Sewing has been my theme over the past weeks. Either visiting exhibitions, going to sewing workshops or sewing at home. I have concentrated on the therapeutic aspect. Threading a needle; sewing by hand; placing each stitch; selecting the colours; learning different stitches and techniques. All make you slow down. You cannot hurry. And then reflecting on the finished article. Or that is the theory. Actually lots of things never get finished. So my aim is to dig out various UFOs [Un finished Objects} and turn them into something. See how long ago it is since I made this and it has languished in a cupboard (in fact more than one cupboard as I have moved house) ever since. Now I have to think what to do with it. One of the problems is that we all inherit things like this from previous generations, and don't know what to do with them. I have salvaged ones that I like and use them. But it does beg the question what is the purpose and use of embroidered bits of cloth? But first to exhibitions. Ripon Cathedral had a remarkable exhibition of wall hangings, only there for a short time as they are touring various cathedrals. This photograph from http://www.yorkshireguides.com/ripon_cathedral.html The wall hangings were made by Jacqui Parkinson, called Threads Through Creation, and took THREE YEARS to make! Wow. You had to get very close to appreciate the tiny, tiny stitches. This is just a taste of what was there. Truly inspiring and I just wonder how Big her sewing room is to put together pieces of embroidered fabric this size. You can see where the exhibition is going on Jacqui's website and look in closer detail at her designs. https://www.jacqui-textile.com/creation/ I have also been to see The Stamford Bridge Tapestry. This is not quite as big as the Bayeux Tapestry but is in the same style. There are twelve huge panels (here adorned with tinsel), which tell the story of the Battle which was before the Battle of Hastings. It is beautifully made, the detail, and humour, is wonderful. You have to look at each panel several times and each time see something different. There is a stitch called Bayeux Stitch. Now I must have a go, it gives texture and depth to the sewn picture. And used the same colours as in the Bayeux Tapestry. They have even grown some of the plants in Stamford Bridge. The heat of battle, and they had one lady who embroidered the blood. As soon as the Battle of Stamford Bridge was won and the Vikings sent packing, a message arrived from the south to say that the Normans had invaded. You will see that the fourth soldier from the right was just taking this message on his mobile telephone. If you are in this district do go, the display is at the old Railway Station. Over the past year I have gone to a variety of sewing workshops to learn new things. Mostly these have been at Duttons for Buttons, a quaint little shop on Coppergate in York. It is worthwhile going just to experience the building which dates back to the 15th century and is all crooked little corners and tiny staircases and amazing oak rafters. Imagine the crooked man who had a crooked cat that caught the crooked mouse and they all lived together in a little crooked house, and that is the building where Duttons shop is. Anyway, making a sampler is a traditional way of recording stitches as you learn them. This is my modern take on that idea. Now the challenge is to do something with all these, and then do something with all the UFOs in my cupboard. I have made a zipped purse with one. These are just some of my UFOs. I made the chessboard in, wait for it, 1998! yes, and all I have to do is finish the border and take it off the frame. One of my heroines is Nelly Weeton [1777 - 1849] whose life was extremely troubled, but eventually she gained some independence and went on a holiday to London in 1824 where she visited an exhibition of needlework. It may have been this one which was advertised in the Morning Herald from 1822. So it is good to know that needlework is still held in esteem, and worth exhibiting and putting to good use. Now before the light fades anymore, I must go and thread a needle ......
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AuthorThis is where you can share creativity with me. I believe that everyone has something creative within them, and it is a joy to find ways of being creative. Blogging is NEW to me, so here goes ..... Archives
January 2024
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