Wednesday 10 July 2013

Still Learning: before and after the workshop.

As regular readers may know, I'm working towards an exhibition with the group I'm in. I've known about it for two years but of course am now rushing to get everything made and finished on time. Here's the latest.
 Its a little smaller than the last few things I've shown. My plan is to have 4pieces mounted on 20 inch square mounts, and four smaller mounted on 16 inch mounts.

 This piece of felt was a bit disappointing when it was just felt but I think the stitching has tied it together OK. I especially like the sun-like shape below.


Last Saturday I set off with all my wool and my friend Margaret, to a workshop run by the International Feltmakers Association in Frodsham. The teacher was Chris Lines. She traveled all the way from the Isle of Wight to be with us and her felt was superb. I remembered the above (as yet unstitched ) piece and felt I had a lot to learn!
And learn I did. Chris is a brilliant teacher and she was very generous with her techniques. We all thoroughly enjoyed the day. The company was great I met lots of new people, there was a lovely atmosphere and how lucky we were that the Frodsham Community Choir were making heavenly sounds in the next room.

So, when Monday came around I set to work and using some of the techniques I'd learned I produced five more pieces of felt for stitching. 


 I wish I could make felt for its own sake but I do love to add the stitching. The felt acts as a 'painted' background and the stitches give it added depth and bring out the texture. Much like quilting I suppose.

 This pale one was the first one I made and perhaps it needs quite a lot more stitching than the others as its so light, but using Chris's technique of complex layered pre felts I achieved the 'edges ' as the underneath layer of the pre-felt is squashed into the background piece.

 Back to stitching. Whats not to like? I like the doing it, I like the texture, I like the look of it , I like the feel of it and I love what it does to a piece of felt.
Number one of five..stitched.


 A darker picture


 Details


 More details


Sorry am I boring you with details?


 I laid it on a piece of calico  because thats the colour of the background it will be on.


 And so will this.


 Just another quick detail..

Sorry. 

I'm on a roll...I did two more today..my neck aches.
Such fun!

24 comments:

jinxxxygirl said...

Oh no need to be sorry. I LOVE the details. Thanks so much for sharing all those lovely pictures! Hugs! deb

Jeanette, Mistress of Longears said...

I agree about that great sun shape...and LOVE the pod-ish or leaf-ish shapes, too!

Jane S. said...

The stitching adds so much! Lovely pieces, those. :)

Unknown said...

And such gorgeous-ness!!! -sus

sharon young said...

These piece are just wonderful, they'll look superb in the exhibition

Janny de Roo said...

Your details are very important for me, I can learn from it.....thank you very much !

Heather said...

They are even more gorgeous than the others if that is possible. I love the soft irregular edges and all those beautiful colours and the little details when the stitching has been added. Keep them coming and have a neck and shoulder massage!

Gina said...

The felt is definitely better with the addition of your stitching. Gorgeous!

Iz said...

Absolutely stunning - I love them all, and no, you are not boring us! More! So much texture and detail, and the colours are wonderful - both pale and darker xx

crazydazy said...

I don't think you ever stop learning. The details aren't boring as I love to see your stitching close up....absolutely stunning, ali

Twiglet said...

I love all the detail so please carry on showing us! The pieces look good simply as felt but I agree the stitching takes them to another level. Your latest pieces are totally beautiful. x Jo

Terri said...

I agree, your stitching "makes" the piece. Very creative and beautiful.
Hugs

Rachel said...

Good to see the creative juices flowing when the deadline looms!

Els said...

Well, making felt can be quite addictive, and it's fun to have some purpose ....
Ha I recognize postponing things because you have eons of time before it hás to be finished .....
And then all of a sudden ... oops : hurry !!!!!!

I love the "tulipy" ones with the dark background best.

Wanda Maria said...

This turned out really nice! I love the texture!

Deborah Babin said...

I have been enjoying watching your work evolve from the individual leaves to compositions. I didn't realize you were hand stitching as well as machine. Could you please clarify your statement: Complex layered pre felts, achieved edges, as the underneath layer of pre-felt is squashed into the background.
What is a pre-felt?

Deborah Babin said...

I have been enjoying watching your work evolve from the individual leaves to compositions. I didn't realize you were hand stitching as well as machine. Could you please clarify your statement: Complex layered pre felts, achieved edges, as the underneath layer of pre-felt is squashed into the background.
What is a pre-felt?

Maggi said...

Please don't apologise for all the details, it is lovely to see them. I can see shells and seaweed in the first piece.

Carol said...

Just great, Jackie... I think you are amazing!

Erica said...

Your enthusiasm and the joy you are finding in your work is delightful Jackie. I can never see too much of your art.

Val Edwards said...

The colours in these lovely pieces remind me of time-faded Gobelin tapestries, or William Morris fabrics seen through clouded glass. Can't wait for the images to emerge as stitching progresses.

FeltersJourney said...

All gorgeous, and I love seeing the details!
I LUUUURVE the pale one, the one you said was disappointing prior to stitching.. I just can't stop looking at and admiring it!
xx

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Don't ever apologize for showing us details - all the more for us to drool over!! I'm really liking your latest pieces - can only begin to imagine what they must feel like in your hands as you work on them.

Wendy said...

Beautiful, this technique really compliments your style



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