Day 2 / 3....

8th March 2016

The days are flying by......

.....learning so much about transfer dyeing, machine embroidery, stencilling and repeat pattern stencilling and learning so much from the rest of the group!

I borrowed Anne's stencil for a poppies embroidery....

....stencilled with fabric paint onto pure cotton and another on calico....

.....ready for hand stitching, I have started but it is taking a while!

Transfer dyed fabrics for taking home to machine stitch, I have layered a printed sheer over a printed cotton background, rather like the muted effect.....

....background papers on the right, results on the left and cut out flowers to place on fabrics....

....ready for stitching, again layered sheer on cotton with flowers printed on the sheer.

Learned to do Drizzle Stitch for the centre of flowers.

Gerry has been very productive using synthetic fabrics and making flowers for a garland but these would also make lovely brooches and hair accessories.....

.....circles cut and pinned...

.....the edges are curled over a candle flame....

.....flower assembled and waiting to have beads stitched in the centre!

Anne demonstrating making a 'new fabric' using snippets of synthetic fabrics (bits left from flowers)...

.....sprinkled with a powder glue....

.....a hot iron on baking parchment....

.....repeat...

....a good size piece of fabric....

.....organza pinned over the top ready for free machining!

I mentioned they were a talented group of ladies who are willing to share ideas and techniques learned on courses and through experimenting....

....Daphne shared this idea which she had done on a course with Lorraine Hodge a few years ago and I am definitely going to give it a try!

Black nylon chiffon has Bondaweb applied, then a layer of fresh leaves/flowers are placed on the fabric which is then covered with another piece of black chiffon and ironed to seal. The fabric can then be stitched and as it is quite firm makes a good book cover. 

When I get home I will make a small sample for my sketch book and photograph each step.

Off to the Eden Project today......