Module One - mounted resolved sample

It has rained most of the day but the sun is out now and this image proves it!!!

Module One - completion details

My workbook - books I own or have
borrowed for this module



My workbook - Health & safety 2

My workbook - Health & safety 1

My workbook - Storage of work etc

My workbook - Costings & time log

My workbook - evaluation of resolved sample

Working at my machine

Chapter Eleven - Resolved Sample

Resolved sample - image 75

I chose hand dyed felt as a background and sewed it together with antique stitch.  Thinking about the design brief I chose different sized stars and chose a sheer which I planned to burn back with a heat gun showing disintegration.  The final design shows 4 abstract stars:

one stitch only
one appliqué layering from the top & cutting outside stitching
one appliqué layering from underneath & cutting inside stitching & trupunto one was seed stitching in similar colours to the background to show disintegration. 

To join the stars together was a large appliqué star with stitching & beads.  Finally I did free machine stitching following the shapes of the stars before using the heat gun.

Resolved sample - before heat gun

Resolved sample - early stage

Resolved sample - image 74.  Design using coloured papers

Resolved sample - image 73 - star stitches chosen from Constance Howard's Book of Stitches

My workbook - image 72

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My workbook - image 70

Chapter Eleven

My workbook - image 69

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My workbook - image 59

Composite Sheet

Chapter Ten

Interchange sample 3

My workbook - image 58

I was very uncertain about this sample to start with but after some advice and once I got going, it became easier.  I chose to cut two of the star designs straight and move the other two round slightly adding variety.  Most of the hand stitches I used I had done before except for couching which I added to give a bit of colour to the darker squares.

Counterchange -  sample 2

My workbook - image 57

This is a counter interchange sample using bonded felt. I was pleased with the outcome and loved the scrim and will certainly use it again. I don't particularly like the effect of the net by itself but it makes a good contrast when used with other finishes.  Closed blanket stitch is another new stitch for me.  Quite straight forward and I like the effect round the edge. I did wonder if I could possibly have done more hand stitching but decided against it.

My workbook - image 56

Counterchange using bonded felts. I liked the way the threads appear on this counterchange sample and will remember this idea for the future. I have used blanket stitch before but never antique stitch and I am pleased with the result.

My workbook - image 55

Simple counterchange using papers.

My workbook - image 54

Chapter 10 starts with some insertion stitch samples. I tacked the strips of felt onto a piece of tissue paper and found there were a variety of possible stitches in my books. Most of these hand stitches are new to me so it has been great fun learning them. I started the bead inserting quite close together but after a few beads made the stitches wider which was more effective. There are a number of pattern stitches which I can use on my machine but they would not be wide enough to leave a gap.

Chapter Nine

My workbook - images 52 & 53

I completed image 52 but was rather disappointed with the outcome.  I then realised that I had cut the wrong side of the stitching so I decided to start again and was pleased with the end result.  I am pleased I took photos of the materials before I added the top chiffon because, although poor quality, they are a good reference for future designs.

Second attempt at distressing this sample - image 51

My workbook - images 50 & 51

I am pleased with the frayed effect on image 50.  Another time I could have used all fraying materials and this would have given a less defined design. 

I used 5 layers for the sample in image 51 and, although they were all fraying materials the colours have not shown up here.  I rubbed the finished sample to distress it but I wonder if the design was too detailed.  When I have used this method before I have used straight lines or circles.  Another possible idea would to have had the top layer in a different material.  I pressed the sample down when scanning so it is possible this did not help either.

My workbook - images 48 & 49

Chapter nine is about reverse appliqué.  I have produced samples showing traditional and contemporary methods.  With the traditional method it is easy to see what the result will look like but with the contemporary methods, it is not until the material is cut away, the final effect emerges. 

I found myself heading for a symmetrical sample in image 48 so decided to make the final layer more random.

Chapter Eight

My workbook - images 46 & 47

The fifth and sixth samples for this chapter.  I had a number of bonded layers in these two samples and I found it difficult to get the needle through.  With each sample I am saying to myself, try to make sure it is not symetrical and I think I have achieved this, apart from image 43. 

Oh dear, my display board is empty again so I need to get cracking with the next chapter.

My workbook - images 44 & 45 

My third and fourth samples for this chapter.  I decided to use several different designs from my paper cutouts rather than just one, to enable me to experiment a bit more. 

My workbook - images 42 & 43

Chapter eight already!   I have done quite a bit of hand embroidery in these last two chapters and feel a bit more confident.  I think I am getting more consistant and neater but I know I have a long way to go!  Most of the time I am using a hoop and it is certainly helping me.

Chapter Seven

My workbook - images 40 & 41

Final two samples for Chapter 7.  In Image 41 the bright orange satin used for the middle layer has not scanned well - the colour is completely lost.  The colour I am talking about can be seen in the photograph of my display board below.

My workbook - images 38 & 39

Samples three and four for Chapter 7.

My workbook - images 36 & 37

I have really enjoyed this chapter.  I have not done much hand embroidery before so this has been a great opportunity to practice various stitches.  My work is not very neat and the stitches are a bit uneven but I guess this will come in time.  First two samples for Chapter 7.

My new display board

As suggested, I have just bought a displayboard and I must say it is a great idea.  It enables you to keep all your current work in one place and great fun to pop into the workroom and look at your efforts.  The only disadvantage is that when you complete a chapter and put everything in your workbook the display board is empty.  On the other hand, you could say this is an advantage because it makes you start the next chapter quickly!

Chapter Six

My workbook - image 35

I wanted to have a go at incorporating everything in this chapter in a material sample but whilst I like the colours I have gone back to a symmetrical design.  I must get out of my comfort zone!

My workbook - image 34

I am pleased with this sample.  I used a mixture of silk threads, wool & glitz thread in no particular design before trapping them and the result was abstract.

My workbook - image 33

I am really pleased with the result of this sample.  Whilst the design shapes are symmetrical the addition of the scraps of coloured materials scattered at random makes it more interesting.

My workbook - image 32

Sponge coloured tissue paper.  I have tried to alter the shape of the design shape but this is back to symmetrical again!

My workbook - image 31

Again the design is not symmetrical.  Much better!  I was a bit disappointed that part of the painted bondaweb did not transfer but perhaps this was a good thing.

My workbook - images 25 -29

A selection of samples using bondaweb.  Some painted bondaweb cut into design shapes and ironed on background and some with threads, tissue paper or materials trapped between net, organza or scrim.  For painted bondaweb to show up well it is important to use correct background colour.  In image 26 the orange painted bondaweb does not show up but in image 29 the background is pale and the bondaweb is very clear.

My workbook - images 22 & 23

I was pleased with both of these samples.  I have been encouraged to explore designs which are not symmetric - it certainly makes them more interesting.