Seed Head Cards

A sneek preview of some of latest series of cards that are a development of my TechStyles exhibit.
The background is transfer printed pelmet vilene with free machine embroidery seed heads that were in the grounds of Quarry Bank Mill.

Cas Holmes workshop

This is very late but wanted to share some images taken on the Cas Holmes workshop back in February at West Dean college, Sussex.

The course was entitled

 'Using the Found - Stitch, Cloth and Memory'

We were encouraged to think green and use what we found and in this instance that was old textiles. old table linen, garments, embellishments etc.

We used all parts of the textiles, hems, cuffs seams in fact anything. We made stamps out of textiles and used stitch and fabric 'mark making' activities.

This is one side of my 'stamp'

Our substrates were old fabrics and paper. After producing an array of both by printing, dyeing or painting we used our stamps to create surface decoration.

This sample clearly shows the use of 'holey' piece of fabric used to print the blue strips. In the burgundy strips I used a high relief piece old lace.

Here this image shows a range of substrates and printing/stamping.

This was my favourite piece.

 It was from all of this that we then produced collages. Cas introduced us to her method of using wall paper paste to adhere the pieces together. Once this was dry I spent a joyful few hours free machine embroidering on top.

This sample used papers, lace that I used as a stamp, fruit tea bag paper.

 

 

This was an exercise when Cas gave us some random pieces that we had to incorporate into our collages. I found this challenging as I thought that I knew where I was going but a curved ball like this took us all out of our comfort zone.

 

This is the collage that I did eventually finish and mount. Much happier when in control.

 

 

By the end of the four days I was thinking about what I wanted to achieve in terms of the way I felt about the textiles that I was using rather  than let a technique lead me. This is a new way of thinking in relation to textile art but when I thought about it I have actually used this approach in the past, especially when using old textiles that mean something to me as in this piece entitled 'Memories', it was inspired by a piece of fabric that my mother bought when I was a baby but she never got round to making it up. the salmon colour has always staying with me and it sparked the colour choice for this piece of work.

 

Cas's teaching style is relaxed yet challenging, I thoroughly enjoyed the 4 days.

Macclesfield Silk Museum Exhibition

Here I am pointing to the free machine embroidery along the hem of my silk toile.

This is the view during the evening of the preview. The lighting helped make the ethereal effect that we wanted to show off the toiles to their best advantage.

There are more images on Textile 21's blog

Textile 21 Exhibition

As a member of Textile 21 I have been busy finishing my exhibit which is part of a 16 piece  installation. Fashioned in Silk is a departure for us away from the tradition textile art pictures on a wall exhibition. 16 silk organza toiles display embellishments that reflect members style and expertise. The image above is the one that is to appear in the local press and below a close up of the hem detail of my dress 'Effervescence'.

The circular design flows around the hem and employs free machine embroidery, applique and cable stitch. I used a wide range of silk fabrics.

The exhibition Fashioned in Silk starts 15th February to the 19th April at the Silk Museum, Park lane, Macclesfield, SK11 6TJ. Monday to Saturday 10am-3pm. Free Admission.

In addition we are having a Meet the Artists day on the 29th March as part of the Macclesfield Makers Day event. Roe Street, SK11 6UT. 10am-3pm.
visit our website textile21.co.uk or blog textile21.blogspot.com for further pictures and details.