I am feeling very smug and happy grab a cuppa and let me tell you why …
I have just completed working my way through the last draft of the the Studio Journals: A Designer’s Workhorse course which is run out of Joggles. For those who are taking it buy some paper and ink as the 6 weeks runs to 200 pages or so! I do have some information on classes page but that is not my news… I am simply telling you because while I write a course I can not fit much else in. When I finish there is much joy at being able to return to stitching!
Over on Stitchin Fingers in the Hand Embroidery group we are going to have a “Do it Your Way” stitch-a-long.
We have sorted out a a list of stitches which people are going to choose from. People can choose to work at what ever stitch they want, whenever they want, on what ever project they choose, at what ever pace they want! People don’t even have to complete the list of stitches! So we have called it a stitch-a-long rather than a challenge because the idea is to share via posting photos online what we learn along the way.
I have been thinking about what fabric I should choose. When I looked at the list and saw a problem. Some stitches such as the pulled stitches need an even weave linen, others such as the crewel and surface embroidery stitches need a cloth with a firmer weave so a line of stitches can curve neatly. Some will do just fine on Aida but others will look better if they are worked on something not so grid like. You can see my problem one single type of fabric will not be suitable for all stitches. I wanted one cloth to do many jobs … then … I spotted my stash of a little bits of linen and evenweave fabric and I knew my problem was solved.
I plan to stitch on a coloured foundation fabric. Traditional stitching looks great on a coloured foundation and contemporary work can really sing. Since I will be mixing styles I wanted a bit of colour.
I hauled the dyes out and hand painted all my smaller pieces of linen, aida and hardanger fabric.
I then assembled all fabrics into an interesting patchwork strip of fabric that I can use as the foundation fabric for my band sampler. Actually, I got carried away a little with the dye pots and have enough fabric for a few strips like this…
The tacking stitches are to define the edge of the sampler while I stitch. They will be removed. The white strip of fabric is simply muslin sewn down the side so I can hoop the piece. Yes I am a hoop person. I swear by them.
So now I am ready and simply busting to start but have to wait until the 1st of July. So I guess it’s the admin like another about page to be written and I will set up a flickr group for the “Do it your way” …
But I am itching to start now … Maybe the border? … toddles off feeling happy at a problem solved … a little voice pipes up “well I think it is solved” … Yes it will work … Don’t you think?
What a wonderful idea! Those creative juices overfloweth all over everywhere…Glad to hear that the Studio journals course is ready to go since I”m looking forward to it!
Wow Sharon, I can see why you’re itching to start.. great foundation for the Stitch Along. And thanks so much for the advice about the different fabrics and how they might be used.
Wow, what a great base fabric. I agree, it will look amazing!
Sharon, I’m so pleased for you! I love it when you get excited about something because it stimulates my own creative juices. Your colors turned out beautifully!
What a clever solution…and a beautiful one at that! I have so many small pieces of counted cloth too that have just been laying around collecting dust. I may just copy this idea!
Hi Sharon,
I am with you on the notion of ‘slow cloth’ and the *necessity* of developing skill over *time*. I think all of my cloth/fibre/floss/fabric work is *slow*, actually! And each and every piece has been started as part of an on-going need to *slow down*/escape/create/express in quietude and often, in solitude — or in the gentle Company of Women Who Create (paint, draw, stitch, knit, weave, quilt…)
Love the coloured foundation selections! Wow!
this is a great idea Sharon – lovely colours,it will be interesting to see hoe this works as a sampler.looking forward to the stitch-along
that looks awesome – very clever!
I am just SO looking forward to the beginning of class !
Lovely band! it will be really fun.
It is nice to see you are as excited as we are to start that project.
Regarding the journal course, don’t tell my boss I usually print the course at the office…
It looks great Sharon. I really enjoy journaling and thought I might extend on an idea I saw on Leannes House, which is her 365 challenge. (http://leanneshouse.typepad.com/). This way I can write in stitches and compile a — something to display at the end.
Wow as if the list wasn’t exciting enough on it’s own. Your fabric strip is just calling to be stitched upon. How will you contain yourself until July?
CA
I knew there was a reason I save small bits of stitching cloth! You are clever, clever and clever moreover!!!
Congratulations on finishing your course “text”. I know it will be as detailed and wonderful as your others have been. And since you put so much time into it, I’m hoping the class will be offered again . I was sorry I couldn’t sign on this time of year.
I do like what you did with the fabric. I always think plain linen looks so dull. Now I am tempted to join the stichin fingers group
just read,thanks
sharon
i use a *hoop* as well except when i was quilting a lot way back when i bought these things called Q-snaps (are they still around?) so all of my work is square (or rectangular) instead of round…though i use round when i am in the mood.
the use of muslin is something i used as well except with quilting so as to not stretch the fabric but keep “the quilt” part taut while working on it. i love invention and the thrill of it.
i am still pondering “the grapefruit” i like your choice of words “itching to …” the difference between me and you is i have been pondering. i think yours is a much more accurate choice of words…more action packed! thanks for all you do!
I signed up for your class yesterday – 200 pages sounds like really good vaule! I am looking forward to it. One request of possible though – Joggles say the supply list comes out 1 week before but with the combination of where I live (Dead end town!) and my work schedule its hard for me to travel to decent places to get stuff at the last minute and mail order can take a while. Any chance you coudl email the supply list to me? If you have to follow the Joggles rile no worries, I just want to hit the ground running.