Stuff...

This is not my work- but in making my journals, I want to incorporate machine and hand stitching onto my pages- just not as busy.

Interesting link

Just found this link to a fiber artist workshop online:

http://workshopontheweb.com/index.htm

Maggie Grey has written several books about fiber and embroidery including one that discusses Solvy.

Experiments

A few photos of in class experimenting with machine stitching on organza, loose weave hemp/linen, and heavy weight printing paper.


Two prints sewn together to form a nest around the egg.


Various fabrics layered and cut out to make windows to see what is hidden behind.

Evoke: my piece at the Surface Design conference

Needless to say, I had a fantastic time in Kansas City, Missouri, attending the Surface Design Association's conference, Off the Grid.

Here's Evoke, the piece I exhibited...it's an 18 inch square backed with a black cotton...

My new treasure

I went to my favorite antique/junk barn in Sterling today. The Cider Mill is a great place to find just about anything, especially the ones you didn't even know you were looking for. Today I found a 1940's vintage cotton Red Cross flag. It is 4' x 6', the fabric is a bit stained but not rotting, and only has one tear. I want to figure out how to use it in an art installation piece.

Class Photos

Here are a couple pictures from class this morning. I think it might be fun for non-class members to be able to see a little of what we are doing.

Lesley Dill Exhibition

Thought you all would appreciate her work too.

May 15 - September 13
Smith College Museum of Art

This exhibition of 34 works by Lesley Dill (American, 1950-) focuses on her recent sculptural installations. Dill's work can be both ephemeral and spiritual, as she uses bronze, photography, poetry, thread, wire, and paper to sculpt her figures and build her tapestries.

http://www.smith.edu/artmuseum/exhibitions/dill/index.html

Class notes today....

Jenn and I attempted to fix the feed dog drop on her lovely old Singer sewing machine...without luck. We also discovered that her bobbins fit my machine, and surely vice-versa...Jenn also brought in some punch needle work she just learned...a fantastic way to create relief work in stitches...

Keep posting your experiments! Try out some quilting...and don't forget to bring in batting and fabric next week if you want to try some quilting...

Foldover Purse or Carrier of Photos?

What is the back of this to make it so stiff, like a fold over piece thats heavyweight? Is this doable?

Machine Stitch

Hi everyone:
I got the darning foot right after class and
found out where to drop the feed dogs.
I tried the free hand machine embroidery!
I made a small 'coaster' looking at the issue
of one's perspective on life. 'Do you look
at life as glass half empty or half full?'
I thought it would be fun to do a coaster set!
What do you think? I have to work on the
representational aspect of the glass though.

Comments on work...and what to bring for next class...

I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day.

For next class:
Those of you that want to use solvey and want to machine quilt, please bring a machine, even if it's borrowed. It's important that you get used to your own, and if something happens to mine, I'm ultimately responsible. :)

Also: bring solvey, hoops, some batting and cotton/muslin so that you can quilt. Don't forget a darning foot...if you have one, bring an even-feed quilting foot...but it's not necessary for now...

Lori and Jessica: Look into getting a plate to make your machines able to do free motion. If you have had success finding one, let us know.

Here are a couple of pages from a reference that shows you how to begin to free motion embroidery.

Lori and Jenn: Just some comments on your work and concepts that you are addressing.

Lori: Self-portraits. Are you trying to depict life transitions? Are they smooth or rough? What do you want to reveal/veil to the viewer? A combination of personal imagery with universal symbols?
Keep going with the collage/assemblage. Some compositional devices you may want to think about: Breaking the frame, varying the checkboard squares' sizes, overlapping the squares, larger scale. The concepts/ideas you address in each piece will dictate such decisions. You have a lot in your personal skill set and toolbox...GO FOR IT!

Jenn: Family history vs. respect for 'women's work', history of handmade vs. scientific/technology...but the connundrum with technology is that we still need the 'hand' or the human 'brain' to make it happen....how you choose to address these ideas in your work is up to you...but you have a wealth of skills and background to make it happen. Knitting/stitching/antique textiles/printmaking....think about an installation piece...


As you develop your work, you may want to write an artist statement. Click here for a guide. Click here for a sheet on concepts to think about while developing your work.

Looking forward to your images and comments!!!! Laura

Sharing

Hello everyone -

Here is a print made from a piece of tatted linen.



I have several artists from flickr that I follow and admire. I thought I'd share them here. Sorry I couldn't post the photos directly, but they're protected.

Gooseflesh is an Australian artist who embroiders and crochets. She has made elaborate coral gardens as well as her big project The Rubbish Vortex, made from plastic bags and other junk.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hellejorgensen/2295224170/in/set-72157594581287464/

Fi@84 combines hand stitching with felting/fulling and bits from her linen closet.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26023164@N06/3373120134/

kayla coo also does hand stitching on felted bits. She usually does tiny landscapes with gorgeous little trees.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kaylacoo/3479502209/in/photostream/

Studiofelter - more felting and stitching
http://www.flickr.com/photos/studiofelter/3430791421/in/photostream/

And someone just sent me a link to this embroidery stitch reference website:
http://inaminuteago.com/stitchindex.html

Welcome students!

Click here for the syllabus, just in case you lose it.

I look forward to a lively and friendly exchange of ideas on art, embroidery, and all things textile. Please post images of your works in progress....