Process

Sometimes when the process is the important part of the slow contemplative stitching it can lead to a product. 

I have simply enjoyed the stitching, the in and out ,the gentle pop as the thread is pulled through the fabric. The smoothing down of the stitched line and the thinking, fitting into a space, should I add more, have I added too much? are the rhythms of process and thoughts that come into and out of my mind. 

These are made with mindful and time consuming slow methods. I have ecodyed, rust stained, stitched , mended and handled fondly . The needle case on the right has a wee traveller appliqued onto the front. The 6 inspiration cards were rust printed cards stitched after ripping and yet to have a saying, statement or quote to inspire or motivate or affirm on them. The pouch at the back is to hold the cards safely inside and a scrappy ball made on a pairless sock.

Scrappy ball

Last week  I was rejected from joining an online Facebook group. I had mixed feelings firstly of disbelief, (  I thought everyone was accepted after answering the few simple questions)  moved through resentment and unworthiness to finally acceptance and humour with a touch of ‘just as well’,  I really don’t need another group to keep up with. Then I started thinking about why I needed validation from an external source. Why did I need to learn to make something that I was more than capable of doing, without the need for online tutoring, classes, guidance?  I can trust my own abilities and am confident to do so . But it was something more,  it’s the need to connect with like minded others, to be inspired by their work to see and interact in a safe setting.

So I made a fabulous scrappy ball . First I discovered a way to make a tight ball from a single old sock. Then using scraps of ecodyed cotton and silk I stitched with large overcast stitches in 6 strands of doc embroidery thread. Such a joy filled exercise. Might make more using up scraps of Christmas fabrics. 

Fleeting flashback

 This image reflects a memory from childhood. I found a wee mandarin segment when I was enjoying a piece of fruit. I could not bear to eat this ‘baby’ so made a bed from a matchbox and placed the tiny segment inside. I always loved playing with my dolls, watched creatures in the garden , the smaller the better. So caring for this little mandarin segment was part of the care.

The matchbox is lined with dyed teabag paper and I have added cotton pieces to embellish and imply a bed. The large mandarin segment is stuffed with scraps of fabric to be sustainable rather than use polyfill. It is 3d with the gusset at the back edge. Might stitch some lines of ‘pith’ onto it.

Felted Pudding

 At yesterday’s ATASDA meeting we had a textile taster of making a felted Christmas Pudding. Felted with brown and white merino wool onto a styrofoam ball. Then embellished with felted green leaves and small red holly berries. New Christmas ornament for Harriet’s tree. 

Have been challenged now to make  a pudding inspired by Norman Lindsay’s Magic Pudding . Not sure how easy the face would be?