Six week workshop - Sunnybank Mills, Farsley

I am running a six week course to include the following techniques; an introduction to embroidery, english paper piecing (hexagons), hand stitched shibori and indigo dyeing which will result in an A5 book cover to treasure.

Venue: Sunnybank Mills, Farsley
Commencing: 18th May 2018
Time:  2.30-5.00pm
Follow link above.

Stitched Together Exhibition at Green Howard's Museum

The Stitched Together project finished last year which resulted in an exhibition at the Green Howard's Museum in November-December 2017.  

All the participants of the project created their own messenger bags which were very personal and individual and techniques used were English paper piecing, printing (eco and screen), applique, hand and machine embroidery and cyanotype.

Dionne Swift and I both created pieces alongside all the Military Wives messenger bags.  

Sadly this project and exhibition has now finished but we are lucky enough to take it to various shows, the first being the Creative Craft Show 8-11th March at the SEC, Glasgow.  I will also be teaching two workshops on the Saturday and Sunday.  Dionne and I will then take the exhibition to the Creative Craft Show 15th-18th March at the NEC, Birmingham.  

If your at either Show please come along and say hello.

I'm back!

It's been a long while but I am back and looking forward to some exciting adventures!

I am presently second Artist in the military wives project called Stitched Together in Catterick, Dishforth and Topcliffe.  Four wonderful groups of very eager people to learn lots of new skills.

Full details can be found here and the lead Artist is Dionne Swift.

We have introduced quilting, hand and machine embroidery, printing, patchwork, Shibori and there is much more to come. 

Plus news of my new workshops - details will follow shortly.  

Introduction to hand Embroidery
Shibori 

Hexagon English paper piecing

Eco Print

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CarolAnn

Finished dress

Well I finished the dress but made it far too big!  My daughter always tells me off as I buy clothes the next size up but in fact I made this dress two sizes up so it was loose..... So I will cut the pattern down and make it again - you learn.  The pattern was really easy to follow and I stitched (with lovely linen) around the yoke.  So I will get the linen I really wanted for the next project and try again.

Sewing bee inspired!

It's the great British sewing bee time again and I am feeling inspired.  Never done dress making before so thought I would give it a go.  I love Merchant & Mills website it's a modern day "old fashioned" draper with lots of style and brown paper!

So I am trying their lovely Dress Shirt with Japanese cotton and a little bit of linen thread, so wish me luck!

New studio

It's been a while!  Sometimes life just takes over and you take a break.....

I am now settled into my studio at Sunny Bank Mills, and at the moment just playing and enjoying settling in.  People keep asking me what I am doing - the truth is I am finding out for myself catching up with a few unfinished items (am sure everyone can relate to that!).  Personal Development is required and to remind myself that I learnt a lot in my degree and need to experiment, play and always always learn more and enjoy that process.

We recently had some taster workshops at Sunny Bank and I started a 'community cloth' project to encourage people to come and stitch memories of the mill and the village.   Some people drew then stitched their homes - it's an ongoing project and over the next few months on the last Friday of the month I will be in the gallery cafe on a  Friday afternoon hoping people will come along, learn some stitches and have fun chatting and creating.

So for now ........

Fashion for the drab

I own up straight away for pinching the wonderful post title Claire Wellesley-Smith.
http://clarabellacraft.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/weekend.html

Last Saturday I went to her Muted palette workshop.  Had a very relaxing learning day discussing the muted palette and dyeing with French marigolds, walnuts, surprisingly Herb Robert ( Geranium Robertianum) of which I have lots in my garden, and many more.  As recommended by Claire I will leave them a while before rinsing and they will be used for quilting projects.



Key drab into google and it comes up with the following:

drab 1   (drb) adj. drab·ber, drab·best 1. a. Of a dull grayish to yellowish brown. b. Of a light olive brown or khaki color. 2. Faded and dull in appearance. 3. Dull or commonplace in character; dreary: a drab personality. See Synonyms at dull. n. 1. A dull grayish to yellowish or light olive brown. 2. Cloth of this color or of an unbleached natural color. [Alteration of obsolete French drap, cloth, from Old French; see drape.] I personally love the "drab" colour palette it's organic and natural qualities are certainly not what people use the term 'drab' for today. Thank you - as always inspiring, calming, knowledgeable - you always come away with wonderful historical facts about the amazing history of our textile heritage when you spend time with Claire.