indigo quilts

scrap quilts

a summer quilt closely hand stitched with my 

dyed threads -  kantha style

a winter quilt, simple blocks, machine pieced and quilted

made over the festive season

designed for warmth when the chilly winds do blow

Out of March Hibernation

March certainly roared in like a lion but there was no sign of it going out like a lamb.

Yesterday we went to the beach with Mr. Ben.   The sun was shining, which was nice.    To say the wind was blustery is somewhat of an understatement.  

we were sandblasted with nowhere to hide

the sea was an amazing colour when the sun came out

grey, blue and green

we walked along the beach, with the wind behind us, looking for interesting things

then had to face the sandstorm to get back to the car 

refreshing and invigorating   bring on softer and warmer days, please

I did manage a deal of dyeing threads and fabric, not in the conservatory though, far to cold.   Rain and grey skies did not diminish bright colours, plenty of inspiration around me.

I took a workshop with the lovely ladies of the South Somerset Embroidery Guild.   The journey through Dorset and Somerset was lovely, the sun peeking through big fluffy clouds and little peaks of green showing on the hedges and trees.  Indian Stitchery the name of the workshop, accompanied by plenty of colourful textiles.  It was a good day all round.

The garden needs a great deal of attention since it's been either too cold, wet or windy.   Perhaps this weekend, but I don't think so!

I had lunch with my friend Jean and we called into Walford Mill to see Cleo Mussis' exhibition Spring Boody.    Fabulous mosiacs made from broken crockery - you just have to see Mr. and Mrs. Rabbit, plus son.   They just made me laugh and feel very happy.

A clean out of boxes of fabric yielded three full bin bags.   You know all those little scraps, fabric that's been hanging around for years and years and is still not talking to me.  

I did gather scraps of indigo and block printed fabric to put together a quilt.

detail

hand stitching - time for contemplation as I slowly stitch and watch the cloth start to ripple

what's in the shoebox?

It's one of those days where you can't quite get round to doing anything in 

particular.    Clearing paperwork, reorganising shelves and boxes filled the 

morning.   This afternoon I found a shoebox tucked away on top of a cupboard.   

Inside, I discovered............

a quilt top

About six years ago I took two two hour workshop classes with local

school children.  They were all around eight years old, and I had  twenty

of them in each session!  They were given four squares each of cotton 

sateen.   I demonstrated simple shibori patterns.  After binding, folding or

scrunching their squares, we had the excitement of the indigo vat. 

A week later, at their school, they stitched their four squares together.   

I took the piles of squares home, and stitched them into five panels

prior to making a kimono.  Is it still hanging in the school hall?!!

No photos of course of the children creating, which is a shame. although 

there must be a photo of the kimono somewhere in my records.   This

all took place pre-Blog, which is a very good reason indeed to blog.  

However, the quilt top is made up of left over squares.  Now the 

top has reappeared, it has to be finished.  No more lurking in a shoebox.

Many happy memories of the children working away;  the excitement of

the vat, and finally undoing the resists. Their squares were wonderful.

I also sorted out my indigo fabric, need more plains.   I can't wait for

the sun to shine, it just has to be warm enough for a quick dash in

and out to the vat.   No leisurely hanging of cloth on hedges!

A tad busy

So what have I been doing in May, thus far?  The past few weeks 

has seen me driving along the south coast, 120 miles to the east, 

and 70 miles to the west.   Three workshops, and in between, 

a day out with friends to the Rag Market in Honiton.  

Dyeing and stitching, for Dorset Arts Week at the end of the month.

 I am taking part in an Open Studio Event along with eighteen other 

artists at Stewarts Country Garden Centre.  On picking up 

brochures and invites at the Centre I noticed a request

for an old garden shed.   Well, we had two about to be

demolished.  Brilliant, especially as this project has been

'on hold' for some time.   I was sad to see my bike shed go,

even though it was inhabited with white skeletons of spiders,

and much evidence of multiple habitation by mice.   

Doesn't it look good?   However, the ivy covering the

door might suggest my bicycle has not been fully used

for quite a while.   Must have it overhauled and I will

make a great effort to get back in the saddle again.

The best bits of the two shed will be made into one

and become an exhibit at the Garden Centre;  a

living roof of grass and sedums, edible plants

will feature somewhere.  A noble end to a shed.

One indigo quilt finished. Machine pieced and quilted,

detail

One on the go, for quiet hand stitching moments.

Another indigo quilt under construction.   

Two more workshops before the end of the month.

Better get my head down again!