Australian stitching project

 It’s been a while since I posted here so here is what’s in my holiday sewing pouch. 

I’m in Sydney on the last lap of our month ‘down under’. 

As I look out over Sydney harbour and the iconic Opera House I am attempting to finish this indigo piece before we travel home. 

 

I am using up left over pieces of indigo dyed natural fabrics by weaving them, attaching to a base fabric and then slow stitching to hold it altogether.  

I love the variation of colour that can be achieved with different fabrics. I use a synthetic vat, I find it more convenient as I don’t do a lot of indigo dyeing and when I do it is quick and easy to organise. All the threads are natural, cotton and silk. Well known choc ice sticks recycled. 

 I am finding slow stitching is so relaxing and as I listen to some Barbara Streisand I can let the fabric and thread tell me which stitches and tone to use.  If you have liked what you see please hit like and or leave a comment so I know you passed by. 

Health report

Thanks to everyone who has passed on their best wishes through this blog, my Flickr and by email.
I came home from hospital 36hours after the op and have been well looked after by DH so far but I think he is looking forward to going back to work next week. Today has been the first day that I have felt like 'creating' so just paid a visit to the recent posts about the TIF challenge and made a start on my design so hopefully will be able to commence stitching at the weekend.

TAST library of stitches

I have been busy collating my TAST samples and putting a spine edging on each so that I can make a library of stitches. I decided to use an old lever arch ring binder of my daughters, it is A4 size but can be cut down to the size I want. I have made holes in each spine piece and buttonholed around them for reinforcement. Using this method of book rather than signatures I can add to it a further date and it also allows for easy removal when one is needed for reference. Above are a collection of pages at various stages of completion. To view all my samples go to my Flickr pages

The examples above and below shows how I have decorated the spine with the page stitch.

My base fabric colour scheme is very festive, it wasn't intended they just happened to be the colours that I had to hand when I first started the challenge earlier this year. I have, however used a range of colour schemes on the pages. Some are harmonious, some monochromatic and some constrasting to show different effects. Finishing off these pages is for winter nights in front of the TV.

All I have to do now is make a cover for the folder, the fun bit. Embellished I think.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL.................