How her hair flows

Now that I have finally gotten past my nasty bout of illness, no idea what it was but it certainly wasn't appreciated, I am getting back to a point where I can pick up where I left which was stitching the clock. The lady with the amazing hair is starting to look like I hoped it would, lovely. Its my aim today to get the rest of the main lines tacked down, remove the tissue and start tackling a section at a time.


And what I so far managed to achieve was:

This was the slow part, carefully removing the tissue paper from under the stitching. Used a needle and a pair of sharp tweezers to get rid of the fiddle bits. 

And this was how it looked afterwards, never knew it was ever covered in tissue paper

Slowly but surely I begin to fill in the sections of the hair, with a combination of back, running, split and chain stitch. I also use machine and stranded cottons in dark shades of brown, all to help give definition to the hair. I might consider putting in the odd highlight of gold thread, but I will wait until complete before I consider that one.

This is how it stands at present, rather pleased with the look of it so far and the aim is by the end of the weekend to get the the other sections around the top of the head done. Then next week it will be starting the top of the hair...well the tips, the rest of the design basically, hopefully getting to the face next weekend. Depending on how much I get done during the week. I do hope to be able to tack down the tissue for the other clock design too....busy times.

Now what projects are you working on?

WIP: Collaboration underway

So begins my next big project, been talking about it enough, yes I've finally started the stitching for the collaboration pieces. This is just one section of one design and after a bit of a false start yesterday, I've started a fresh today and cracked on. I had an issue with the transferring normally I draw on, long since gone past the days of pounce (I used to get it everywhere) I opted for thin tissue paper and stitching down the main outlines. Which works out as the better route for this lovely lady and her following locks. 

I shall keep you posted with its progression...

Tips for Using Ring Frames

Now I have always been the sort to work small scale when stitching, large pieces just don't do a whole lot for me and frankly I just don't have the space. Now if I was working big scale then I would work on a slate frame rested on a set of trestles, however, I don't mainly because it would take up most of my flat and secondly its been a very long time since I had a set of trestles and finally most of my work doesn't need to be done on such large frames. Now I am sure some will be going what are slate frames, and what the heck are trestles? If you had asked me before I did my Apprenticeship back in 2002 I'd have drawn a blank too.

Slate frames and trestles as seen in use at the Royal School of Needlework 

The image above shows you what a slate frame and trestles would be like in use, it's ideal for keeping large pieces of fabric taut. I can't stand loose fabric (unless it needs to be.)  

Anyway, because I don't use the above equipment I use a wooden hoop frame either in a barrel clamp or seat frame system. Now a tip if you are planning on doing a lot of embroidery, like me small scale, its worth investing in because unlike the skinny hoop frames, which frankly I prefer just to frame things in now, they keep the fabric nice and taut and so much easier to use because you can keep both hands free. The link to the barrel clamp isn't the greatest because its shown using a skinny hoop the best sort are the ones that are 1 inch deep, allowing for greater grip on the fabric. 

However, I don't just bung my fabric into the hoop and get on with it, no I get the hoop ready. By that I mean I wrap some plain fabric or webbing round both sets of hoops to help keep the frame clean (easy to replace) and helps with the grip on the fabric. 

You may have seen this hoop before, the webbing I used is a little grubby and is now due for replacing

Its not the easiest thing to do sometimes, especially if your not awake or your all fingers and thumbs. However, it is worth it, and once you've done it a couple of times you get used to it. 

So how is it done?

Lets start with the bottom hoop (the one that will have the dowel attachment) 

First thing to do is to either cut long strips of plain cotton, I used calico as it was the only thing I had to hand, or you can use webbing which is generally my preferred choice as it doesn't fray. Always have more than you need as depending on the size of the frame you don't want to be caught short, and the less you need to join bits together the better.

Hold one end on the side of the frame, start outside or in it doesn't matter, then tightly wrap the fabric round it so it covers the end, make sure that your wrapping is taut or it will just come undone.

This may take a couple of tries and countless swearing. Have tea on hand to calm nerves. 

Depending on how long your stripes are (if not using webbing) you may need to join two bits together, this is easy just running stitch the two ends together, making sure the hem/join is, when wrapping, laying against the frame and not on the outside where it could come undone over time. 

Carry on wrapping all the way round.

You will soon be back at the beginning and with a bit of patience you will be able to wrap round the bit of the frame that attaches to the dowel (that plastic bit) and cover over the bit where you first started. Again, make sure that your wrapping is taut or it will just come undone.

When you think your happy with the wrapping, cut off the excess strip, leaving enough to be able to tuck under (you can just see where I folded under about a centimetre of the fabric). Then with a needle and thread oversew the end to the intial wrapping, making sure stitches are pulled tight and secure, then either a knot and a few stitches to finish, then cut the remaining thread. 

There you go one bit of the frame done.

Only the second to go! 

Repeat the above steps, though with the top frame you will not be able to meet the beginning owing to the gap, so don't be tempted!! 

What you will have to do is when you start, stitch the beginning of the fabric/webbing strip to itself before wrapping and when you reach the end, finish off the exactly the same way as before. 

Now hopefully you've understood my instructions and you have yourself a set of well wrapped hoop frames ready to use!

Any questions?

New Clock

Flower Patches Desk Clock

With the collaboration under-way, which I can say now is going to be a limited edition range of wall clocks between myself and Heidi Burton. I've been feeling more inspired than ever which was how I came to not only recently design a new style of desk clock but make it too (see image above and below). Its made in linen and liberty tana lawn. It's a bit of a proto-type but I am extremely pleased with the outcome. I will at some point, I am sure, come to do it again no doubt in a different mix of fabrics.

Going back to the collaboration I will be working on some samples for the embroidery this week and by the weekend I shall hope to post a shot or two from this. I am currently awaiting delivery of some lovely linen from the Tinsmiths in order for me to start the very first one. I really can't wait! 

Me and Bergamot hanging out

Finishing & Starting a New

A Christmas Gingerbread House, which I gave to my Auntie and kiddliwinks. Too much sugar for me..but fun to decorate 

Christmas has been and gone and the New Year has well and truly started. Whilst January is one of those months that many, including myself, wish to skip this year I am quite happy to see it. Something about starting a fresh seemingly appeals to me at the moment, last year was so up and down that I hope it isn't the case for this year. I feel positive about what I need to get done and how to achieve it (sort of, but tea does feature strongly). 

One thing I certainly want to get sorted out is what I want to achieve in terms of making and selling and this includes me doing a clear out of the store, some will be taken down and distributed between friends and family (aren't you lucky!) and other bits will be heavily reduced. I hate having old things hanging about especially if I don't make them any more, bags for instance. 

Things you will see more of in the store:

• Wordy tissue holders (these are a hit and they make me laugh)
• Needlecases - though only till I have used up all my materials, this will be the last year I make them
• Clocks! Oddles more clocks, I have new ideas for desk clocks and finally have the collab between myself and Heidi started.

I will be doing another blog post this week which will expand on the clock side of things. For now I must get ready to go out.

Finishing off an old project, a little something for a friend....