9/12/2011

Project Updates

Thought I should do a catch up post since it's been awhile since I have updated the blog. I have managed to pack away most of the studio, after going through all of the material and tossing several garbage bags full of stuff. It was a good feeling knowing I will be moving with a lighter load. I still have the other five rooms to go through but they aren't quite the challenge my studio was. It is now a room full of boxes with one corner still reserved for any dyeing I have to do. I will pack that at the very end.


In the meantime I have found time to do a bit of stitching and planning although the jacobean bunny project ground to a halt. With the sewing machine not being set up anymore I will probably not work on it until we are moved. I did change my mind on the material I want to use with it. My wild sense of color took over with the embroidery and the piece I had intended to use just didn't seem suitable anymore. I chose this piece instead. It looks like I made it for it I think!


I finished up the blackwork cuffs and collar and think they turned out very well even though I didn't like that silk thread. I have since dyed some new thread to use with my new project. I hope the new doesn't want to snag like the other. I had to use shorter piece and change frequently to keep this piece looking good.


I worked for several evenings on this flower study, sketching pieces from the painting that I mentioned previously. I wanted to get the feel of the style. I found it very fantastical and that pleased me much. It was much looser and more free form than I expected and so I started my new piece with excitement.


My new design is very much based on period motifs. Although the placement and overall design is mine I made sure every form and shape is used in this period as well as the overall feel is in keeping with this period. I just didn't want to copy some piece from a museum or from a painting. After all I am sure people from that period didn't want the same thing as their neighbor either. They all wanted something new and different. I wanted to keep with the feel and look yet make it different enough that it could be considered an original piece.
Now I just need to get started on it. I have dyed two different weights of silk for it. I plan on doing the stems and outline of the flowers in the heavier silk and then do fill in black work patterns with the lighter thread. I don't want to venture into gold work or spangles yet. I want to get the techniques down with these two and then I will investigate what I need to do more elaborate work. My next piece after this will probably involve gradient colors which were often used in the 16th century also.
So that's what I have been up too besides looking at apartments non-stop. It looks like we should be able to find a decent place without too much effort. The prices seem reasonable there and lots of nice big places. Now just to hope I can find a place with a bathtub, a dishwasher connection AND nice big balcony or garden. *fingers crossed*
9 comments on "Project Updates"
  1. How exciting!!

    ...where to this time?

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  2. What a great idea to get inspired from historical patterns! Love your Jacobean stitching. And the embroiderers in 17th century were inspired by stuff from India and Cashemere... So we go back to the offspring.

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  3. Your jacobean bunny embroidery is exquisite! I love your designs and craftmanship!

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  4. How exciting! I didn't realize you were moving. Where are you moving to? Have missed talking to you on twitter.

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  5. Happy trails to you! And best wishes for a smooth move - not easy, these kinds of changes. Lovely to see all of your stitching...

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  6. Thanks everyone for the wonderful comments! It has been a very interesting subject to research and I plan on doing several pieces in this genre
    We are moving to Mulhouse in November. DH has a job in Switzerland and he will be commuting over the border.

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  7. Beautiful work Diane, glad it is going so well for you!

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  8. Thank you LIse, maybe I should dig this out and finish it some day huh? LOL

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