Ch-changes

The 3rd round of the Pattern Review Sewing Bee requires you to use a supplied pattern download and make it your own while still retaining the look.

So we were given access to a download of the new Colette Rue pattern.
I am doing view 2.

I don't normally work from other people's patterns. So after I got it printed out and taped and cut, I compared it to my pattern.

For the most part it was similar.
Some of the changes.
The armscye (and the sleevehead to match).

This is the difference.

And I moved the tucks over the bust to be more at the side. which I think will draw less attention to a larger bust. shown in pink.

I have got the toile/muslin made and from evidence of that, I also opted to lengthen the bodice because I am uncomfortable with a high waist.
So, now to cut and sew the 'real thing'. more photos of things later when I am not so stressed about how much I am doing at one time!

Layered Voices-5

And another layer.

Longer this time, as I do like the length of the 'lining'.
Now to think about one more aspect that is in my mind and how to execute it.

Layered Voices - 4

While I was working on the Ripple and Swirl Bias top, I was pondering just what was not quite there about the Layered Voices dress.

And then I realised it needed more layers of net. The lining was overwhelming the cord - which was not giving the impact I wanted. I wanted to say something with the net about being caught, but you just couldn't see it.

So, I have been working on layers. a mix of Pearle cotton colours to go with the other parts of the dress and the bottom net layer.

And the bead keeps going on and on...18-24 September

week 38- Sept 2016

no.262

no.263

no.264


Change to a small red bugle bead
no.265

no.266


no.267 where I ran out of the peach coloured beads I used as spacers near bugles and the crystals. The nearest I had in colour was a very pale pink. So we will finish the month with that.

no.268

TVCT - Amanda Hislop

Last Saturday, Amanda Hislop came to the Thames Valley Contemporary Textiles meeting.

Quite interesting how she layers materials and uses an approach supported heavily by her painting background with just a bit of added stitch.

She is a member of Prism textiles group and was recommended by a few of our members.

A few photos of what was happening in the workshop which was based on developing a landscape of a place which was special to you.

After the layering of papers for texture, then paint was scraped over and also used like watercolour.

Making choices!

The day had good feedback. Each person's work was quite different, which was a good thing. Better than reproducing the teacher's work!

Well, interesting!

So, I thought the results for Round 2 of the Pattern Review Sewing Bee would be up tomorrow. But there was a message after tea tonight to go look.

AND...I got through with my draped indigo top!

One of the images I posted in the review showing where the fabric grain lines were to show how I used the bias. The markings of the indigo more or less followed the straight of grain. The larger marks were pretty much on the cross grain.

At hearing this good news, the not so great news I got yesterday about the cancellation of my workshop at the National Needlework Archive, became a positive! I had wondered when I would make the Round 3 project if I got through! So, when that is announced, I will at least have the time to see what I can do. Watch this space.

************
Today I went with 2 friends to Holme Grange Craft Village, which has little individual shops. A couple we used to like have shut down. But we did find enough to buy. And to sit in the "Can you believe it is the end of September?" sunshine to have some tea and cake.

And then to visit the chipmunks before we went home.

This one was always so busy I never got a full photo of him. He had a stash down under the earth at this point and frequently added to it, burying himself halfway in the earth!

This one was just watching from the edge of the nest box the whole time.

And I missed this one when he was up close eating.

So, had to do with a photo of him having a wash...which is why he hasn't got any hands in this photo!

Another attempt of the same one but he was just about to head somewhere else out of camera shot.

I always find it intriguing that chipmunks are considered pets like hamsters here. Where I grew up, they were a common woodland animal like squirrels.

Other art at the Degree Show

Here are a few of the things which caught my eye at the Degree Show where Jane Glennie had her work.

Metal Thorn by Julia Hyeawon Kim

Do by Julia Hyeawon Kim

And then part of the instillation called Organic Space by Eddie Kweon

The rest of that instillation was a bit confusing, but I liked the way these ropes drew lines in the air.

There was also work by Louis Anderson, but there was a big crowd round her, so I didn't get to look closely...only to notice a large reel from a textile mill. Louise was one of the artists at the Engage with Art exhibition at South Hill Park in July.

An artist private view

SO, I got to wear my draped Ripple and Swirl top this evening when we went to Jane Glennie's degree show. I knew I was going, but didn't think about it being a perfect outing for the top till today.

Jane has an installation at the Swan Gallery at Kingston Uni. Tea + Scones Drive Thru.

This sign changed with sayings about having a cup of tea as well as promoting her event...

I can't go on Saturday, but she is actually doing Tea and Scones!

Little tables set up

at the back of the 'cafe'

the shelf with cups that say T+S.

The cups were donated by friends. Jane sandblasted the glaze in such a way as to leave the shape of the letters. So, if you looked carefully, you could recognise a cup. I saw one I gave to her which I had really liked, but the picture on it had become very faded in the dishwasher. So, now it has a new life!

Jane also did an installation in front of the Stanley Picker gallery across the road using her dress and blanket from our 'Worn Threads' exhibition.
She used them for a performance event she did wearing the dress at Windsor Great Park - Statue end of the Long Walk.

Just in front there is a bit of burnt wood part of the remains of the building and firing of one of the beacons for the Queen's 90th birthday, which was taking place around the time of her performance.

On the bias - Ripples and Swirls

Following the teaser...
I mentioned the other day that I had got through to round 2 on the Pattern Review Sewing Bee. So, Round 2 was to do a garment that is on the bias.

So, I had the idea of a stripe something, with different directions for each piece. But when I put the fabric on the dummy to get an idea if it would work, I swiftly saw I could drape it on the stand! Wow. and besides, this would work for the SAQA Call for entry in November for H2Oh!

The fabric is Linen with a woven windowpane check. I had dyed it using shibori methods in an indigo workshop a few years ago. I didn't want to just cut a boring garment from it, I wanted to showcase it. So, now was the time.

Development of the draping...

side-back-front

I used tucks and pleats to keep the fabric on the bias as it swirled round the figure.

Then I needed a way to try it on. So I placed my bodice pattern over the armhole area and cut it out, making sure to add seam allowance. Later I added cap sleeves.



And the final top -
 

To read more of the details of the making, you can read the review here.

I may do a bit more to it for the H2Oh! call. Not that it needs it! But I am thinking about adding some beads or something collected in some of the ripples/swirls.

Doing something with this!

Very excited about it too. Finally some way to showcase this fabric.

But you have to wait til I have time to sort photos!

And the bead keeps going on and on...11-17 September

week 37- Sept 2016

no.255

no.256

no.257

no.258

no.259

no.260

no.261

Layered Voices - 3

I draped the lining on the stand and then stitched the yoke to it.
The lining is rust dyed cotton lawn. The selvedge is at the top and bottom.

Then came up with the placement for the braid.

front

back

and a close up before I stitched it down.

The cord for the net will be anchored in the braid at the bottom edge of the yoke.
I am still thinking about the strap placement so haven't stitched it yet.

Layered Voices -2

I have this 'wrapping twine' given to me from one of the other students when I was doing my city and guilds.

So, I chose these 3 colours (I also have red in this size and white a bit bigger.) because they will go with my fabrics.

First I made cord on my machine - using a foot that you can thread individual cord or thread through and when you stitch them with zigzag they become a multi-strand cord.

Then I plaited the cords I made to become braid I can use. One length will be the anchor thread for the net. The other will possibly be straps?

The different cords together give flecks of colour that tie the various fabrics together.