Jean Littlejohn Talk and Class

Another busy weekend involving lots of textiles.

We had a great evening on Friday at Leamington Embroierers Guild where we had Jean Littlejohn to deliver a talk and then a day class on the Saturday.

I'm sure a lot of you are aware of Jean Littlejohn and her close work with Jan Beaney. So to start here are a few photos of her work and samples - she was very generous and let us handle these and take photos.

And her sketchbooks were great. I had serious sketchbook envy.

And here is the result of my day. Her suggestion to our group was to use one stitch - twisted chain stitch.

To make a back ground of this in a thick thread or wool, on a cotton fabric with an open weave with a very large eyed needle - a number 14 Chenille needle.

And then Bond a Web and foil was added

And then more stitching.

I bound some of my threads and I think this helped knock back the gold which was a little brash.

We then got to play with an embellisher. Never had a go before, but found it very easy to use.

I sewed a variety of threads onto soluble fabric in cross stitch in varying sizes. Then I went to the embellisher and worked from the front and the back. Then I added some more crosses in different threads which I really liked the effect of.

And here is our show and tell.

I think I can say we all had a great day. Jean is an enthusiastic textile artist and it was great to be able to see the work in detail rather than just in a book. If you get the chance to attend one of her classes - go.

Take care all and I hope you have a great Bank Holiday Monday - it might even be sunny.

Comments

Sarah said…

You lucky soul, what a fabulous class. I really need to work on my hand stitching. Sarah

5 May 2013 at 17:25

Cut and Come Again - sort of

Hello all. Are you managing to avoid the downpours? Crikey when it rains - it really rains. So here is my attempt at Edwina MacKinnon's 'Cut and Come Again' technique that she taught to our group - but I was unable to attend the class. I was a bit annoyed this week and this is a great technique when you're annoyed. If you look at the link to Edwina's blog you'll see hers is much better (as you would expect). But I think if I have another look at her blog photos perhaps I can adapt it. I'll be putting these blocks together to make a cushion cover for the show in Market Bosworth in June. I promise to show you the results when I have it finished. Have a good weekend - and keep dry.

At long last ......

At long last it's finished. My first large (96 x 78 inches) quilt. I'm really pleased with the pieced binding. It took a while to finish off - but I really like it. I've still got a bit of tidying up and I need to add a label - but the hard slog is finished. So I feel a bit lost now without a huge quilt to sit and stitch when I fancy. You can see from below I've already got the fabric for my next project from Strawberry Fayre. And yet again it was great service - really fast. I've washed the fabric and now it needs a good press. I also need to make sure I think about how the cut the fabric so I don't end up with lots of bits. The larger pieces I'll piece to make the back.

A new experience

Hello, After reading and looking at so many inspiring blogs I thought I'd dip my toe in the water. I hope you'll stick with me whilst I master this new thing..... I've only been quilting for a few years but have always been involved in crafts. My first experience of quilting was with my great aunt - the old fashioned paper hexagons with material from cut up purchases from jumble sales. I have advanced from this but I'm not the world's greatest quilter - although I am enthusiastic. The photo above is my quilt entered to Quilts in the Garden at Trentham last weekend. Although I didn't win a prize one of our group came third in the Bed Quilt category - we had a glass of bubbly to celebrate. I also have a bit of a thing for making bags - this comes in usful when we need things for our sales table at the village Festival (I can assure you they'll be lots more about this as we get nearer to the event). Hope you've enjoyed my first attempt...... I hope this pos...

A Village Quilter

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