Fabric, Dye, Bead and Stitch 2

Creating for yourself is great but I do find that when I have a specific reason it does seem to concentrate my mind. So here is another creation from my City & Guilds work. It is one of my favourites.

The theme for this piece was The Sea. I had already used Cornwall for a previous project so I needed to look elsewhere. Then a postcard from my sister-in-law on holiday in Australia. The postcard was of the Great Barrier Reef, or certainly part of it. Annoyingly, I can not find the postcard but if I do I will add it, but it inspired loads of drawings, experiemnets with paint, crayon, pens and adding water it them! Got all a bit messy at times, but in the end I came up with the above.

Now, this is a sample piece, the final item was in fact a trip -tic wall hanging.

Above is a close up of one of the panels. It is backed with blue silk and I made my own silk binding. I used pelmet vilene to give it strength. I then painted a dowel rod to match the bluey colour of the silk and made my own cord and tassels.

Where is it now? Well it is in my kitchen dinner, and is admired. I can see it every time I sit down for a meal. It is standing the test of time very well and is one of a favourite pieces.

Since then I have made another version for a postcard competition with STITCH magazine which is published by the Embroiderers' Guild. Sadly I did not get anywhere, but it was sent back to me and I framed it.

The frame is actually metal which was a great find! I tried many frames and this was really the one which showed off the colour, texture, beading and stitches.

This piece of work was planned unlike the last one and not long after this I joined the Embroiderers' Guild and now have another avenue to work towards and friends to swap ideas with. It has been a while but i have found two more of these silver frames and I am thinking that a re-visit to this theme and colour pallette could be on the cards.

More tomorrow, bye for now.

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