Corset creation

It's been a long time since I made clothes and even when I did they were quite basic, but recently Art a'Peel (the local textile group I'm a member of) challenged the members to create an artistic corset.  It was interesting to see each members approach to the theme - some did two dimensional designs which were framed, or on canvas, and others created actual corsets in varying sizes.
It's always inspiring to see how each person interprets a challenge.  For me I threw myself wholeheartedly into creating a full size corset with no idea at all what I was doing, as lining and boning were new techniques.  However, I have to admit once it was done I was quite thrilled with the end result.  It's good to push your boundaries and try something new - we never know what we're capable of until we try.

I started off with some Osnaburg fabric I'd previously rust dyed, as it had good strength but was soft and manageable, and lined it with Quilters Muslin.  The embroidery was hand stitched and on an evening sitting attaching the many sequins was quite relaxing.

The rings for the lacing are metal curtain rings, heated with a heat gun and dipped in embossing powder to coat them with a colour to match the sequins and embroidery.  It was fiddly but worked well and tied it all together (pardon the pun!).

My grandson asked me if it was for me, or a young person - I've learnt to smile sweetly and not take offence.

Pixie Shoes

Art A'peel's Christmas lunch was coming up early December and we were given the task of creating a "secret Santa" present.  The only stipulation was that it had to be in silver and white.

I immediately thought of the lovely pixie shoes designed by Annette Emms and published in the Stitch magazine, issue 70. I'd been wanting to make these for a long time and now seemed the perfect opportunity.

I dithered for about a week or more wondering how to make them "Christmassy", then found the two lovely snowflake embellishments and it all flowed from there on. 

So, with some silver dupion silk, white felt, silver and white beads, scraps of white net and the snowflakes I set about making them.  They only took a couple of days, with some therapeutic hours in the evening hand stitching the beads around the top to resemble snow, and voila they were done!

I loved making them, and was so pleased with the end result that I was a bit loathed to part with them, but I eventually did - with the vow that I will definitely be making some more in the future.

They measure about 12cm in length and about 4cm in height - or, if you're not very good on measurements, they fit in the palm of my hand.

Check out Annette Emms website and blog to see more of her lovely designs.  

Moving forward

The past twelve months have been a struggle.  In June I lost my best little friend, Bonnie.  As hard as it was to say goodbye I know how lucky I was to have her for so many years, as she was almost 17 years old.  She was a wonderful companion and filled my heart with joy, and I hope she is happy wherever she is.

On top of this I lost my beautiful mum in August, after watching her fight the battle of her life with cancer.  I can't find words to express the loss I feel.  She too was my best friend, as well as a confidante, doctor, critic, supporter, mum - and so much more.  There's a huge hole in our lives but I know we have to keep going.

So now I'm trying to climb out of the dark tunnel and find joy in things that make me happy again.  I have to give myself something to aim for, so I recently joined two textile groups.

Septembers meeting at ATASDA saw Lyn Brown displaying her art books which she is exhibiting in the eastern states shortly.  They were amazing, and came in all sizes. She'd certainly been busy.

As well as Lyn's display other members also showed their work.  Here's Dorothy Boxall with her blankets, naturally dyed using carob seeds and avocado.  I love the patterns created on them.

Wendy Burgess was a new member this week and brought along a wonderful display of her work, including this spectacular dragonfly.  This was only one of her many fabulous creations she shared with us.

Judith Harvey brought along her quilt which she'd recently exhibited.

Apart from Show-n-Tell and a discussion about the future of the group there was no stitching this month.

The following week I attended my first meeting with Art A'peel, a textile group in my local area, and I had a ball.  I got a lovely surprise when I discovered Lyn from ATASDA was also a member of this group, and was teaching us all how to make some of her book covers using Lutradur.

We all had a brilliant time painting our Lutradur, stitching into it, adding embellishments and then attaching it to felt to create the covers.  I've since ordered more Lutradur and hope to make many more.  Here's a few samples of everyone's work.

As well as painting and stitching we got to have a play on a big shot machine, embossing foil/tin panels for future work.

Then Lyn kindly showed us some more techniques, like how to emboss a plastic CD disk using embossing powders and a heat gun.  The finished pieces were so exciting and my mind was racing with how I could use this technique further down the track.  

We did have a good laugh when she produced what looked like an implement of torture but was in fact just an eyelet gun.

My mind was like a sponge soaking up all the new techniques and information, and I can say it was one of the most enjoyable days I've had for a long time.  I spent the following few days working on completing my book cover and here's the finished piece .....

... the only problem is I'm too scared to use it in case I  ruin it!!!

Play Days

In the past few days I decided to have a bit of play time with my embellisher.  I used a square embroidery frame to do some weaving with a ball of multicoloured wool I found in my cupboard.

Then I hammered it with the embellisher.  It blended together well - blurring the back, but not the front, and left me with a really strong fabric.  It needs something else though ... I think I might have a go at machine stitching over it.

Then I haven't got a clue what I'm going to do with it, but its getting me into the mood for experimental ideas.  In the meantime I've been sitting back tonight watching Sam Attwater in Dancing on Ice - he moves so beautifully.  Not sure if my hot flush was due to menopause or Sam in those sleek trousers.