Stitching for Texture

Today I spent an enjoyable yet very productive day with the ladies of Country Roads Quilt Group. They worked so hard to make up lots of stitched samples which were then made up into a book.

Lots of concentrating, especially from Lis. She has written about the workshop on her blog here.

Some ladies worked in the dining room, others in the conservatory.

Thank you Christina for hosting the workshop and including the partially dressed young man and Thomas the spaniel.

I am teaching this again at the studio in Spalding on June 16th and July 28th, limited places on both workshops now so contact me for more information.

His "n" Hers

His - potatoes for sprouting

Hers - daffodils drying ready for dyeing

Stitching on

 This week I managed a little sewing with Sweetpie. I am working on more landscape samples using polyester/polycotton fabrics and transfer dyes. This photo is a bit fuzzy but she is working on some fantastic little pockets which will be made up into books.

On the lower right is some satin. The photo doesn't show just how much it shines. I still need to finish off the horizon lines. I need to complete an NVQ for work but I am not making quite such good progress. It needs to be completed by next Wednesday though so I had better  get going.

Sweetypie gave me this very large pan that was donated to her jumble sale. It is very old but I have got four meters of cotton it in to mordant for some natural dyeing. I always use aluminum acetate when mordanting cotton and after simmering for about an hour I leave everything in the pan soaking four 2-3 days as I find this givse me the brightest colours.

Busy Busy...

Life seems a bit manic at the moment with lots to do before I travel up to Scotland for The Quilters Guild AGM and Conference. I am loving spending time in the studio and feel I am using the time wisely. I am planning a range of workshops there including some indigo vat dyeing days. All details will soon be on the website. I am doing another Stitch for Texture workshop on Saturday 7th July at the studio in Spalding. There are just two spaces left now. If you are interested please contact me.

As you can see I am taking over the studio.

 The zebra quilt now has a permanent home. It is so much nicer to see it hung up rather than rolled up under the bed

Today I managed to paints lots of papers with transfer dyes ready for a workshop.

 This is a little hazy but two quilts are hanging over the stair rail.

Studio Update

Yesterday I managed my first nearly full day in the studio. It was really productive and I made up a quilt top using some madder dyed cotton which had "cooked" on top of my woodburner during the cold weather. These photos just don't show up all the texture in the cloth.

I am also starting to dry out daffodils ready for workshops this year.

I am not sure if I have shown this but it is my C&G diploma final piece hanging outside the studio.

I am teaching a Procion dyeing workshop today. It has been such a long time since I did this as I definitely prefer using natural things to dye with now. I must remember to take photos.

Moving In Day

Today was "moving in" day though not a lot got moved!! This was a photo at the start of the day and very little changed by the end

I left this sample from the Stitch for Texture workshop hanging over the stair banner.

Jo from Unique Studios managed to get a photo of most of the artists, Carol, Tony, Ernie and myself.

Twisted Thread are now taking bookings for workshops for Festival of Quilts 2012. This year I am teaching one half day academy workshop, one children's workshop and two quick and easy sessions. I have been going at Festival of Quilts for the past ten years (where has the time gone?) and love the fact that I can meet up with lots of friends, some who don't live in this country. Lots of exciting things to look forwards to (and kits to make up)

Rag rugging

Today I went to a Children's Centre for a session on making rag rugs. There are many different ways to make a rag rug and many tools to do this with but I kept things simple by demonstrating the "proddy technique". You need hessian or burlap and lots (hundreds) of rectangles of fabric cut from recycled clothing. I love this technique because I can use up stretchy t-shirts and pajamas. 

This lime green and turquoise was looking stunning by the end of the session

This was pastel t-shirts

A pretty pink one

Sometimes the "work" camera goes a bit fuzzy!

This rug was being formed from an old cotton baby blanket rather than hessian.

It was a very good, busy session. Next week I am teaching the ladies how to dye with procion dyes.