Handmade Brooch

Hi Everyone 

I’m still working on my Stitch Story brooch element Collection today. I’ve already shared a couple of samples (read back last week for images) of my brooches so far. My third and final sample will hopefully offer a new design which will incorporate some handprinted fabric. I’ve developed a sketch which I will start from. However , I’m happy to go with whatever presents itself as I work on the piece.

              

My idea is to make something with two parts, a drop-like fabric gem, attached to a main shaped piece. See the templates in my photo story. I’d like to attach some of my hand printed fabric to the main piece -using fibres which I can dry felt into a manufactured Felt. The plan is loose in order that I can experiment. I’m planning on using some beads and embroidery stitches to decorate my brooch.

               

The colours for the brooch will reflect my Stitch Story : Miss Mitchell, so I’m talking reds, blues and greens. Hopefully, I will have the finished piece ready for sharing tomorrow.

Thanks for calling in today. I’ll be back tomorrow.

Fibre Friday (11/5/18)

Hi Everyone 

I’ve not got much to report on the fibre front today ! Most of my week has been spent gardening and the only time I’ve had for making is my little knitting sessions each evening, consequently, I’ve not made much progress on any fibre projects.

I had started a new pair of socks, the Fragment Socks by Helen Stewart, last week. I’ve been knitting on the socks exclusively and have made some progress. I’ve also made lots of mistakes and have needed to redo new sections a few times, so lots of wasted effort !

         

However, I’m well down the first sock and should finish the foot part later. The pattern is great and I’ve managed to remember most of the 12 row pattern. I find, I can read the knitting quite well so it’s a leisurely knit as long as I do concentrate, a little. The yarn (see photo) is also lovely. The colour is wonderful and I particularly like the way the yarn, knits up. 

I need to start picking up my other projects next week. I have a couple of new ideas for projects and would quite like to cast on a new sweater. Having a few projects on the needles at the same time is something I like. 

Thanks for calling in today. Have a great weekend. I’ll be back next week.

Felted Broach - mini project

Hi Everyone 

I’m sharing my latest mini project results today, a couple of broaches. These little broaches have been made to embellish my Stitch Story : Miss Mitchell Project.

         

            

              

I wanted to develop a few broaches as samples for my next Making Workshop (15/8/18) but it was also important that they could embellish my Stitch Story bag. I’ve chosen to pick out key elements of my Story in the broaches. Both hearts and butterflies feature alongside felted fibres in colours which I’ve chosen from my Miss Mitchell character. Look back over the blog to find out more about the Stitch Story.

I’ve used handmade pins made from silver art wire to attach my broaches to the bag. However, if the broach is to be used as a wearable item of jewellery - pinned to regular woven fabric clothing, large holes will appear in the clothing. A hand knitted item would be Ok but perhaps a fine broach pin attached to the back of the broach (in addition to the large pin) would be preferable. I’ll develop another broach using this idea next. Also, part of my job today will be to develop a few more handmade pins for the project. 

Thanks for calling in today.

New Project

Hi Everyone 

Today, I’m sharing another new project. Not that I have lots for spare time to give to give ! However, hopefully I can manage to free up some time to start. The new project is a EPP (English Paper Piecing) idea. Essentially, this is all about a type of ‘quilting’. I was introduced to this craft some years ago and have made some small quilts in the past. My plan this time is to make a large quilted craft bag. I will develop the bag via EPP and add some embroidery and possibly some Stitch Story-like patches.Take a look at this information if you are not familiar with EPP.

I have a Sizzix die which cuts the hexagon shapes and is very useful in preparing the templates required to develop the quilting pieces and I’ve found some lovely fabric in my stash which will make a lovely quilted bag.

                         

This project is a long term thing for me. It will hopefully sit alongside my existing Stitch Story projects. I see the EPP bag as a relaxing thing. I will hand sew the individual shapes and use my sewing machine to attach a lining and bag handles. It’s something that I will try and give a short time to each day. I’ve not started yet. My first job is to make a pile of templates- that’s my job for today.

Thanks for calling in.

More Stitch Story plans

Hi Everyone 

It’s another lovely sunny day today. Yesterday, I spent lots of time trying to tame our very untidy garden. I think, the garden probably needs another day, at least !

However, I also have the start of a plan to add to my Stitch Story, so -  I’m hoping I can fit in a little embroidery. 

My plan is to embroid a little phrase on the bag of my bag ( read back on the blog for more on the Stitch Story). I’ve seen the phrase ‘once upon a time ......’ in lots of embroidered samples and feel it would work very well for my Stitch Story : Miss Mitchell. The back of my bag is currently a plain green fabric which needs something to balance the very busy front of the bag. I also think the phrase fits well with my Story. The Miss Mitchell Story is very much a fairy tale and rather unworldly.

                       

I’ve found some thick red thread which I think will work well for working a simple backstitch. I’m going to go freehand stitch the letters and then maybe some little flowers ? - if I feel the design needs more embellishments.

Thanks for calling in today.