Journal quilts.

The last week or two has been rather a roller coaster, personally. During the past week my dear little friend, Coco, died. Her general health had been deteriorating over the previous couple of weeks, but her loss has been quite a blow. You will recall that her brother Felix died before Christmas. She had been getting on so well with our dog Ella, despite the difference in their ages. Coco was 19 years old, Ella just 6.

On to the textiles worked on this past week. I managed to get my four journal quilts finished and posted just before the deadline, on Saturday. Why, oh why, do I always end up finishing things at the very last moment. I really must try to get things done earlier from now on.

Tree and leaf 1 - May
(felt and tea-dyed cotton applique over my own screen printed fabric, machine quilted.)

Tree and leaf 2 - June
 (my own painted and then screenprinted loose woven cheesecloth fabric.
Applique using my own screenprinted cotton, quilted.)

Line drawing - trees - July
(tea-dyed fabric background with overlay of sheer fabric.
This latter fabric has been cut using a soldering iron.
Machine quilted outline.)

Hedgerow - August
(Background fabric was a cleaning cloth after a session painting the background fabric
for my Horizons quilt. Over this is an overlay of painted cheesecloth.
The applique shapes are commercial fabrics.)

 Each of the above is from my series which has the theme of Silhouettes and shadows. I had intended to insert some shadows into the last four pieces, but have got myself stuck on the theme of silhouettes and simplifying them. Each of these pieces is quite minimalist - simple shapes and stitching. I really am not sure how to continue the series at this point. I think I shall probably just doodle with some shapes before continuing and intend to work on the final four pieces in one session - or a series of sessions during the same week.

Drying fabric dyed during a dyeing session at Brenda's house.

Drying fabric dyed during a dyeing session at Brenda's house.

The fabrics I dyed at Brenda's house the other week have all turned out rather paler than I had thought. However, I shall find these perfect for overprinting or screenprinting at a later date. I am looking forward to attending another dyeing day later this month.

Dressmaking again, again

Finished dress.

Well, I finished the dress this week. I was really quite pleased with the fit. It is rather a good design which I shall definitely be making again. I shall probably do one of the sleeved versions next.

Dress with jacket - this will be trimmed with offcuts from the dress.

This is the simple black jacket I intend wearing over the dress. It just needs trimming since it is rather a drab piece of clothing otherwise. It started out as one of those tops with a false top beneath. I cut off the false piece since I found it rather ugly, and I really found myself wondering why I had bought the piece in the first place.

Bits and pieces waiting to be put together.

Jacket awaiting trimming.

I finally managed to take a photo of the two animals together. This was their evening meal. Luckily, last night was much cooler and they were really hungry, so they were quite happy to ignore me as I took photos. Both animals are really getting on quite well now. Ella is a little cautious of Coco, whilst Coco tolerates Ella's presence in the house.

Tea time.

Dressmaking again

Back garden - bird feeders.

It is hard to keep focussed with the weather being fine outside and a dog wanting attention. We have got into quite a pleasant routine here. Each morning, Ella goes for a walk before the weather gets too warm. She goes out with either my husband or myself, or quite often both. We then all enjoy breakfast before Ella has a rest blocking a doorway. She loves to be close to us. Coco seems to have settled and developed a taste for dog food. It has proved rather difficult to take a photo of Ella watching her food being eaten by Coco who has pushed in front. Ella is very patient and lets Coco eat before claiming the rest of her meal.

In the evening, when it become much cooler outside, we all go out for another walk, returning to find Coco waiting for us by the front gate. Once back inside the house both animals have their meal and we all settle down for the evening. It is nice that Coco generally comes for a cuddle while Ella flops down and has another snooze.

Ella - having just woken up.

I've started making a new dress for myself. It is intended for a wedding I shall be going to at the beginning of August. There is a second pattern and fabric waiting just in case this dress doesn't quite seem right.

Quilters cotton fabric.

I couldn't resist this fabric when I saw it. It is really a quilters cotton fabric, but is once of those soft cottons which can also be used for dressmaking.  The pattern I am using is one I used some time back. I had intended to make the open neck version with short sleeves, but hadn't noticed that the design really only works in one direction. As a result I am making the version shown on the package once again. 

Using A as shown.

I've loved wearing the first dress I made, so will be happy to have the same design again.

Textiles and promoting tolerance.

Well, the past week has been rather a blur - trying to get my quilt finished, getting to know a new member of the household and making sure Coco didn't get too upset. Hence the tolerance issues.

Stitching sheer fabrics to create texture

My quilt is rather further on than this photograph shows, but I thought you might like to see the fun I had making textures using various layers of sheer and satin fabrics.

Coco

Coco is the cat who rules this household. A very dear friend, she is now 18 years young. She has a reputation for going round each of the neighbouring houses and sampling the food of the cats living there. 

Last weekend we had a visit from both my daughters, the elder of whom brought a dog along. The dog had been found wandering the streets of Macclesfield and Liz had been trying to trace the owner. Coco ignored this dog for the duration of the visit.

A couple of days later, Liz had successfully traced the owner. Very sadly, the owner did not want the dog back and so ownership was transferred to us.

Ella

Ella is now the new member of the household. Six years old, a Husky-Akita cross, she is getting to meet all our neighbours and explore the local area with us when we go for walks together. She is a delight, and is lying behind my chair as I type this post.

Coco is getting used to Ella, and is quite happy to be in the same room as long as Ella does not approach. Since she used to live with cats, this is not a problem.

Both animals are getting a lot of love and attention, the only thing we ask in return is tolerance.

Ah well, off to the sewing machine and getting Ella used to the various noises it makes.