Beautiful, gentle stitching

This weekend, I had the pleasure of attending a workshop with Emily Jo Gibbs, on using transparent organza to make stitched interpretations of photographs. Emily’s work is exquisite in its simplicity, that also manages to capture the essence of an individual or of an object.

The workshop was held in the beautiful, historic rooms of The ArtWorkers’ Guild in Holborn.  The rooms and corridors contain works by previous and current members, inspiration before we even met Emily.

We were asked to bring a basic sewing kit, a variety of threads, scissors for cutting papered cloth and a favourite photograph. Emily provided a pack of different coloured silk organzas and two pieces of white linen for each of us. 

The workshop started with an explanation of Emily’s technique, and an opportunity to examine her original stitched portraits of her children. We then created a small abstract collage, A5 size,  to practice the techniques that she had demonstrated.

What joy to sit with a group of strangers, who quickly lost their anonymity as we stitched together.

We then started a new piece, based on our photographs.This was much more difficult  and a black and white photograph would have made it much more straightforward to discern tone rather than colour. However, by the end of the day, i had this, based on a favourite picture of my elder son when he was 10.

To have got this far, while enjoying the company of others, in a beautiful setting was a gift. Thank you Emily.

If you would like to see Emily’s work in person, she is exhibiting at Mint London from 9th - 12th May.

Stunning stitches at Victoria Miro Gallery , Whitechapel

On a beautfully sunny day, I was able to get to the Victoria Miro Gallery to see the work of Do Ho Suh.  Stitched, gauzy cloth in glowing colours, replicating some of the places where he has lived. On until 18th March, well worth a visit.  Not so sure about the exhibits at the next door Parasol Unit, where the stitch is poorly-executed and looks like an afterthought.

And on the way home,more colour to make the heart sing.

Working to a deadline

It helps to have a deadline for a long-term project.  I have submitted an entry for the exhibition "Water, Water" to be held in November.  Submitted work has to be completed by the end of September, so I've been quilting these pieces by hand and machine.  The lovely, variegated thread is by Sulky.

Back stitch hand quilting a la Jacquie Harvey.

Hand and machine quilting side by side.  I am really pleased with the even length of the hand stitches, and this was despite a fraught week on the ageing parent front.

Practical stitching

I now need a laptop sleeve, as I will be travelling more in my new job. and carrying my laptop with me.  I haven't found anything for sale that I really like, so I used this piece of cloth to make my own.   There are two layers of cotton wadding in this, so the quilting had to be done with a large stitch.

Front, with loops for pens or key fobs.

Back.

Straps, which are webbing embroidered with a favourite thread.
The double zips, to allow it to be fully unzipped at airports, were a challenge, but I'm glad I had a go at these.
More carved marking tape at Morley this week, on top of a ProcionP background, created with a notched foam brush - obviously needs ironing!

Breakdown printing, initial results

All looking very organic. The plastic embedded objects are pulled off, and then the screen is used to print by pulling Manutex through it until the dye is exhausted.



The initial cloth then had soya wax applied and Procion P dye paste scraped over the whole piece with a credit card ( this is very therapeutic). Below shows the cloth before the wax has been washed out.



I think this is an either love it or hate it technique. If one is obsessed with precision and definite lines, this is not the right method. If one enjoys a more serendipitous approach, this is great fun.

Still transferring my affections

So,loving the transfer printing effects, but still not enamoured of the fabrics, this week it was time to try some different techniques. First up, wax resist on the paper, before painting on the dye. This beautiful petrol blue was my own mix of dyes.



Next trying this same paper on a garish synthetic organza



It will be good to explore some the layering effects that will be possible with this dyeing method.



Layering detail



Next, trying some resist with dried leaves collected last year.



Again lovely transparent effects on this fabric.



And to finish, a bit of a shambles, trying to use two shades of the same dye, but without enough contrast between them.