Reflecting and looking foward.

Happy New Year !

As January dawns I always find myself looking back at the year gone by, reflecting on the highs and lows and planning for the next 12 months.

For the purpose of this blog it will definitely be highs and I'm so lucky that their have been many.

I've had my work featured in some lovely magazines including this one, Be Creative, its a really beautiful publication and seems to be going from strength to strength.

I was fortunate to exhibit my work at Made in Cheltenham and it was here I met Andy Poplar from Vinegar and Brown Paper. This sparked an idea for a collaboration and one of my favourite ever pieces was the result. It sold very quickly. I do hope we can do more.

 

New work was a theme for last year too, I created new pieces for an exhibition at Unit Twelve in Staffordshire. Based on a kitchen garden theme these were embroidered seed packets with visiting creatures. I will be back to this lovely venue in August to teach some workshops.

In October I was delighted to be accepted as a member of the Society for Embroidered Work this organisation promotes embroidery as an art form. Take a look at their website, so inspiring.

The year ended with another order from Liberty London, my husband and I delivered in person and enjoyed a smashing day taking in the Christmas atmosphere.

2019 will bring lots of workshops and an exciting collaborative launch, please sign up to my newsletter to get all my latest offers and events. I'm really excited to see what this year has in store.

 

How to hatch a Swallowtail.

 

Hello everyone, I thought it might be a good idea to show you the processes that go into one of my pieces. One of the questions I get asked most when I'm out and about with my hatchlings is 'how long do they take ?'  

So here goes.....  Making a Liberty Swallowtail.

Each butterfly begins with a drawing, either from a specimen, book illustration, photograph or a combination of all three. I create a line drawing which simplifies the wing patterns .

 

The next stage is to break the patterns down into colour layers, these can be any number but usually about three or four. These are then traced onto bondaweb. I then select the fabrics that best match the colours of the particular species.

 

Each of these layers are then applied to individual fabrics and cut out. I use a very sharp pair of scissors. On the Swallowtail the black layer is fairly complex, this can take well over an hour.

The layers are then fused together and placed on a background of silk with another one of interfacing. This creates a stable base for embroidery.

I can then begin to stitch, looking very closely at my original source material, I satin stitch the edges of each wing part.

Next I cover each piece with a voile or organza and stitch the veins on the wings.
Using my very sharp scissors I then cut away parts of this layer to reveal what's underneath.

This creates iridescence and depth.

 
I then apply more free motion embroidery to add interest, it's this stage where the piece can come to life. The separate wings are stitched together to complete the butterfly's shape.

Hand stitching tiny beads and sequins adds texture. I then felt a body from pure wool, referring to photos, sewing bead eyes and antennae of hemp string.
And he's finished.

 

To answer that familiar question, about three and a half hours, without the sketching stage.

 

Stitching at Liberty, a wonderful evening !

I’m so sorry it’s taken me so long to write down my thoughts about my recent trip to Liberty.

 

It all started with an email a few weeks ago asking me if I’d be interested in giving a demonstration in the beautiful haberdashery department. About twice a year, I think, the store hosts a Lotto evening with entertainment throughout the store and a chance to win discounts on purchases through a scratch card system.

After thinking for all of three seconds, I booked my train and accepted the invitation. For those of you who have read my blog before you know my love of Liberty and that having my work in the store is the greatest achievement in my embroidery career. So actually stitching within those beautiful walls was yet another dream come true.

I decided to work on a Purple Emperor butterfly, in iconic Tana lawn prints, purple is also such a Liberty colour.

 

Along with the butterfly I took my threads, beads and needle felting equipment, sketchbooks and patterns so people could see my processes.

 

The day dawned and I made my way to the station, I was fortunate that my hubby had work in the city on the same day so he came with me. It was just as well as I was also delivering a new order to the store, comprising of seven framed pieces, so the help was greatly appreciated.

 

 

 

As I entered the store I noticed a board with all the details of the day’s events, my name was on it. I was so thrilled.

The staff in the haberdashery are so lovely, especially Rachel who went out of her way to make me feel welcome. I was there with Alice Garrett of Alice Caroline and Petra Boase. We set up and got chatting, only to discover that Petra and I did the same degree course in Manchester, one year apart. It was brilliant reminiscing and made the evening just speed by.

 

I had to get to grips with a Janome machine, we eventually made friends though I won’t be swapping my Bernina. It was so nice to chat with customers and explain the process of making the butterflies.

The evening went really quickly, the store was buzzing with customers, live music and flowing Prosecco. I had a surprise visit from one of my dearest friends too, so that made it special. Having Richard, my husband, with me too was just perfect he is a constant support to me. It was such a lovely experience, with some retail therapy thrown in, and the chance to see behind the scenes, I will never forget it.

 

The Purple Emperor is now finished, I’ve named him Arthur after the original Mr Liberty. Thank you to my very special friend, Linda, for the suggestion.

I think I’ll hang on to Arthur, stitched within the walls of Liberty he is a very unique hatchling indeed.