New crewel work project . . .

Designed by Nicola Jarvis

Long and short shading with crewel wool

A new project - I have been commissioned by Nicola Jarvis to work her crewel work design.  More details later . . .

further development on the Lindisfarne Gospels

showing my technique ideas

open shading with silk thread, and running stitch

I have now started embroidering my printed calico of a design from the Lindisfarne Gospels.  My aim is to make it look as authentic as possible, using traditional stitch techniques and adding my own personal ideas.

Lindisfarne Gospels workshop

a montage of students work

I taught a workshop at Burnbrae just north of Kelso in the Scottish Borders, testing my ideas on my students.

We worked on a combination of ideas including gold work couching and or nué, running stitch, applying gold kid leather, Pearl purl outlining and silk shading.

Lindisfarne Gospels

Lindisfarne Gospel - St Matthew carpet

detail

The beginning of this project.  The Lindisfarne Gospels are coming to Durham next year (2013), and the North East Region of the Embroiderers' Guild are working on ideas to celebrate the gospels coming back to the north.

So far I have ink-jet printed onto calico which is fixed with Bondaweb onto more calico.

I now have lots of projects on the go.  Still nice to busy . . .

Crown continued . . .

crown update

detail

At last . . . more on the crown.  Now part worked in an exhibition entitled - 'Drawn to Stitch' at UCMK Galleries, University Centre Milton Keynes, 200 Silbury Boulevard, MK9 1LT.  The exhibition runs from 11th October to 9th November 2012.

The crown itself is mainly couching incorporating scoobies, plastic beads I bought from IKEA which I have cut in half both length ways and width ways, and elastic bands worked on linen.  It was really difficult couching the scoobies upright with such tight curls and curves, when they move constantly - but I love the result which is reminiscent of rouleaux decoration.  It has been so far a real learning process, but I fear I will run out of scoobies at some point . . .

black and white mark making . . .

black mono printed swirls

white acrylic mono printing on white organza fabric

The final bit of mono-printing with Alison King

mark making . . .

logo images with a gold whipped wheel, appliqué, seeding and a little couching

line

layered mono printing

I made these prints on a Alison King workshop through Hexham Embroiderers' Guild on a variety of plain fabrics and papers.  All are mono printed which involved acrylic paint and a laminated sheet.  Very easy and addictive because it is quick, once there is an understanding of the level of paint to use.  I plan to use some of them as backgrounds for future work.  This was all on the theme of Durham Cathedral, where I work as Head Broderer, and my logo which is a little like Saint Cuthbert's cross.