An alternative to trellis work . . .

Straight stitch - working with the twill weave of the fabric

Whenever I have any time, when not teaching, I try to return to this crewel work piece.  I am still playing around with a few ideas, including working with the twill weave of the fabric.  

Experimenting with trellis work . . .

Experimenting with Colour

So far . . .

Trellis work ideas

Working on some ideas for this crewel work design.  Still sampling colour, and different approaches to trellis work. 

Framing up and preparation . . .

Framing up on a mini slate frame

Love this frame!

Design transfer onto a blue indigo twill furnishing fabric using a silver gel pen

Design number one

Design number two

I did plan to work these two designs separately, and on plain natural coloured linen, however, I found this fabric in a furnishing fabric shop in Benton in Newcastle upon Tyne (north east England) - Absolutely Fabrics, and thought - Yes - I will try this instead!

I also had to hand, this lovely hand-crafted mini slate-frame - used, but ideal for my next project.

Now ready to start . . . when I have time . . .

Colour for crewel work . . .

These are my proposed colours for my crewel work designs.  I will not use all of them, probably 4-5 for each design, which I am still deciding, or will probably just let it evolve.

The colours are - 724, 933, 185, 303, 313, 293, 643, 156, 325, 967 - Appletons crewel wool.

Crewel work - new designs - new project . . .

I present to you - two new-ish designs for crewel work embroidery, based on traditional Jacobean design, which I had planned to work earlier this year, however due to work commitments, teaching, and life generally, it took a little while to find the right time to start, but now I am ready!!!  

It may take a little while to progress through as I have other on-going work, but I will do my best to keep on top of it all.

I will work through the designs with different ideas based on stitch and detail, and I am happy that anyone uses the designs too.  The designs are roughly, 5 inches square or 12-13 cm square.

Enjoy, if you are following!  

Please tag in my name if you use social media - #tracyafranklin - THANK YOU!

Rust dyeing - preparation, results, and assembling . . .

Rust dyeing with wire wool on linen

Rust dyeing with wire wool on linen- detail

Rust dyeing with wire wool on cotton organdie

Drawn thread work on linen, preparation for rust dyeing

Drawn thread work on linen, preparation for rust dyeing - detail of weaving 

Rust dyeing results - assembled

Rust dyeing results - assembled - detail showing gathering, fraying, and lace

Rust Dyeing . . .

Recently, I went on a weekend workshop of Rust Dyeing with Alice Fox . . . 

Box of rusty split pins

My board of rusty wrapped specimens

Thread wrapped round rusty split pins, and dipped in tea to help the rust dyeing process

After the rust dyeing process, I start to assemble my dyed pieces

Rust dyeing involves, natural fabrics, threads and fibres, rusty objects, and tea used to create marks on fabrics and thread, which can be used in embroidery and textile art.