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Category: Stitching

Stitching progress

Stitching progress

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My post this month is – surprise – more stitching on my jacket. Last time I was unsure of what pattern or design to stitch on the side panels at the back of the jacket. I did think about a group of straight lines in a vague fan shape for these panels, but I wanted something that would be a little more challenging for me to do, and also, would be interesting to look at.

I saw a design that I liked very much from ‘The Green Wrapper’ on her Youtube channel – I have mentioned her work previously. I changed the pattern slightly and worked it on a 2.5cm grid, and then used a 5cm diameter circle, in a pattern, so that each circle interlocks with it’s neighbour. This interlocking of circles provides the final pattern.

         

I drew the grid, and circles with a Frixion pen; some circles are misplaced, and are clearly visible, but I did not risk removing them with the iron, for fear of removing too much of the correct marking, and having to repeat it all again. Luckily, I could clearly see the path of the pattern, and I added extra pen marks to assist. To draw the circles I used a small sherry glass, it was a touch under 5 cm diameter, but also just perfect! The two photos below show where I have made mistakes.

                

The next decision was to decide to use just one colour thread, or many colours. I went with the latter, and I did not think too much about the direction of each colour in the stitching. I used stranded embroidery floss, and a little wax to help ease it through the fabric.

Initially, I planned the pattern up to the armscye, but halfway through the stitching I decided to extend it up to the yoke. I do think it looks better having the pattern fill the space of the panel. The stitching is almost complete on this side, and I have removed the pen marks on the lower half of the panel with the iron, so that the pattern is more easily visible. The colours are not as bright in the photos as they are in real life, but I hope that you can see the pattern fairly well.

                                 

Now to decide what to put on to the other side panel, whether to do the same one, or find a different design.

Blue and green felt background with silk paper birch trees stitched to felt and machine stitched branches with dark grey thread.
New Landscapes

New Landscapes

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I started a couple of small landscapes this past week using pieces of nuno felt for the backgrounds but using the wool side instead of the silk side. I thought the “backs” were more reminiscent of forest than the silk side.

I already had some of the “birch” silk paper that I made several years ago so I used it for making trunks. Here’s my inital layouts for the two pieces. They are both about 5″ x 11″.

I then stitched the trunks down with 30 weight cotton machine thread in a very light grey. You might have noticed that I added a few more tree trunks to the right photo as it seemed a bit bare.

Blue and green felt background with silk paper birch trees stitched to felt and machine stitched branches with dark grey thread.

Then off to the machine to stitch the branches with free motion machine stitching. I only got one of the pieces machine stitched as I got tired with machine stitching. I am out of practice, I guess. Now what to do for the leaves? I could hand stitch, or use some type of applique.

It could be like ‘Thick with Green’ where I used cheesecloth for leaves.

Or perhaps more like ‘The First Leaf’ with green leaves instead of yellow. Or I could hand stitch the leaves? What do you think?

Thanks Carlene for providing me inspiration to create more birch trees!

Progress on my denim jacket

Progress on my denim jacket

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My Studio post this month is about the stitching progress on my denim jacket. Last time, I had made a start on the centre back panel with a grid pattern. The colour of the thread is a muted green, similar to a sage green colour, I like it a lot. The thread I have used is DMC coton a broder, so, not a stranded embroidery floss, and the whole thread is used. My stitching is in the style of sashiko, but I do not regard my efforts as sashiko.

I do not have any sashiko thread, which I think is a little thicker than the coton a broder. I wanted to use materials that I have without having to buy anything new – my jacket being a (bargain) charity shop buy, and it’s pale blue colour does suit the muted colours of my thread. I may buy some proper sashiko thread in the future though.

Marking the grid.

I did buy 2 pieces of a ‘Solvy’ pattern paper sometime ago to try out – curiosity really, and I had seen some people use it on IG. The idea is to stick the paper to the item you wish to enhance or mend, stitch the pattern and then soak the item in water to dissolve it. However, I found it very difficult to stitch through (on denim), I found it was only possible to do one stitch at a time, as opposed to taking several bites of fabric without the solvy. It is definitely not the easy solution as described by IG or YouTube people. I used one piece, and extended the pattern on the rest of the back panel using a ruler and a Frixion pen. The first photo shows the Solvy paper in place as I mark my pattern, and a partial pattern completed due to sore fingers.

These two photos showing progress and the grid.

A YouTube channel, for such stitching that I like very much, is called ‘The Green Wrapper’; the presenter demonstrates on small squares of fabric, mostly a 10cm square, or a 20 cm square; text on the screen describes, and gives instructions to achieve the sashiko design. Sometimes she uses items of clothing to stitch on. I have followed her instructions, and they are really clear.

I drew some circles, some interlocking, using two different sizes of a drinking glass. I then drew the grid using 0.5 cm lines with the frixion pen, and followed the channel directions, and pausing the channel several times until it was stuck in my head! It is amazing that such seemingly complicated patterns can be made using a simple grid, and basically a running stitch. I used two other colours of thread (ran out of the green)

 

I remain undecided about what to stitch on the side panels; I have drawn a fan shape of lines radiating from the bottom upwards, but I will wait a while before committing with needle and thread.

I love how my jacket looks. I have worn it out a few times, and friends have been complimentary about it. I will do some thinking about the front of the jacket too, and will write more about it for next time.

Some of my photos remain large, I am sorry about this, but I did manage to make two of them a little smaller – hope for me yet!!!

 

Learning and Experimentation with Online Classes

Learning and Experimentation with Online Classes

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Have you wanted to be a little more experimental in your fiber art practice? Do you want to learn new techniques and add embellishments to felt or other fabric? Why not try an online class all about embellishing felt? Anyone from anywhere in the world can take these courses, no need to show up at a certain time (you can even wear your pajamas) and the classes are 6 weeks long so you have plenty of time to learn a new technique and try out an experimental approach. My online courses are 4 stand alone classes under the title Embellishing Felt with Surface Design Techniques – A Mixed Media Approach.  You can take just one or work through all of them. The classes are only $45 US for 4 weeks of video and written PDF’s plus 2 weeks extra time on the class website with full instructor support. Registration is now open and the class begins on May 16, 2025.

The first module is called Nuno Felting with Paper Fabric Lamination. The bark I created above used this technique.

You will learn the technique of Paper Fabric Lamination and then how to use these pieces in nuno felting. As you can see from the examples above, there are many possibilities with this technique. Click here for more information and to register for the class.

The second module is Experimental Screen Printing on Felt.

You will also be able to use these techniques to screen print fabric such as silk to use in nuno felting. These same techniques can also be used on cotton fabric to use in fabric collage or quilting.

You will learn how to create thickened dye, make your own screens and many ways to use these screens in an experimental approach. Click here for more information about Screen Printing and to register for this class. 

The third module in Embellishing Felt with Surface Design Techniques – A Mixed Media Approach is Printing, Stenciling, and Playing with Thickened Dye on Felt.

This one is really fun and experimental. Learn to make stamps, stencils and how to use a variety of objects from around the house to create your own unique surface design on felt. Develop your own style with designs you have created.

The techniques you learn in this class can be used for felt, other fabric types and even paper. The stamps and stencils can be re-used over and over and applied in different ways to create exciting patterns. Click here for more information about Print, Stencil, and Play with Thickened Dye on Felt and to register for the class.

The last module in the series is Free Motion Machine Stitching on Felt.

In this course, you will learn the basics of free motion machine stitching and how to use this specifically on felted projects. Does the thought of machine stitching seem a bit scary? If so, you should take this course to get a handle on how to use your sewing machine to create wonderful embellishments on felt paintings or other felted items.

We’ll start with how to set up the machine and some great practice techniques that will build your skill level until you feel comfortable with your machine. Then you’ll learn about machine lace, thread sketching and how to incorporate machine stitching into felt paintings. Click here for more about Free Motion Machine Stitching on Felt and to register for the class.

I hope you want to expand your fiber art skills. If so, click on any of the links above to read more about the classes, see the supply lists and to register. I look forward to “seeing” you in class!

And don’t forget, if you are a beginner, our online class Wet Felting for Beginners is always available.

This class teaches you all about wet felting. You’ll learn how to make a piece of felt, how shrinkage works and how to calculate it and the basics of felting, fulling and creating felt from wool fiber. Click here for more information and to sign up. 

 

 

 

A less ordinary denim jacket, and a finish.

A less ordinary denim jacket, and a finish.

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Until recently, a denim jacket has not featured in my wardrobe, but one is never too old for a style change! I spotted a denim jacket in my local charity shop, it felt like a good quality cotton, and in a nice muted shade of blue. It was a good fit, so that was a bonus, and it came home with me.

I had been adding stitching to my patched jeans for some time, and I wanted to try some stitching or embroidery on a jacket, but without the jacket costing a lot of money. I like the effect of the stitching on my jeans. They are my gardening/diy/decorating jeans really, but they also look rather nice when washed. There are a few different fabric patches used in the photograph of one leg below, and in the other jean leg – no photo. The jeans (in photo) are just washed – the stitched area looks very rouched, but is flat when ironed. So, these jeans have quite a bit of life left in them, and the stitching will add strength to the patches and the cotton fabric.

I drew a grid type pattern on the back panel of my jacket at an angle, and a smaller portion of the pattern on the lower part of the panel. I have stitched both of these in a sashiko style of sewing, but it is not sashiko. I have used coton a broder embroidery thread; the whole thread is used – it is a single strand, and it behaves very well. The shade is a a muted green, and I like it very much

I used a water soluble fabric with a design on to aid me with placement of the grid. There are lots of online sellers offering these designs to make repairs and patching of garments more attractive. I had two pieces with different designs on them, and my simplified change to this one worked well for me. The water soluble material dissolves easily, but needs a couple of rinses to clear properly. It is not as easy to stitch through as some of the blurb portrays it to be. Drawing on the fabric with a heat erasable pen is good, but care is needed with any graph/lines or design, and it is easier to pass the needle through to make several stitches, than it is on the printed design.

I will add more stitching over the next few forum posts, and probably more colour too.

I do like adding stitching as a decorative effect, this photo below is from on a forum post in 2022.

My blanket is now complete too. I have added  a backing of french terry fabric, it is very soft to touch now. The youngest grandchild said it was a bit scratchy, so I decided to add the backing. I did not wish to cover the lovely blanket stitch along the blanket edge; I had to fold under an edge and sew it down using the sewing machine. I think it turned out ok – even the corners – they were more tricky than I imagined.

I used some embroidery floss with a stitch to tie both together. I am hoping that these ties will escape from searching little fingers.

Completed nuno felted landscape with applique and hand stitch on dark gray background.
Grove of Trees – Part Five

Grove of Trees – Part Five

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My grove nunofelt landscape is finally complete. I added a bit of ‘grass’ in the foreground to balance all the lines at the top from the stitched branches.

Completed nuno felted landscape with applique and hand stitch.

I didn’t think that it needed a lot, but just some suggestion of the higher grasses. I also stitched down the loose edges around the entire piece. Now to move forward on getting it ready to frame.

Completed nuno felted landscape with applique and hand stitch on tan background.

I didn’t have a lot of fabric to audition to see how the background matte would look. This is on a piece of tan fabric. To my eye, it is too close in value to the piece itself and doesn’t match with the colors.

Completed nuno felted landscape with applique and hand stitch on medium gray background.

Then trying on medium gray. This is slightly darker in value but still feels very similar to the values in the piece. It doesn’t do it for me.

Completed nuno felted landscape with applique and hand stitch on dark gray background.

Next up is a dark grey background. The darker value is definitely better and brings out the light in the piece. I could use this color, it’s okay.

Completed nuno felted landscape with applique and hand stitch on dark red background.

Then I found a piece of dark red maroon/burgundy colored silk fabric. I won’t use the silk for the background but it was in the color scheme so I thought I would try it. The value is good again, making the light from the back of the piece feel more prominent. The color seems to work pretty well.

What do you think? Would you use a different background fabric color? Or do you like one of the ones I tried?

I’m thinking of naming this one “Golden Grove”. Any other name ideas?

Nuno felt tree landscape with grey, peach and red and dark maroon threads couched down for branches.
Grove of Trees – Part Four

Grove of Trees – Part Four

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I have been working slowly on my grove of trees landscape. I finished stitching down all the trunks and foreground fabrics.

Nuno felt landscape of a grove of trees, all applique stitched down.

So here’s a photo with it all stitched in place. Next up was adding a bunch of branches and I wanted to see how I could do that.

I took a piece of clear plastic and used paint pens on the plastic to look at various color choices. The photo on the left shows white paint pen and the one on the right shows using grey, peach and brown paint pens. The white definitely felt too stark. So I thought I would use a mixture of colors.

Wool threads choices for branches.

I looked through my stash to see what colors I had that might work. I decided to use wool thread as I wanted the branches to not stand out too much. I thought adding “shiny” cotton thread wouldn’t work well.

Nuno felt tree landscape with grey thread couched down for branches.

So I started with grey thread and this photo doesn’t really show the true colors of the thread. I used the grey on the grey trunks in the background.

Nuno felt tree landscape with grey and peach threads couched down for branches.

Then on to adding peach branches to the peach tree trunks.  I couched the threads down using the same thread for the couching stitches.

Nuno felt tree landscape with grey and peach thread couched down for branches. Auditioning dark red and pink thread for further branches.

Then I needed to decide if I was going to keep going with light colored threads or add some darker branches. I tried a piece of pink thread by laying it down on the right and then a dark maroon thread in the center. I decided the darker branches would work the best. As the light in this piece is coming from the back right, the lighter branches give that feeling of light shining on them. The foreground branches would be darker with less light shining on them.

Nuno felt tree landscape with grey, peach and red threads couched down for branches.

So I added a medium value red thread for the three red trees to the right side. Again, all the branches were couched down.

Nuno felt tree landscape with grey, peach and red and dark maroon threads couched down for branches.

Then I added in the maroon threads for the darker trees on the left side.  I also turned the silk that was loose on the top under to the back. I will hand stitch all of the loose silk around the edge down to the back. The piece is now hanging on the design wall. I think I will add some peach “grass” in the foreground just as I have couched down the threads for the branches. But I am letting it sit for a bit so I can see if it needs anything else. What do you think?

Completion.

Completion.

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I had a viral illness all over the Christmas period, or perhaps, a severe bout of ‘man flu’! I really only began to feel better mid January. Mostly, sneezing, runny nose and, tired all the time with little energy for anything, and that included any productive thinking about my blanket and this post.

I eventually managed to heave myself out of the doldrums, and I began to think about what I needed to complete the stitching design on the blanket top. There are quite a few small areas that are a little threadbare, and some areas that have provided comfort for the odd moth or two as well. So, a plan was needed to cover as many of the holes as I could, while adding to the overall decorative effect at the same time.

I found an old woollen tea cosy on one of my charity shop trips, and this had some areas that were embroidered with a pretty floral design. Some areas had a little moth damage, and the wool embroidery area was really pretty, but was very grubby. I washed the tea cosy by hand in very cool water with a little liquid soap and some washing soda, with very gentle movement in the bowl. Following a little soak it was much brighter – same colour as my blanket! I was unsure how fast the dye of the embroidery wool would be, but it was ok, and only a very little dye run was visible.

I cut out the embroidered areas of the tea cosy, two large, and three smaller, and positioned them in place on the blanket, and moved them about until I was happy with the overall look. They were stitched down with a blanket stitch, and most of the threadbare areas of my blanket were covered.

Then I embroidered some random groupings of flowers in other areas on the blanket using different colours of floss. These were done in a lazy daisy stitch. I added french knots, or a satin stitch to the centre of the flowers. The floss I used is quite old, and it did not always agree with french knot making! Then I added some green stems using fly stitch.

I think the whole effect is quite pretty, and the overall effect of the felt and stitched corners works very well with the embroidery. I think I can call it done now, but I still need to put a backing on it to cover the workings on the reverse.

My photos are awfully large still, I have tried to make them smaller, so apologies.

Grove of Trees – Part Three

Grove of Trees – Part Three

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Slow progress is happening on my new nuno felt landscape. Again, it’s the find the difference in the photos challenge 😉

I had laid out the background trees at the end of my last post. Now I have stitched them down. I haven’t stitched the more foreground trees down yet because I need to work on the forest floor section at the front.

I wanted to play with some shapes of fallen trees on the forest floor. I had some cheesecloth scraps that worked with the colors so far. I added some shadows on the larger fallen tree.

Here I have added more shadows to the fallen tree. I am using another edge of nylon scarf in a dark red violet and a few scraps of blue violet silk organza.

Then I needed to figure out what to do with the rest of the foreground. Here I have added one layer of orange nylon scarf over the top of the fallen logs. Hmmm…

I changed from one big piece of orange nylon scarf and had multiple strips across with fringed edges. I realize you can’t see it very well in the photo. I put the fallen logs on top this time. Hmmm… still needs something. Aha! My usual suspect, it needs value changes.

Here I have added some darker red violet pieces of scarf amongst the orange. I think you will be able to see the changes more easily in the next photo.

Here it is with more of the darker red violet interspersed among the orange. That gives more contrast, so looking better.

I added the fallen logs back into the foreground and another tree. I am planning on adding more trees but now I need to get some of this stuff sewn down. I hope you aren’t getting tired of this project, still a ways to go yet.

Nuno felted landscape background with fabrics added for background horizon and tree shapes.
Grove of Trees – Part Two

Grove of Trees – Part Two

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I’m working on my grove of trees nuno landscape slowly. I think that some of you may think that this is a “find the difference” in the photos as they look pretty similar. But this is how I work, I add something, take a photo, look at the photo to see if it works, then add something else etc. That means there may be only one small difference from photo to photo, maybe I took something off, maybe I added something.

Nuno felted landscape background with fabrics added for background horizon and tree shapes.

I had the background “horizon” and the large dark tree on the left when I left off. Now to add more trees. There are three little lines added on. These are the folded edges/hems of the nylon scarves I use to add layers of color. I usually just cut them off and don’t use them but I thought they might work for background trees. I tried maroon, yellow and orange. Not exactly what I wanted.

Nuno felted landscape background with fabrics added for background horizon and tree shapes.

Then I added a mid tone grey one. I liked that better as it pushed the line further into the distance.

Nuno felted landscape background with fabrics added for background horizon and tree shapes.

I added more mid tone grey trunks and moved the orange one closer to the “sun”. That looked better.

Nuno felted landscape background with fabrics added for background horizon and tree shapes.

The I added a few more orange ones keeping them on the right hand side where the light is coming in.

Nuno felted landscape background with fabrics added for background horizon and tree shapes.

I wanted to use more of the silk organza for a few more bigger trunks in the mid ground to foreground.

Nuno felted landscape background with fabrics added for background horizon and tree shapes.

And a couple more smaller ones in the same deep red color. I was happy with how it was coming along.

Nuno felted landscape background with fabrics added for background horizon and tree shapes.

Here I have added a few white “branches” to see what that would look like. I am inspired by Wolf Kahn’s tree paintings and was looking at several that showed white marks to denote branches like in this painting. I would need a lot more of the white lines to give the same effect. I will be pondering on that idea a while yet.

Nuno felted landscape background with fabrics added for background horizon and tree shapes.

I decided I didn’t want to add too many layers without starting to stitch down the under layers. So I stitched the darker “horizon” background down to the nuno felt. Now I need to stitch the skinny trees down. I still need to figure out the foreground and there will be more layers of fabric on the larger trees. Still a long way to go. But I’m happy with my progress.