Once again we have reached another section on my band sampler and it is time to introduce it.
Section 41 of the For Love of Stitching Band Sampler is another long patchworked strip of different foundation fabrics. I was getting tired of the usual format so to keep things interesting I patchworked together fabrics then used it as the foundation cloth of the sampler.
I pieced together 25 cnt linen, Aida, hand dyed table cloth linen and tea towel linen. Both the table cloth linen and the tea towel linen I found in a charity shop. They were embroidery kits from years ago and parts were stained. I decided to use the good fabric and toss the rest. I scrunch dyed and hand painted it. All the pieces were hand dyed by me using procion MX dyes.
Other bits were scraps from other projects or experiments and resulting sampler became quite freeform in nature.
The sampler is 15 cm (6 inches) wide consisting of different strips of fabric which are are stitched together to form one long strip. It currently measures 96 feet 5 inches (2,938.78 centimeters), or 32.138 yards (29.3878 meters). Although I am slowing a little It is still growing in other words I am still adding pieces to it. Along the way I enjoy experimenting with different styles and designs.
Section 41 is completely different from section 40. They are like two aspects of my stitching personality but somehow they sit alongside each other quite well. For the viewer who is looking at the sampler, perhaps by this stage, the shifts in style, colour and format seem to all fit.
Also this section of the sampler has lots of autobiographical elements to it. As regular readers know this long band sampler has become more than a simple record of stitches and techniques but over time has become a contemporary freeform journal sampler as well.
I know from the odd email that some people think this is a totally impractical and silly venture but I enjoy it. It did have a practical start and you can read about it on the Sampler FAQ page.
This section was worked in April 2009.
Looking for a bit of inspiration? Do you want to browse previous articles in the series?
You can find past articles and photos easily in the Love of Stitching Band Sampler category.
Sampler FAQ
For the full back story on this piece visit the Sampler FAQ page.
This is an awesome section of your sampler, Sharon! I love this idea…have been wondering what to do with all my bits of embroidery….i think it could become a (hopefully) long band of gorgeousness, like yours!!! Stitching events and happenings in your life is just plain wonderful!
Xoxo…Julie
I love this way of keeping a record of stitches, experiments and biographical elements. It makes an amazing archive of what you have done, where you have been and who you are. I wished I’d done of something like this but I’m working on ‘you’re never too old to start something new.’ I also try and write a journal but I don’t manage every day.
This part of the band is so lively. I get the atmosphere of the folk festival from the stitching.
This wonderful 🙂
“I know from the odd email that some people think this is a totally impractical and silly venture but I enjoy it”
Well, I think the total opposite, just think of the fun your descendants will have looking through this. So much better than some moldy old paper diary
err … I keep a paper diary/studio journal too – have done for about 25 years … err daily! There was a months break after the fires and I stopped for about 6 weeks when Mum died but that is it. The full notebooks stack higher than me. So I am very sad case.
Love your work, love your blog, thanks so much for sharing it with us!