February Progress
Nothing much has changed, the weather is still dismal and grey. Sad to say but I still haven’t finished my lovely big crocheted throw. Nearly there, 180 rows done, just the edging to do. Getting quite excited now the end is in sight. It has been quite nice spending a little time each evening on the sofa in front of the TV with my ever-growing blanket keeping me warm. Spent the day out with my son and 10 other 14 year olds over the weekend paint
balling. Well they were paintballing, I sat in the car and crocheted, jumped out into the rain, fed them, sent them off again, jumped back in the car, crochet and repeat. They all had a brilliant time and were exhausted by 4 o’clock. I had a marvellous time being able to crochet without feeling guilty that I wasn’t doing housework/ironing/vacuuming etc etc.
I have however also been working on a couple of my many UFOs. Just a few…
Having finished this lovely little piece, I have rediscovered my love of handwork, I started this stumpwork piece in a class with Kathy Laurel Sage about 18 months ago and I completed it last week. Just waiting for a frame now. And of course, I’ll have to find a home for it. It has reminded me how much I enjoy cross stitch and embroidery. And goldwork… and tapestry… and jewellery making in its various guises.
I’ve joined a monthly group starting next month here at Tudor Rose Patchwork with our new tutor Sue Stallard and I’m very excited about the projects we’ll be doing in class. The samples for each class are lovely and I’ve had a wonderful day ordering in the beads and crystals we’ll need.
The shipment of Czech delicas arrived on Thursday. Huge amount of work involved getting them ready for you all but actually thrilled about new projects that are ahead of us. Not to mention a couple of UFOs too… along with a bracelet and a necklace that need attention.
Help! There’s just too much to do and not enough time. Maybe if I didn’t sleep, eat, work or have to do anything with the children. And I keep finding more to do. I belong to a couple of Facebook groups and every day there’s a new pattern I’d like to make or new products I’d like to try. A good job I don’t belong to any other social media. It’s just madness. How do you decide which project, piece you’re going to work on next? Do you try and finish something a section a week whilst working on several others at the same time or just wing it, work on what you feel like that day?
Gold Work by Hand or Gold Work by Machine
Which one works for you?
By Kathleen Laurel Sage
Hi everyone,
We are now well into the New Year and many of us have already signed up for classes that inspire us to learn a new technique and make that stunning project. The weather is cold and dismal so it’s an ideal time to keep busy during the day with your machine projects whilst keeping cosy and comfy in the evenings with some hand stitching.
One of my favourite winter evening pastimes is my Gold Work embroidery as I can sit in my comfy armchair and stitch it when watching the television and being with the family. I can even manage it at a push with my dog on my lap.
Traditional Gold Work can seem so very intricate and people can be put off by what is actually a very easy to achieve technique when you are shown how. The simple stylised designs are accentuated by a couched cord sewn around them, then infilled with seed beads, leather and a whole host of lovely shiny gold work wires and cords that are available from the shop.
If you’re not a hand stitch kinda girl don’t fret because I like to push the boundaries to try and emulate the look of traditional stitching using my sewing machine. I have spent several happy days in my studio working out just how to do this and bring this stunning gold look to those of you who prefer to use your sewing machines.
What’s the difference?
First of all the embroidery hoop went and a stabiliser fabric was introduced to support my design. A quick gathering of all things gold such as cords, machine thread, ribbons and beads and I was ready for the challenge. Now all that I had to do was experiment with how to emulate my lovely gold work using only my trusty old sewing machine! With a little practice and a good look at what my basic machine had to offer I soon realised that it was no big deal, just use the machine stitch to accentuate the design and to couch the cord. Simple really… What about the leather though? Well the machine didn’t like going through such small pieces so back to the drawing board, but not for long. Tudor Rose Patchwork has a new and sensational product called Fusible Glitter Film and wow it does a grand job of replacing the padded leather of the traditional method. So away I went again. With the use of a few utility patterns and a dab of gold paint, I had soon created my new machine version of traditional gold work and wow I was pleased with it. Plus it took me much less time to complete and finish than the hand stitched version. A real plus when time is short.
I love the fact that it can be done both ways and I invite you to come along to my machine embroidered, ‘All that Glitters is Gold’ workshop on the 18th February and have a go for yourself. Whether you’re a hand stitch girl or a machine stitch girl, you can both do gold work.
And for those of you who love your hand stitched version don’t forget to book a place on the Gold Work sunflower on Monday 26th June. We have also opened up another date for the popular Gold Work Bumblebees on the 22nd November. So hurry and book your place as they are going fast!
Hand embroidered Gold Work
Machine embroidered Gold Work
You can book a place on Kathy’s upcoming courses, and find out about our other courses HERE
Not Christmas Already?!
Well no, but panels and fabrics are arriving thick and fast so that we can all be ready in time. Gifts
created and decorations made.
Today, I’m at the sewing machine making Christmas Stockings.
It’s a bit of a chore, however, to find inspiration when the sun in beating down and the temperature
is topping 26 degrees C. Not that I’m complaining about the sun at all, just finding it hard to think in
terms of Christmas and the Winter season.
What embellishment will enhance the stockings? Do I go for glitz and sparkle or something more
subtle? It is a Christmas stocking after all so maybe sequins and seed beads. The panel I’m using has
a Scandi feel to it so perhaps embroidery with a bit of glitzy DMC. Watch this space.
Jon has already been busy putting together an incredibly simple “folded” advent calendar. We are
all amazed by how quick and it easy it was to make and customers are loving the end result. Proving
popular already.
Who else has started getting ready for the festive season? Tell us about the projects you’ve got in
mind. My mum is making bags for her friends this Christmas, it was cushions last year, and already
has 2 completed. Only 5 more to go!
Delighted with the finished result. Only took a couple of hours, computer had to be worked at and
customers had to be looked after in between!
I’ll be in touch with my next sewing challenge….Joy
DMC Big Pink Ribbon Project
Tudor Rose Patchwork is supporting DMC to make the World’s Biggest Pink Ribbon which will be on display at The Handmade Fair 2016. The ribbon will be made up of lots of little pink projects made by hundreds of crafters from across the country.
The project is to raise money and awareness for The Pink Ribbon Foundation which supports UK Breast Cancer charities.
It’s so easy to get involved, all you have to do it is pick up any pink DMC product and embroider, crochet, cross-stitch, tapestry or stitch a little something (10cm X 10cm max).
It can be any design or technique you like, as long as it’s pink! You can also make as many as you like! Even something as small as a Pom Pom or tassel will fit the bill, so now mater what your crafting ability is you can get involved!
We will be collecting all projects until the 26th August, then they will be sent as a group to The Handmade Fair. We will also include a card signed by everyone you donates a project (you can remain anonymous if you wish).
Thank you in advance for your support.
Happy stitching!
N.B DMC will not be able to return any of the donated projects.