Thursday 17 March 2016

Big Stitchings...

I've just finished the largest machine and hand embroidered piece I've ever attempted.
It measures 60cm X 60cm and is attached to a linen canvas.
It took many, many hours to stitch but I loved every minute.
I used the deconstructed layers from pieces of a beautiful old quilt that I bought from Hope and Elvis.
I am thrilled to be part of a group exhibition at The Steel Rooms in Brigg.
The theme of the show is 'Time' and I wanted to celebrate the beautiful hidden layers of the antique quilt, and to produce a marathon piece of stitching that would literally take a huge amount of time to produce.
I also wanted to record the construction of the piece itself, I hope you enjoy seeing how this hare made of scrips and scraps emerged!

33 comments:

  1. It is completely wonderful. Just gorgeous!
    I hope you don't mind me asking but do you use anything to keep the fabric scraps in place prior to stitching? Spray-baste or bondaweb perhaps?

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    1. Thank you me dear!
      Course I don't mind you asking, I use a tiny dab of fabric glue, just so that it won't get stuck on the needle or blow away! X

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  2. It's wonderful to see your process and to watch the piece evolve. Well done!

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    1. Thank you very kindly for such a lovely comment x

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  3. I love seeing you build up the layers. Gorgeous 😊

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    1. Thank you chuck, I usually forget to take photos so I was quite pleased! X

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  4. I do love your work, so free form I'm to precise need to work on the freeness. You have caught him so beautifully.

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    1. What a lovely thing to say. It's funny because I get nervous when I talk to real sewers who know the proper techniques as I have picked up bits here and there and made lots of mistakes! X

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    2. Mistakes = learning ( as in every day's a school day)!

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  5. This is a beautiful piece Mrs B and I love seen how you constructed it, especially the hare. Melding all of those bits of fabric for the face especially.

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  6. Just had to say, this is really lovely. Your hares always seem to have great character. Thank you so much for sharing the process. If only I could draw with such confidence! Better get back to the sketchbook then! All the best xx

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    1. Thanks Jo, just grab a pencil and a glass of wine! Ha! X

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  7. Fascinating, I couldn't do it,no patience..
    So my hat is off to you and just about to blog about you too!!
    love ya!! xx

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    1. I've seen your awesome skills in action!
      Love you too x

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  8. Beautiful Mrs. B! I hope you will include some of these photos at the exhibit so people can get a real sense of how long it took to create!

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    1. That's a really good idea Patty, thank you xxx

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  9. Mrs B, you're frolicsome hare is a delight to behold.

    And thanks for the photo journey. The different thread colours used in particular is intriguing for the effect you achieve.

    He is just stunning.

    How do you mount him onto the canvas?

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    1. Thank you so much.
      I used small amounts of fabric glue and hand stitching on a custom made linen stretched canvas. It is a really sturdy support so it seems to work well xxx

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  10. It's really interesting to see how your work unfolds... and congratulations on being highlighted by lazy daisy jones blog, she couldn't have picked a nicer blogger.

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    1. A www thank you chuck!
      It really made my day when I was invited to do so, I'm such a fan of Miss Daisy's blog xxx

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  11. What a beautiful face your hare has. I love your concept of time using the old quilt and recording the time the piece took. Congratulations I'm sure it will be much admired x

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    1. Thank you so much for your lovely comment x

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  12. Absolutely awesome. The hare is my favourite animal and you capture it so beautifully. Oh to be able to create something like this! Alas though my sewing skills may suffice I fear my drawing skills would never produce such an excellent likeness.

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    1. Thank you very kindly, it is lots of scribble fun! X

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  13. This is beautiful...I was glad to read that you used deconstructed fabric. I am always fascinated by each piece and I have been stitching for over 40 yrs.

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Would you like to make a comment chuck?
I'd love to hear your thoughts, just a minute and I'll put the kettle on.
Custard cream or bourbon?