Patching and piecing

my 'patching and piecing' piece

texture of plain coloured fabrics

detail of hand stitching - running and blanket stitch

more hand stitching - trellis work with satin stitch and bullion knots

I have just completed a weekend with Ruth Issett called "Stitched Surfaces to Dye For" as part of the Embroiderers' Guild North East Region's spring school.

This sample is the first part, using a method called 'patching and piecing' where different types of natural fabrics (not wool) are machined together in strips of various widths.  After the first stage is complete, the assembled fabrics are cut into strips again in the opposite direction at right angles. The new strips, which now show a series of squares of fabric, are assembled onto a backing fabric and constructed again using 'fancy' machine stitching.  Afterwards, other additional embellishments and hand stitching are added, and then the dyeing process begins . . . to follow . . . 

machine embroidered fringing

machine embroidered fringing - experimental!

Experimenting and making fringing using my Bernina sewing machine primarily for City & Guilds teaching.  I used natural fabrics, and natural colours including silk, calico and organza.  Techniques include fraying, free style machine embroidery, and wrapped cords.  I loved experimenting, and still have more ideas.

The other thing I should have said about my 'machine fringes' is that, I always seem to insist on working with white, off white, natural, etc. - and therefore - really difficult to photograph, with a lot of editing in Photoshop!