Tuesday, January 30, 2007

New Work.

The Textiles course has just started back after the Christmas break. We have started work on more delicate felt incorporating threads and adding machine embroidery. We will also be adding machine embroidered lace edging which really intrigues me, since I've never tried doing this before. The following photographs show a couple of new pieces that I have been working on as a result of this course. Both of these are basically merino wool tops, with machine embroidery. At present neither look terribly interesting since they still have their water soluble layers covering the wool tops. Once the water soluble is rinsed away I shall gently and lightly felt the wool beneath.
I do love playing with textiles.......... Thanks Ruth (shes the teacher letting me loose with everything.)
This first piece is approximately eight and a half inches in diameter. Hopefully the leaf edging will turn into a lace once the water soluble has dissolved away. The next photo shows a detail of the stitching. I shall post pictures once I have been brave and put this into water.
The last piece will become a scarf. The colours are basically leaf green, yellow ochre and sage green. It is currently around forty inches long and ten inches wide. I have barely started the stitching which will hold it all together, I hope. The stitching may take quite a time to complete - I have images of stylised flowers and leaves in my head.
Much fun and games.
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5 comments:

  1. Margaret30/1/07 9:12 pm

    The stitching on the scarf looks good from here, I can't wait to see it when the stabilizer is gone. Speaking of which, how easily does it dissolve. I've never used it and have a project that calls for some.

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  2. NormaH30/1/07 10:42 pm

    Mandy, looks like you're really having fun. Looking forward to seeing the finished piece.

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  3. Mandy31/1/07 1:39 pm

    Thanks for the comments.
    Dissolvable stabilizer - I'm using one called "Romeo" at the moment - is quite easy to dissolve.
    Because of the shape of my circular piece and it's lacey edge, I shall be pinning it to a piece of expanded polystyrene saved from the padding of a box. This helps to keep the shape round.
    The Romeo dissolves readily - so don't use it on a damp or humid day, and keep drinks well away.
    Just place under tepid water and gently massage the work as the Romeo dissolves out. I have been told that adding a little soap into the water helps. Keep rinsing until it stops feeling tacky. Then leave to dry.
    All stitches need to interlink otherwise your work can unravel......
    Its good fun to use. Enjoy yourself.

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  4. Margaret31/1/07 2:54 pm

    Thanks, that is quite helpful. I do worry about the unravelling though...

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  5. Mandy31/1/07 3:01 pm

    Don't worry. The main thing to know is that the stitches need to run over each other, stitching them together. You can use zigzag or straight stitches depending on which you prefer.
    For a lace you need a line or two of straight stitch with zigzag running over the top.
    Why not try some small samples first. Photograph them before soaking them. This way you can find which style of stitching will suit the work you wish to do.
    Have fun.

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