Monday 29 October 2012

Fast Friday Fabric Challenge 74


Wrong blog, I know, but the technology is fighting back too firmly for me..
My hand is up, the buttons are all at my house
Small quilt, approx 15 inches tall, with hand-embroidered/quilted stitch holding the layers and the buttons on.  All the woven fabrics (thanks Jude) were grabbed from the scrap box as tones, not choices.. The size was set by the oddment of batting I found under the table.  The background fabric is Oakshott Fabrics Ischia and the binding is another colour I can't name.. All the buttons came from one of the 7 tins-worth I bought the other day, incidental to purchasing a sewing machine table for my little workroom at home..
Sewn in front of the fire to the accompaniment of a programme about wolves and buffaloes.
Finished on Saturday morning, but I can't get to the FFFC blog.. Bah, humbug...

Edited: Monday, got access and am able to post at the Fast Friday blog, but I'll leave this here..

Sunday 21 October 2012

Further progress

 Unbroken Circle has been sewn to a backing of hand-dyed linen.. It's a bit less soft than it might be, but I like the colour, and the texture is nice.  I've done quite a lot of hand-stitch, mostly rather simple running-stitches, and I think this one is almost done
 Mood Indigo has its Red Spots, and a purplish backing (which doesn't quite work on screen, as its a shot fabric.  I'm going to add more smaller spots and red stitch
And this is Weaving Rust, with stitch in indigo-dyed cotton, plain cotton, and hand-dyed silk thread.. I think this one is almost done, too.. Better in life than on screen, I think..
I haven't decided what to do with these yet - my default is always the art piece for the wall, but I have been making nice books this week. I may add these to other pieces and expand them further.. I'm amazed at how long some of these have taken to stitch, which makes them uneconomic for sale..

Sunday 14 October 2012

Looking at The World

It's interesting how one's point of view changes.  Working slowly by hand has made me look differently at the cloth I am holding, and all the several sensations that come with this gentle handling are interesting and pleasurable.
This has made me appreciate the softness that I am not naturally drawn to.  And I have been most grateful this week for a level of gentle regard that has come my way from those who care for me.

This little package came from Heather (who now has a blog of her own, follow the link) and was a real treat to open.. Old Japanese fabrics with the most wonderful textures and depth of colour, soft and crisp textures.. Most are woven patterns, with that delightful depth and utter naturalness of indigo..

What has struck me quite forcibly lately is how much one's view can change without any real intention, or without even noticing until it happens.  I have been carrying my camera all the time, catching images as they arrive.  In the making of these, I found a series of images which I have called Roadkill following my fascination with the everyday detritus of life. 
And in looking at the floor, I found Shadows, too

These from Tesco's supermarket this morning.. The first is a bike, the second a row of trolleys, both outside the shop and with the sun transforming their being into this exquisite monochrome..