Open and welcoming visitors!

The Brunel Broderers Exhibition ‘Suited’ is open and welcoming visitors!

Part of Select 2013

Open till Sunday 19 May – (closed Mondays)

 

deconstructing…

My research took me to the V and A  This was where Beatrix Potter went to draw the waistcoat for the Mayor…   It also took me to the Ashmolean

In both I looked at and drew waistcoats embroidered with silk floss satin stitch flowers of breathtaking beauty and skill.

The buttonhole stitch and the satin stitch stay in my mind. They combine in a fragmented and deconstructed sample…

buttonhole stitches..

 

Magenta vintage buttonhole twisted silk… how it radiates colour, light, vitality

The middle piece – the energy of my frustration in unpicking a set of stitches full of mistakes and the subsequent delight in the thread – pulled, unravelled, frayed….

wheeling in thoughts..

A dilated view – the camera lens reveals so much detail and I like the way the light catches the thread – it is the thread I want to focus on – the beauty of it’s substance as twisted silk as well as it being my intervention into the cloth – my stitches / my thoughts

What I most notice about this is the shadow – being able to see the stitches at the back of the organdie fabric – the running stitches, the buttonhole stitch, the tiny tufts of thread.. Catching the layers – not hiding but revealing all

I have travelled between the tailor’s wool and a translucent fabric or tissue with the buttonhole stitch. It confirms where I feel more naturally at ease. I have deepened a view of thread and stitch being integral to thinking – I think / I stitch – there is no separation – one flows with the other.

This week I will share work on the tailor’s wool suiting – the sketchbook is filled, overflowing – and I am selecting images to share at the exhibition, and which written reflection to record on audio.. hmm – much to be done!

For detail have a look at Select 2013 

 

 

Travelling bags…

Have a look at the Brunel Broderers site – I just posted on there! More later from me…

catching thoughts…

Catching thoughts…. the buttonhole stitched wheels seem to represent thoughts with a trailing line connecting them…

It is an early morning practice – like meditation… I observe, I notice, I stitch with a gentle rhythm until, as in meditation and breath work, my concentration drifts away and cannot be held longer… I find the work on cloth remains with me all day, peeping through into my mind…

I journal too – another way of noticing what comes into my mind – it is quickly noted – no refining! And I photograph – the lens providing a dilated view – a deeper look to connect with.

There is a whole sketchbook to share – of buttonhole making, of reflection.. this just seemed like the place to start!

See this Brunel Broderer post for another view of where the work is!!

cherry red buttonholes?!

The start of some posts about cherry twisted silk.. about stitching.. about rhythms… about thinking.. So many images to share, thoughts to reveal…

imapiece

Craftivist Collective – this is a place I would love you to visit… Why not wander over there now and browse…. and you will soon find yourself looking at the imapiece project

Craftivism is close to my heart – stitching inspired by political and social motivation – having a voice, developing discussions, engaging people in issues through the making process.
This is Bath Save the Children Shop Window last night. I work here – volunteer – quite alot actually..! It is developing into a wonderful community – yesterdays family vibe was fun, creative, and  laughter filled the shop – a special place to be. At Save the Children The IF Campaign is central to 2013′s work. And so – imapiece is something we are actively supporting.. By the way, the transfer of my photos from my phone has caused a bit of blurriness – but that is a bit like my life so there we are!

Alison Harper and I made an imapiece ‘kit’

Alison volunteers at STC too!

 

 

Oooh – a little diversion… I did a lino cut of the Save the Children logo and look at these drying – which are now strung in a long line across the shop window – a mix of concepts from bunting and prayer flags – I tried to give these a fragility, a movement, a connection – something deeper and universal – so yes, my loose threads are there as ever!

Back to the jigsaw..

 

Making session at The Bell, Walcot Street

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A finished piece…

 

 

 

 

 

Chapel Arts Cafe making session

 

 

 

 

I made this on on a train from Dorset to Bath..

Amazing what a journey can offer!

 

 

So – we will keep going – working, talking, making – being a part of something which is positively, actively, energetically and creatively making a difference….

 

new year, new mend

Uh oh – where have I been?!

Balancing….

Remember this… jeans mending piece

Well , it seems to be attracting alot of interest! I find this heartening.

It always feels natural and easy working on denims – patching, mending, stitching, embroidering, creating something with a deeper beauty whilst protecting it, saving it from falling apart. It has lead a full life, shows the signs, the places of strain as well as tears.

So – in looking, suddenly I notice the full subtle colours of the threads, the softness of the cloth through wear. I want to hold on to this.

To back the tears with bursts of colour, to stitch the layers with rhythm and balance

and add something.

 

 

 

I want to thank someone special too – for her inspiration, and a practical note about blanket stitch! Have a look at http://daintytime.net/2012/12/15/faq-mending-binding/

Thanks Sherri Lynn!

Adding something…

A few years ago I made Christmas stockings for very special children in the family.

I decided to update them today – to add something each year as a surprise so there is both treasured familiarity, continuity and memories and some excitement too!

I didn’t want to make totally new – I like the idea of valuing and adding to what we have

We still have the ones my grandmother made for us and what memories they hold…