Mysteries of Machine Embroidery-workshop

Hi all I have arranged a new workshop 'Mysteries of Machine Embroidery' the details are below-

Learn how to use your sewing machine to free machine embroidery, suitable for beginners and the more advanced.

Tuesday 8th September 10.00am to 4.00pm with Sue Chisnall-Sumner at Avant Garden Centre, Wigan Road, Leyland, Lancashire PR25 5XW tel 01772 433777 to book and obtain the requirement list & details. £40.00 which includes lunch and refreshments during the day,

Messy workers

One more step to Skirmish Weekend- Caroline and I had a bash at making some more talisman. They were originally going to be totems for Medieval Fair, but as now a Jacobean re-enactment we have decided to change the name to fit a more war like period.

Using wood, wire, fabrics, wool, beads etc we assembled seven very strange objects. Not sure what to charge for them or whether they will appeal to the public.

However we don't mind too much as we had fun making them. Loads of mess, chaos but fun.

Glad its not my carpet!

muddle of wire & twigs

Will let you know what the outcome is.

craftie days

Great day yesterday with my youngest Grand Daughter Gaby making fimo figures- she is very talented -takes after her Nanny Zoo (that's me!)

She is great at drawing and using the computer, and specialises in Animes and Pokamon. In fact thats all she talks about!

Below are some photos of her work. Gaby's fimo models are on the left---

I  also attempted some fimo buttons and one bead using the little waste bits of fimo.

I also attempted  some pulse warmers for Gaby, based on Flutter Shy. Not bad eh???

Further preparation for Skirmish

Well, low and behold I received the poster for the fair and it turns out that this year it will be based on The Jacobite Rebellion 1745- which is about 200 years after the Medieval period! Consequently my outfit is no good as completely the wrong period.

Back to the drawing board!!!!

Having done some research I came up with a few ideas- to keep costs down I have used one of my blouses from M&S but had to cut the collar off. I also found a black jacket in my wardrobe that with alteration would fit the bill nicely. Hence a Butcher Job again - off goes the collar and zip, the sleeves have been shortened & cuts made into the bottom edge. Voila a Jacobian jacket!!!. I did machine embroider around the slits which resulted in plenty of re -threading and replacement of broken needles, as the fabric is very tough. However I think the results are fairly good.

I made a quick journey to my local fabric shop for striped material for the skirt and cotton muslin for a petticoat.

The overall look is quite authentic or though my Grandaughter reckons I should wear a bonnet- not sure about that, but may try to knock one up later.

Photos below show outfit so far.

not the best model in the world!!!

back view -thats better! But maybe I should ditch the watch???

Preparing for the Skirmish Craft Fair

Well I am well on the way making more items for the Skirmish Craft Fair at Samlesbury Hall 30th & 31st August. More details to follow on times etc.

Having visited the Lavender Fields, I came home with a supply of dried lavender. I had already purchased some strips of linen from the Woolfest with the intention of making some lavender bags for the fair.

I successfully made seven rather nice aromatic bags- pictured below;

The lavender sprays were made by free machine embroidering on cream egyptian cotton using cotton thread, these were then bonded to the front of each bag front using bond-a-web.I decided not to make normal seams as corners would be too bulky- preferring the more rustic method of leaving raw outer edges. Caroline is going to make some too.

I have made a few pairs of pulse warmers by adapting a knitting pattern, these are not particularly medieval, but slightly gothic- but you never know what might sell- Caroline has already nabbed a pair!!!

We both have to dress up in medieval clothing, and my dress is nearly finished- I used a dust cloth which I dyed olive green in the washing machine. I took my measurements (scary!!) and just cut it out by eye. I am really pleased with it so far- but need to make some detachable long sleeves- again a suck it and see job. I might make some sort of tabard, but will have to look at my medieval books for inspiration.

I will add some more photos later.

Here are the photos of my dress for the Skirmish fair, including the laced on long sleeves- what a nightmare as my tool for making eyelets & attaching them would not work on the fabric. So I had to resort to hand stitching- hopefully they will hold out & not fray.

The dress actually looks good on, but alas I have no one handy to take a photo- so a photo with the dress uninhabited will have to do.

close up of lacing

Summer School

Hi back from Summer School and completely exhausted, but really enjoyed it. The weather was good to us and only rained at night! Marguerita and I shared a room, which was large light and airy- brilliant.

The workshop I attended was with Ruth Brown, Cyanotyping, whilst Marguerita decided on Alice Fox's Rusting workshop. The two go together really well and Marguerita & I have already decided to combine the two techniques, as if you think of it Blue & Orange look really good.

I did come back with some lovely samples, however one done using silk velvet went really weird in colour when stacked in my workroom- the colour changed from wishy washy blue (which I thought was a failure) to black, brown, yellow & blues from the bottom up- it has transformed into a landscape??? So you see there are no such things as mistakes!

I intend to do more, as I bought a basic kit from Ruth, have sourced the boards to attach the work to & am just off to get the chemical needed from the chemist, that's when I get changed out of my nightwear.

Here are some photos of the weekend, they include photos from my workshop & Marguerita's.

before being developed by UV light 

after development

love watching things dry!

end results

samples of rusting

Lavender Fields & Summer School

Hi well when I get my act together I will pack my bag & away I go.

I am meeting Caroline & her Mum to visit the Lavender Fields near Rainford. Not sure what to expect & of course its been raining. However I know they have a cafe there - so jobs sorted! The idea is to buy some dried lavender to make some lavender bags for sale at the Skirmish Craft Fair. We already have the fabric & need to make the bags look medieval!!!

I will add some photos later.

Then on to Summer School run by North West Region of the Embroiderers Guild. I have booked a 2 day workshop on Cyanotypes (Blueprints) with Ruth Brown. I am staying over so should be eating loads of food!

I am sharing a room with Marguerita, who is on another workshop (Rusting with Alice Fox)  this year, hopefully my snoring won't get to her- I may take ear plugs for her.

Tracey is on the same workshop as me- so should be a good laugh.

This is the only workshop I have done at Summer School where I managed to get all the 'Play Stuff' into one bag- heaven!

However I must remember to gather some flowers from the garden for printing. I have already collected leaves etc. I suppose lavender may work?

Anyway I'll let you know how I get on, with further posts & pics.

Oh by the way you notice I packed my play stuff well in advance, leaving my clothes etc to last???