net, silk tops and novelty knitting wool for the design which evolved as I worked on it. After completing the motif I then needle felted it to the denim, it was so much easier than I thought it would be.

This closeup shows the variety of threads and fibres used and how they felt so well together. I learnt a lot from my first attempt and the potential for creating new fabrics and embellishing with embroidery seems endless. Watch this space for more creations.

TAST - Couching & Knotted Cretan Stitch

Slightly behind with posting this sample. I used a combination of threads to couch and several stitches to actually couch with. The Chevron stitch works particularly well as a contrast.
I used 'Oliver Twist' threads for this group of Knotted Cretan stitches. An excellent stitch for grouping together.