Monday, April 26, 2010

Wise words

When I posted here about trying to make something cheap enough to sell and not doing the kind of work that I really like, my friend Tarni sent me a message saying "Don't get good at something you don't like doing". I took note of her wise words and took time for myself and made these "Wise Ones" just because I wanted to:


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They incorporate all the things that I like doing best. The base fabrics are constructed of bits and pieces, machine quilted, embellished on the machine and needlefelted. Portraits in coloured pencil, needle sculpted. Fancy headresses:




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Best of all, lots and lots of slow, rhythmical hand stitching that took several hours. Lots of texture:


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All combined into a 3-dimensional decorative item, around 9 inches high, that can stand up on its own.

My friend Tarni also tells me that I underprice my work. That if I want to continue making the heavily embroidered items that I like, and be taken seriously as a textile artist, I must be prepared to charge a fair price, reflecting the skill and time involved. I'm working on that....................

Friday, April 16, 2010

You can embroider just about anything...........

Close up of stitching on a trio of goddess dolls:


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The fabric is recycled felt needlepunched with scraps of silk, chiffon and wool sliver (roving), machine quilted then embellished with stitchery.

I used most of my favourite stitches: double herringbone, double cretan, threaded herringbone, laced fly stitch, buttonhole and trellis stitch.

Here's a picture of the three ladies:


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Monday, April 12, 2010

Just cruisin' and usin' up some scraps!

Odds and ends made from scraps and leftovers, useful to put on the table at craft fairs.

Some brightly coloured fabric badges:


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Spot the TAST knotted buttonhole stitch!

and a handful of pretty patchwork pincushions:


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