For the time being, no longer blogging here...

above image: The Owl & the Pussycat

Life has got in the way for the past few years so little posting has been added. Having gone almost full circle (in a strange way) I'm now back on track.However the decision has been made to add little more to this blog in future and instead continue in greater depth on the narrative space (click to read).

2 x US Fashion Dolls

These 2 were the first dolls out of the "collection box" - both are American & appx. 10"/25cm tall.  They were just a little grubby with dresses a little squashed. They must have been stored for appx. 10 years now so were really nice to see again. Both of them were given a good makeover with all clothing washed & pressed. The hair of the one on the right only needed slight attention - however the other one had her hair washed & reset in keeping with the other one. I photographed them deliberately laying down - partially because I couldn't find the stands but more because I wanted to "wake them up after a good scrub"!!

"SUMMER GARDEN" - patchwork cover is sent on its way!

 

The patchwork bed cover (click & follow the link to read more about it) was posted to its new home - the above is a detail of one small section. Stitched on my latest acquisition Janome (which I am very pleased with), the single bed cover is entirely stitched together using the pre-programmed embroidery stitches. The wider than normal long arm is superb, as is use of finger (rather than foot) control .... the bobbin also doesn't keep dropping on the floor!!! In using it, I have thought of several other ideas for the machine embroidery patterns BUT more on that in future entries!!

" STITCHES IN TIME " & a top-loading bobbin !

At this stage, it's very easy to head off in many other directions & am sure if there was sheets of metal easily to hand, a large 3D metal Anger structure would soon appear! But the piece to be made is a textile one … especially as I look over to see my latest sewing machine reminding me of what I’m here for! Since 1972, an Elna SU has been my main sewing machine & it’s done everything wanted as a designer/dressmaker. When broken & stitching was no longer perfect, they were replaced with ones found on eBay but unfortunately they can no longer be repaired & I’m now using the final one.

Teaching dressmaking for many years, I’ve witnessed various sewing users & always recommended Bernina machines - especially as it was a first choice of mine in 1970s (when purchasing the first Elna) but at the time they were too expensive for me. I dearly loved my Elna, had almost every sewing foot & accessory for it but had also obtained some other machines for other specific uses. Along with an overlocker (still going since the 1978), I also had an industrial & domestic computerised Pfaff machines for several years. The industrial one was finally sold & after an expensive repair to the domestic one, some 15 years ago, traded it in for second-hand Bernina 1630 (above) - a computerised machine with touch screen. About 3 years ago, an upgraded Juki overlocker was bought (with so many more stitching options than the one already owned) & then last year (after the trusty Elna had become a bit more noisy), thought an investment in a Bernina 1008 would be a good next step. Unlike the other Elna or 1630 machines, it had a front loading bobbin & every time it was used, the bobbin ended up rolling across the floor with me becoming increasing ‘rather angry’ about it. Also, it wasn’t as precise as the old Elna, found the tension to be less reliable & overall, used it less as I became more dissatisfied with it.

NOW FOR THE BEST BIT … Recently, while “playing around” & experimenting with some stitching for the Anger panel, the fine embroidery thread in the needle snagged & snapped in half! … I clearly saw part of it was wrapped around the inner spindle of the take-up lever … & my Elna would never have done this! After contacting the local shop, found it was now essential to have it repaired but after further discussion, decided to trade it in. The choice now was between a computerised Bernina 540 or a Janome 8900 & after Internet surfing both, decided on the latter - the main reasons being: it had a long arm (suitable for quilting or other large jobs), a push button & foot pedal control (which maybe in tyhe future very useful) but best of all, it had a top loading bobbin!

I’m highlighting all this within the story of the Anger panel for 2 reasons:  firstly I experienced a small sequence of “minor anger issues!” as a result of the 1008 front loading bobbin & secondly, the plan is to use both the new Janome & the 1630 for making the panel  & apart from recording my creative thoughts & ideas, included in the narrative are those experiences of the equipment being used - especially these 2 machines.

After Covid ...

(NOTE: The above "heart" is a sample that I came across whilst moving things around in my new workspace - it is about to take a "transform" but more on that later.)

Here I am ..... & once again updating - this time here with just a brief outline! Time has marched on & it won't be long til 2021 appears but since I last posted, I have been very busy. The new workspace is operational & is an absolute pleasure to work in as it has an "open wall" with doors to the outside ... on a hot day (like today) it's brilliant especially when you're really cool inside!

The 'old' workspace remains in a smaller area & at the moment just contains many items I'm not currently using. It's taken ages to sort all my things out but after distributing to charity shops & some textile groups, I'm left still with lots to use!! I've decided to discontinue with most of the other blogs that run ... mainly because I've decided to have just one place to generally display & the other to have more detail. Not sure at the moment which one will be which - that's still to do.

The studio at the end of 2018 ...

A corner of the studio with flooring down & new walls....

& some cupboards arriving ...

Bringing it under one roof ... Patterns of Life 3

Some more things coming together - most importantly finding paperwork to enable me to continue with my Google blogs (I'd misplaced my logon details in house move but finally found in one place).

Something else I came across was the above - a Trifari brooch which was in a box of other related items which I'll be mentioning in future posts but for now, I'm just using it for the new website logo (click if you want to see it). Additionally on the website, I've added some basic info regarding this item of jewellery - it's called " Wool Dolls "  - so just click the link if you want to read it. I also forgot I had this I'm my collection:

I'll be finding this in due course too ... a brilliant pattern from the 1940s ! By the way, the website is bringing my digital & practical portfolios together (an on-going current job) which I have decided to entitle "PATTERNS OF LIFE 3". I'm also moving the studio over the next few months ... an exhausting job!!

July 2018 & all has changed !

Hi everyone who reads this. Just to let you know I'm still around albeit my last post was 2016 & we're now over halfway into 2018!

A variety of things have happened - most importantly I've had a replacement hip op August 2017 ... the best thing ever as I now feel 21 again!!! Also our dog died (the one whose fur I was knitting) earlier that year & I moved just before the op!!! Traumatic for everything .... but I'm now back on track & hoping to continue where I left off. My poor favourite pink bottle brush transported well into rented accom garden (in a pot) before the final move & was transplanted into the ground (in the move house) about a month ago. It's now grown a bit & hopefully will do well.

I'm really pleased about this blog as it's meant I've been able to recapture all my thoughts .... albeit currently only in a hurried way. As soon as everything is located & easily reachable, I'll be updating in a much better way. With a house & hip ! move (etc etc) lots of my things have again been into boxes & only recently found & come out to see. The hip bit meant I wasn't able to get the house going as early as I'd have liked but the current weather has meant lots being done now. Many of my earlier ideas & projects are now hopefully "better equipped" ... or should I say - will be soon ... & at the moment, that's all I can say!!!

PS The dog shawl was finally finished, some knitting's been completed, some web sites have been undertaken & a new studio is about to happen!! So not been too lazy!!!

Silver bridesmaids to end 2015 ...

One of the bridesmaids dresses (back view) made last year - further information can be found by clicking this link (specific sewing information for this & other 'special occasion' items).

Dog fur gets spun ready to knit ...

I've recently had some dog fur spun (below left) ready for me to to use for knitting (below right).

Its "story" will be discussed & detailed here within my studio blog (please click the link to read about it).

Second article in "Be Inspired" ...

Last year, I wrote another creative article for 'Be Inspired' (click if you want to find out more about the magazine). This article continues on from the first one & outlines how I go about creating & designing some inspirational thoughts. In due course (ie. as soon as I have time!), I'll also be adding it to my sets of blogs.

Re-reading it, I've decided to label it along with 2 of my other projects (Interspection & Reflection) as I'm sure at a later date, it's likely to be integrated into 1 single 'project'.

Bustier & Boned bodices ...

Sorting through some of my 'boxed-up' bits I discovered this:

& together with the stitching of the wedding dress, I find myself wandering into thoughts of making garments & clothes once again! I thoroughly enjoyed making the boned bodice & with some ideas generated from Ally Pally's "Knitting & Stitching Show yesterday, think I may be heading off in this direction for a while especially as I have numerous lengths of assorted fabrics stored!!

An unusual skin !! ...

While working on the cell the other day, an interesting result was the production of 'skin-like' fabric pieces when the clingwrap was wet. I draped it over my dummy (covered in a black plastic sack) to dry & will have to wait for the end result when I'm next in to look at it !!

Dissolving ideas ! ...

On Amazon the other week I came across the above book "Stitch & Structure" by Jean Draper & for some reason had to buy it (as you do!!!). It's been a brilliant read & provided lots of inspirational ideas especially to do with dissolvable fabrics & the variety around today. I think I shall have to get hold of some now as I think it will answer some of my creative problems I'm experiencing re the 'cell' & other projects.

I'm still stitching with metallic threads on 'Black Cell' in the studio but much of my time recently has been spent dressmaking for customers as well as some alterations for 'Prom dresses'.

Sorry Black Cell !!! work must come first!

Time is not on my side ! ...

I'm currently experimenting with transparent plastics for my cell project - which unfortunately is progressing too slowly! Reasons? ... I've got a variety of 'mundane sewing house jobs' on so unable to get as much time as I'd like to continue with it. However, I do it when I can - currently I'm expanding on this small experimental piece from several years ago.

Samples of fabric meshes now in progress ...

2 mesh sample structures are now progressing - both using scraps left from a previous project. I usually use bits & pieces like this, as they are ready-to-hand & as such, are only being used to test certain techniques.

this sample reminds me of  'stained glass'

this one reminds me of an old-fashioned American quilt

In both cases, the samples are based on a 'MESH' & ultimately (hopefully!) will provide the techniques for several of my on-going projects. In both of the above samples, I am impressed with the way the 'fabric' retains its suppleness as well as having a tendency to 'form' into a 3D shape (this is also providing other ideas for development).

Also, both the above samples remind me of 'hand-made' paper in the way they both "handle" - an interesting side-effect of the work!

Self-portrait: masks ? ...

Last week, while sorting out some of my earlier designs & collating them into order, I came across these of particular interest:

Reviewing the 'self-portrait 2', I've noticed these colours (above left, pink & green) being used as well as the 'eye mask' (above right) idea included too. Reminded of the significance of these 2 images, I soon found myself on Pinterest looking at 'masks' & a fascination I have with them - even from a young age (below one I made aged 7 or so).

These specific thoughts are more significant especially in the context of some 'experimental textures' I want to create - those that appear to be one thing but on closer inspection are actually something else.

I now ask myself the question: "Is this what I'm creatively trying to achieve" ?

Self portrait 2 - next development ...

Following the computer designs from earlier (& inspired by subsequent stitching), here's the next colourful computer-generated "self-portrait". Although graphically representational, it is appearing (in my mind's eye) in a stitching format. So where to go next?

Mosaic or artwork?

For some reason I'm drawn back to an earlier sketch of several years ago - why at this moment in time? Thoughts of crazy/random patchwork - mosaics - Gaudi are beginning to filter into my thoughts (the sketch above to represent this) & not for the first time! Over recent months, this seem to be a repeating progression of creative thoughts & ideas that need to be addressed. So, glancing back over my 'creative route' to date, many interesting images are almost 'mosaic-like' in their appearance & have this almost as a common theme (perhaps because I have many interests myself & tend to work in a rather mosaicked manner).

Anyway, looking at the definition of the word, there appears to be links to my projects:

1. a picture or pattern produced by arranging together small pieces of stone, tile, glass, etc
2. an individual (especially an animal) composed of cells of two genetically different types
3. a virus disease that results in leaf variegation in tobacco, maize, sugar cane, and other plant

At this stage further 'sketches' need to be completed (I may start this via some computer designs - see my sketch book).

UPDATE: 10 March ... have now created some fabric samples & sketches continuing this on, click UPDATE to see them

Possible lacy "Interspection" techniques !

Additionally, the samples from a few days ago have triggered a few ideas as backgrounds to the set of "Interspection" designs:

In particular, the "lincrusta" design background is starting to be created in my 'mind's eye' - possibly likely to be in the form of free-style lace.