TAST - cover for libary of stitches

Here is the piece of embellishing (Janome Xpression) that I have completed for the cover of my stitch library. It is on cotton velvet as I find this keeps its shape very well for larger pieces.
Click on photo for a larger view to appreciate the variety of texture.


I chose colours that were in the base colours of my TAST samples and added contrast colours of lilac and purple, organzas and lace for texture and blacks to hold it together.

The photo below shows lilac wool tops being embellished, they worked well as they allowed the base colours to show through. Left hand side is unembellished and the right is embellished.

After the embellishing I covered the whole piece with programmed stitch on my sewing machine, the area was too large for me to contemplate FME. Again the RHside shows the way the embroidery beds down the piece.

This will cover a cut down A4 lever arch file and now I need to go away and think about the best way to do that.

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.................

End of 2007!

As 2007 draws to an end it is only right to post a blog that sums up my past year. 2007 was my first year of blogging and communicating with a whole new community. It set me targets as I had deadlines to keep as part of the networks and groups I joined through contact via the blog, eg Tast, Unlimited Textiles and Sumptuous Surfaces. I enjoyed the many tutorials and spent hours absorbing the techniques displayed on numerous blogs and websites. Already signed up for the latest Sharon Boggin challenge "Take It Further". I have been busy putting al the TAST samplers into book format, will post a picture very soon.

It's official hyperlinks are additive! I developed certain skills that had only been seen in books and even invested in new equipment, my Janome Xpression being the most expensive. Other bloggers showed embellished examples and tips by the score and I have had so much fun. In the comfort of my own home I can experiment, create and explore the internet, I have discovered Picasa for photo manipulation and Flickr for uploading my photos for sharing. What a buzz I get from receiving an email from the other side of the world from someone who appreciates my work. Also being able to comment and encourage others on their work, being a retired teacher it never leaves you, the desire to encourage and praise.

I have been trying to clear the decks, finish work and generally get ready for 2008. I go into hospital on the 7th January to have my gall bladder removed and so I will be raring to go after that on all my new projetcs. As well as on line challenges I have 3 exhibitions coming up with my North West groups that I belong to. Silk-n-Threads have an exhibiton at Tatton Park in Cheshire from 15th March to 1st June. Society of Marple Artists celebrate their 40th annual exhibiton in April and Textile 21 are at Norton Priory from May to June, so lots of work to produce!!!!!!! I have some ideas already but there will have to be alot of juices flowing very soon!

A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL.

Catch up complete

At last I have caught up with my TAST samplers. Enjoyed the satin stitch and long & short stitches as I used variegated thread and they came to life very quickly.Long and Short stitch. Ideal for blocking but also good isolated in small groups.

I enhanced these blocks with back stitch

This random design just evolved on the fabric and is made more effective I feelin the variegated thread. Second sample of satin stitch again done in a variegated thread and edged with stem stitch.


POSTCARD

After the wedding it was good to get back to playing and therefore my embellisher has been busy. I particularly liked this one as everything has been coming up sunshine hence the yellow. Not the weather at present in the UK, I hasten to add, but the beginning of the month with the family wedding and all the family getting together which doesn't happen too often.

After creating the base fabric with yellow wool rovings I added the maroon and green circles. I like the way you can't control the finished shape as the wool shrinks immediately it goes under the needles. To join the circles and add more movement I FME randomly over the top. This was completed for 6x4 lives ring June entry.

And finally one I completed earlier! This embroidery entitled 'Allium' has a centre encrusted with french knots and beads so ideal as my TAST sample for french knots.

Tast latest

Soooooooo behind with TAST so here are four samples to almost get me up to date, just satin and french knots to go.




Wheatear Stitch. Tried something different by making it into a filling stitch. By varying the size and thickness of stitch interest is gained.
The isolated stitches also work well.

B
Butterfly Chain Stitch completed on a piece of painted calico. The range of effects are, movement, symmetrical patterns, isolated, bunched. Variation in thickness gives interest.



Crossed Buttonhole Stitch.
Very linear this design on a piece of painted calico. Interest added by overlapping the stitches


Basque Stitch. Great for both formal and more random designs.

My stitch book is starting to look very colourful now!

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.

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.

TAST Up and Down Buttonhole Stitch

This the latest TAST challenge - Up and Down Buttonhole Stitch. I particularly liked this one as it allowed for movement. To see more of these samples done by other bloggers see http://www.flickr.com/groups/56846286@N00/ .

Barred & Alternating Barred Chain Stitch - TAST

Many TAST members found this stitch boring but after a while I mastered it (not having done it before) and it was very good at creating bulk, top of sample, and lent itself to movement as the curvy sample at the bottom shows. I have at last caught up with all 10 weeks of the challenge. I have posted them on my Flickr page, see link on right.

TAST samples

I've been attempting to catch up on my TAST samples as I have joined the challenge 8 weeks in.

Week 7 was Feather Stitch and above is my first go, I have completed each challenge in colour coordinated threads as I intend eventually putting together a Stitch Library. Feather Stitch lends itself so well to movement and I am surprised at the success of the couched wool.

Week 5 was Chevron Stitch. Again can be used in a formal and loose way, I like the tumbling shapes at the bottom of the sample.

Week 3 was detached Chain Stitch and this sampler shows both Chain and detached Chain Stitch. Lots of potential with this stitch from the fine detailed work to the looser free flow.



Week 2 Buttonhole Stitch, I remember teaching this stitch in the 70s for buttonholes on garments it is great to get away from this formal application.


Week 1 Herringbone Stitch. Detailed photo of some of the application of this stitch. The variegated thread on the wave shape works particularly well.


I still need to complete weeks 4 (Cretan) & 6 (Algerian Eye Stitch), will attempt to do them alongside the weekly challenges.