Category: Textiles

Kansas Troubles

I like scrappy quilts, especially the ones with small pieces and many different prints. But getting organised so that you have a good mixture of prints, well spread out, and still maintain a pattern puts me off.

So when I heard about the idea of using a printed paper to simplify the process, I thought I’d give it a go.

You take two layer cake squares (10″), put them right sides together, add a “cake recipe” paper on the top, and then sew round ne set of lines, and cut on the other. That gave 16 small half square triangles and 1 large half square triangle, with a bit left over, in case you want any plain squares. Or in case you are like me and manage to lose one of the small squares.

I’m very pleased with the result, but sewing the papers and cutting them apart was a very dull task. Normally while you are doing patchwork, there is the pleasure of looking at all the fabrics. I was just looking at the grey paper all that time. But you can’t have everything, and it is certainly an easy way of keeping everything accurate, and keeping track of the numbers.

I used 3 layer cakes, made 42 blocks, and joined the rest together to make the backing. The backing was large enough for me to turn the edge over and use as a binding. The border is a little wobbly, but it is from the automatic patterns on my sewing machine, so I can’t use the walking foot, so it is difficult to control.

My map quilt

For many years, I’ve been thinking about doing a block of the month project. There are usually a good selection available, but I never took the plunge. Sometimes there was a nagging idea that I could work something similar out for myself, and I would like it more. Usually I know that, although I really like the result, I won’t enjoy the technique.

Then in 2020, I started two block of the month projects.

This map of the UK has far too much applique in it for me, but I decided that the result would be worth it, and I went for it. To start off with, I kept up with it reasonably well, but then I got to the point where the next job was to embroider all the counmty names. I hadn’t decided what landmarks I wanted to include, so I was worried that I might find I’d written somewhere I wanted a picture.

The map was divided into regions, so the counties could be assembled in manageable units. That worked fine, and I made good progress. The problem came when I put the when country together. Somehow, there is a problem in the middle, so Yorkshire and Lincolnshire overlapped, and the Humber didn’t exist. Eventually, I managed to fix that, and the county boundaries are slightly wider here and there to cover the gaps.

I’m quite pleased with the way it has turned out:

My chess board project

You know how one thing leads to another?

Our first “outside speaker” at the East Yorkshire Embroidery Society when we ventured onto zoom was Elizabeth Almond, who talked to us about blackwork. I told her that years ago, I made a sampler of the UK, by tracing a map of suitable size from my school atlas, and sellotaping a piece of graph paper behind it to make a chart. She said “I do encourage you to have another go. There is such a lot you can do.”

Yes, right. Along with all the other textile things I’m going to do when I have a moment…

But then I saw a picture of a clock on Pinterest. It was quite nice, but I was sure with a bit of thought I could do something I liked more. Cue more “research” time, looking at books and Pinterest, mostly adding to the list of what I’m going to do when I have time rather than refining my clock design. Blackwork chess boards came up a lot, which is no surprise. A chessboard gives lots of nice even shapes ready to be filled in, so they are a good excuse for blackwork.

I was going to make a chess board years ago. My ex was a keen chess player (North Yorkshire Police champion for many years, no less), and he thought it was a brilliant idea. But we couldn’t work out where to put it, as the only sensible place for it was occupied by his beautiful wooden board. So I played other games instead.

Then it occurred to me that there is no reason why I couldn’t get back to that idea. Then my eye was caught by the Lewis queen who sits next to my screen. So I spent my Christmas present money on a Lewis chess set, and made a board to fit them. 

Here is the result:

I’m now working on a blackwork solitaire board to go on the other side. I’m, planning to play on that using the pawns.

The National Garment Cutter Book of Diagrams: fabulous patterns from 1888

Many years ago, I needed to make myself a costume involving a bustle. I had plenty of pictures of the real thing, but couldn’t find any clues about how to start the construction. This book from 1888 was just what I needed. It has all the patterns you need to recreate an entire wardrobe.

Not that I need things like that any more. But it doesn’t stop me from having a good look!

The colourful chemistry of artificial dyes

Detail of fringing and sleeve on a purple dress dyed with Perkin's mauveine dye c.1862

My first post of 2021 is to pass on an interesting article about the history of dyes.

There are some fabulous pictures in this post.

As usual, my favourites are the sample cards showing the range of colours.

But as you would expect from the Science Museum, there are also lots of interesting facts to read.

Roubaix – a textile town

Now, here is an idea for a trip when we get back to normal.

Perhaps next summer, or the one after that.

Roubaix was famous for its textiles from 18th century onwards. These days it is a suburb of Lille, which must make it possible via Eurostar.

I’ve been on Eurostar a few times, and driven through Lille as well, and thought it looked an interesting place. May be that is what I shgould do with my stash of euros.

Read more about Roubaix here.

Peacock

I have finally finished my peacock fire screen. He isn’t quite as I had planned, but then I didn’t think it through properly before I started.

The feathers are sewn to a backing piece of felt, because they tended to move sideways, and to swivel in their sockets. That piece is braced with dowelling and covered with another piece of felt, to keep it tidy.

His name is Pugin, and he has featured in the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading’s blog post, Crafty Editors.

You wouldn’t believe how many people have asked me why I don’t call him Penelope. Because he is a peacock. Ah!

The mystery of Gunnister Man

Here is an interesting post about Gunnister Man, a discovery in Shetland in 1951. There is an article to read and a half hour discussion to listen to as well. It is interesting to find out how much you can discover from one set of clothes.

Make your own Bayeux tapestry

I have found a new game. Making Bayeux tapestry drawings. This is my first attempt.

I feel I have to direct you to the My Modern Met site, as they brought it to my attention, and have gone to the trouble of writing an intelligent article about it. Although they don’t mention that it is the work of English embroiderers, and isn’t a tapestry at all.

But you can just go to the drawing gizmo itself.

There are two fonts to choose from, and a range of characters, buildings and beasts to fill up your picture. The window on the left of the screen has a menu along the top to select a group of pictures you can add. Move through the menu by clicking on the words in the horizontal list at the top of the window, then click to add whatever you need to the picture. Don’t forget to scroll down to the tools. There are some brushes that add crowds, with spacing varied by the speed you move your mouse.  You can then adjust the individual elements to fit whatever you need.

Hours of fun.

 

Inspired by the Baldishol

Baldishol_WebBanner.jpegThe Baldishol tapestry is the oldest in Norway, and one of the oldest in Europe. It was found in the 17th century church at Baldishol in Nes, demolished in 1879. It was discovered balled up and covered in clay, under a footrest used by the bellringer. The handy bit of old cloth had been used to stop the draught from the old floor. As you can see, it cleaned up nicely to show part of a calendar. The fragment shows April and May.

This fabulous piece has been used as the theme for an exhibition currently being held at Norway House, Minneapolis. Fortunately, there is a virtual tour, which might well let you get closer to the exhibits than if you were actually there. It is really hard to choose a favourite piece.

But then, it is quite hard to choose a favourite piece of the original.