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....................

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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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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