Rust dyeing - preparation, results, and assembling . . .

Rust dyeing with wire wool on linen

Rust dyeing with wire wool on linen- detail

Rust dyeing with wire wool on cotton organdie

Drawn thread work on linen, preparation for rust dyeing

Drawn thread work on linen, preparation for rust dyeing - detail of weaving 

Rust dyeing results - assembled

Rust dyeing results - assembled - detail showing gathering, fraying, and lace

A Sue Stone workshop in Wooler, Northumberland . . .

woven strips of linen and cotton, embellished with contemporary hand stitch and free machine embroidery

detail of free machine embroidery - liberating!

contemporary hand stitch

free machine stitch and loose bobbin tension in two tone colour

sampler of free machine embroidery in two tone colour

sample of free machine embroidery in monotone

At the end of August, I attended a summer Embroiderers' Guild workshop in Northumberland with Textile Artist - Sue Stone.

It was great, inspiring and inspirational.

I am mainly a traditional embroiderer, but I never dismiss this style of contemporary embroidery as this only adds to my professional development, and I enjoyed every minute of it!

Linear Contemporary Whitework

free style pulled work, stem stitch, herringbone stitch, woven silk chiffon, eyelets, running stitch, back stitch, hem stitching, free style pulled work, hem stitching

in more detail

 students work - part 1

 students work - part 2

This is a workshop I have just taught in the Scottish Borders in Jedburgh, working on a linear whitework sampler, creating a lot of hand stitch ideas on different natural fabric surfaces, including pulled work, drawn thread work, shadow work, eyelets and surface embroidery.

The idea for me is to continue the sampler and work more ideas which may include machine embroidery, mixed media, and more traditional and contemporary hand stitching.  

I will of course do more postings on my blog as I continue to experiment and explore.

Gwen Hedley workshop with Embroiderers' Guild North East

Fabulous time on the north east Embroiderers Guild residential spring school with Gwen Hedley in Collingwood college.  The course was entitled 'Along New Lines' and we basically made our A6 sketch books look "very exciting" whilst learning new ideas on the theme of 'line'.  See below . . .

inked woven paper

chalk pastel edge and smudge over inked surface on paper

Evolon suede - printed with acrylic

my samples . . .

I loved every minute of it alongside a great class on 21 students in all - we were all very productive, very pro-active and very inspired!  Thanks Gwen and to the organizers of the North East Region Embroiderers' Guild.