Embroidered Flowers

 Recently, I had the opportunity to to do a workshop with Jennie -Maree Tempest a textile artist that specialises in machine embroidered flowers.

The sculptural forms are created in pieces and then assembled. Jenni - maree carefully examines and  pulls apart the real flowers to create lifelike creations,

Lots of sampling to learn the basics

My first attempts. Daisy, Flannel Flower, Lavender and a Calistemon or Bottle Brush flower. 

A great workshop and I will be making more of these flowers.

A Bit of Stitching

A few pieces of stitching. 

I enjoy stitching a coastal scene , I often use a wash of watercolour or acrylic to paint the scene and then use embroidery to add texture and detail.

Free Machine Embroidery used to build up layers of colour

I love the combination of hand and machine stitch and will use machine stitch to create a textured background.

Layers of fabric collage and machine embroidery 

Monstera

This is a series of three machine embroideries of Monstera. The stitching was done over a linocut print. When I do a print I do lots and often onto fabric as well as different papers. As part of my commitment to using up my stash of stuff I decided to make the fabric prints into embroideries.

Each of the embroideries used different thread colours and a combination of regular sewing threads in both cotton and polyester and quilting cotton.

The original print on fabric

I sew the fabric print onto heavy bag lining/pelmet vilene.

Mounted and framed they make a good gift.

Detail showing the heavy machine stitch. For this one I used up a variety of different green threads.

The Art of The Frock

The Art of The Frock is the title of a class that I was in at the Fibre Arts Winter School. This class was taken by Sue Dove, a tutor that I have had the pleasure of working with twice before and thoroughly enjoyed again. A mixed media approach that could be applied to any theme, although, I chose to (mostly) stick to the frock theme. It was a fabulous week away.

This Frock is a flat wall piece constructed from card, collaged papers, pastel, mono printed teabags, fabric and free machine stitch.

 Detail of the Frock.

We began by creating a collection of papers made with paper/magazines and pastels. These are abstract.

Then we were challenged to create a picture in a monochromatic palette. 

These are some of the collaged frocks made using the papers I constructed, collage  and free machine stitch.

The pages were made into a little book

With a wrap around cover.

Then a few of these bird postcards were made

And a little bird

This doll was started

As well as continuing the theme by attaching flowers to this dress. A much loved and in need of repair dress. 

The stylised flowers are large enough to cover the small holes that have appeared,  attached with loose back stitch



Sue and me.

Some of Sue’s work, so much to look at and be inspired by.

A little stitch and collaged picture of flowers in a pot.

And because no post about Fibre Arts in Ballarat is complete without a picture of the fabulous Lake Wendouree