Moving towards the last part of the process, making the sample stable by firming the corners: all pieces had been machined together and placed on a cardboard shell with double sided tape and bondaweb or pelmet vilene, in the case of the lid where I wanted to ensure that the curved shape would hold.
After much experimentation I decided that wooden skewers would be the answer to the corners allowing me to cut into fabric edges at 2 inch intervals and slide alternate sides or hinges onto the skewer. Doing three of these to each corner made a secure finish; putting a forth skewer on the inside edge proved to be somewhat problematic!
Satisfied with the solutions to the corners the tops of the skewers were cut and I then set about with the finishing touches to curved seams of the lid.
Triangles were sewn on a tape that could be cut to fit the curve and this was handsewn to inside and outside of lid, white triangles to outside, black triangles to inside.
The finished sample:
Having badly bruised my arms and right hand in a fall the process of hand sewing the finishing touches took far longer than I expected. I was pleased with how the overall shape held together but decided to let a few feathers 'fly free'..with a bit of hidden support!
Back view
Back details
Hand stitch in perle thread
Bottom view: positive and negative shapes
Front view: 'Birdsong'
Right Side Left side
The camera seems to exaggerate an uneven edge, particularly on rightside, so will re visit!
My overall reaction to the finished piece is positive. There is a sigh of relief and thoughts that I should have considered 'bite and chew', it has been a longer project than I envisaged
ADMINISTRATION
For Health and Safety I have updated my paper on Module one.
STORAGE AND HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES DISTANT STITCH
Module 1 and 2 ( new additions in blue for
Module 2)
As the course is taking place in my home the following
three criteria have influenced the following decisions regarding storage and
health and safety issues:
- My own convenience and safety
- The convenience and safety of my family, and friends who may visit
- The well being of the environment in which I live – a remote rural
location where we have a private water supply and septic tank. I endeavour to recycle paper,
fabrics and am know for collecting
‘thrums’- waste threads in Scotland - from not only my own work but our
monthly sewing groupies inevitable come armed with bags of their thrums
for me. In trying to maintain a low carbon footprint car use is considered
carefully and as craft suppliers are a sixty mile drive away I do use the
internet! But again I try to look to my collection first before pressing
the order button!
STORAGE
I maintain two work areas:
- a wet area within the garage, where there is easy access to water
- a dry area in an upstairs study where there is access to a computer/printer
and sewing machine, threads, fabric, books and sketch pads/pencils. My
ironing area is in another part of the house
As an excuse for my hoarding tendencies I need to have
a variety of storage options.
Wet Area
With grateful thanks to Mike who not only allowed me a
space within ‘his domain’ the garage, but also built the bench and shelves and
cut various boards and acrylic panes I have:
- a bench, 150 x 70 x 70cms
- stool
- two shelves
A series of three plastic containers for paints/printing
inks, fabric medium and stamp/mould making and adhesive materials allows easy,
visible access.
Rollers are hung on wall, brushes are kept in
containers and cutting tools are kept in original boxes.
A plastic sheet is used to cover work surface-
particularly useful when Mike is having a wood working day or when I have a
printing/painting day
Apron and shirt are hung for easy access
Dry Area
With great appreciation again to Mike for making me
three mobile tables and a bookshelf I am able to expand and contract the area I
take up relatively easily.
Storage is in colour blocks as we use the area for
living and like to keep it ‘attractive’:
- A series of glass cookie jars hold my threads, for sewing; separate
Kilner jars hold more varied weight threads; old glass sweetie jars hold
fabrics.
- A 4 ring binder sketch book to log my progress for upload onto blog
with A5 rough note pads at my side for thoughts and ideas
- A4 plastic display folders
hold Distant Stitch module chapter notes and templates made and not
included in sketch/log book
- A3 plastic display folders hold papers and fabrics that have been
printed for project
Ease of access on working samples
To ensure that materials for the project I am working on are easily
accessible I have made and covered two cardboard trays:
·
one for threads
being used on project
·
one for fabric
that could be useful in the project
and specifically for Module 2 were lots of pieces of paper were used a
plastic envelope for papers
·
a story board,
serves as a billboard for each chapter . Key pieces are kept on it for
reference and inspiration
HEALTH
AND SAFETY
The
key concerns that have arisen when undertaking Module One include:
Ensuring
that I work in a space that is:
·
light, well aired
·
cables for any equipment
are well concealed reducing any hazard when moving around the work area
·
all items to be used on the
specific part of the project are close to hand
·
and, take regular breaks to
help stop fatigue.
Dyes
and colourings:
My
main colouring agents have been:
·
acrylic and water colour
paints, pencils and
·
inks. Concerns on using an old set of inkjet
printer refills made me research the product and Appendix A gives the advice
that I followed. As the containers had
sharp ‘injection needles’ empty refills were disposed of at the local Doctors
Surgery where they have a ‘sharps disposal’ facility. Any other waste was disposed of away from the
water system.
·
Dylon fabric dye has been
used. The warning that it is an irritant
are heeded and gloves are warn when working with the dye. The fact that it can be an irritant to eyes,
might cause an allergic reaction and one should not breathe in the dust makes one vigilant while and after using the
dye. As the hints include the fact that
the dye may run after several washes I only use this dye on items that will not
be washed thereby ensuring no contaminated water gets into the water system. When mixing this dye I only make sufficient
quantity for immediate thereby reducing storage issues or waste disposal. In instances where too much has been made and I have
insufficient material to dyeI contacted Dylon who have informed me that it can
be disposed of in our land drains.
·
Bleach is toxic
and should be used with great care. It
can not only damage clothes but make an impact on the environment. When used to lift colour from dyed fabric I
placed a small amount on a china plate to ensure no waste remained. It is advised that your wear gloves when
using bleach and work in a well ventilated space. While I do have a face mask I was able to
open doors so did not use it in this instance.
As I need to replace my stocks I have looked into more user friendly
items.
Adhesives:
·
Glue sticks,
sellotape, double sided tapes and PVA is
easy to use and apart from ensuring it does not stick on work surfaces. However, I have found that is best not to use
PVA on typed paper and place in sketch book as it diffuses and turns some
images green!!!
·
When working
with papers in Module 2 I have used a spray temporary adhesive. This is a highly flammable substance in a
pressurised container and should be kept away from heat/flames or electrical
equipment that are in operation. It
should be used in a well ventilated space and in short bursts without extended
spraying.
Cutting
implements:
·
Scissors – the work has
alerted me to the fact that my scissors are not particularly sharp!! I have found a person who will sharpen them
so hopefully not only will my cutting be easier but also more accurate.
·
Knives - The main concern
centred on my craft knife which was used on flat, stable surfaces with a
cutting board underneath the item. The
protective cover was replace as soon as any cutting had been completed
·
Olfa Rotary
cutter should be kept with black click cover on when not in uses to ensure that
it does not have sharp edge protuding.
When using to cut into fabrics or papers it should be only used on
stable surface and one should push away from the body.
·
Seam ripper – While seemingly
innocuous this little implement is sharp and when used for cutting channels one
is exerting pressure and the cutting edge can slip off line so one should be
sure that they are treated with respect.
·
Sewing implements and
accessories, again simple things like pins and needles are stock and trade in
sewing but in the wrong position they can cause discomfort and wounds. To minimise risk of needles and pins dropping
into carpets or chairs I always have a pin/needle cushion to hand and tend to
‘count them out and count them back’ i.e. I use glass topped pins and only have
the needles I need to hand.
·
Sewing machine –
to ensure smooth running of machine, particularly when using frequently or
running thick thread, it is important to ensure that spool area is cleared of
dust. When sewing various layers or
thickness of fabric loosing tension and using a slow speed seems to be good
practice Ensure that needles are not
blunt.
Hot
Tools
·
Domestic irons, this is in
a separate area and as well as using non stick baking parchment I have invested
in an ironing sheet to protect my ironing board.
·
Soldering irons, this is
kept and worked with in the garage where a work surface and stand are available
and I am close to a source of water.
As
I progress through the course I will add notes to this report that identify
concerns and actions taken.
COSTS
| Module
2 |
Supplier |
Cost |
Amount used |
Cost for module 2 |
| Item |
|
|
|
|
| A4 Sketchbook |
W H Smith |
5.99 |
|
5.99 |
| Glue stick |
|
2.99 |
two thirds |
2 |
| Letter clips |
|
1.99 |
stock |
|
| Cartridge weight paper |
HP |
3.99 |
half |
2.00 |
| Fabrics & threads |
Seattle Quilt Co |
13.40 |
quarter |
3.35 |
| Fabric painting for
embroidery |
Amazon |
12.17 |
stock |
|
| Dylon, Black |
Mitchells |
3.25 |
all |
3.25 |
| Adhesive spray |
Ario |
6.98 |
two thirds |
4.64 |
| Sub total stock for module |
|
50.76 |
|
21.23 |
| From previous purchases |
|
|
|
|
| Bondaweb |
|
|
tenth |
1.03 |
| Double sided tape |
|
|
third |
1.83 |
| Printing paper |
|
|
quarter |
1.25 |
| Printer inks |
|
|
quarter |
18.75 |
| Total Module 2 |
|
|
|
£44.09 |
TIME
28 weeks of work with an average of 6.25 hours a week
82 days of work with an average of 2.13 hours a day
Chapter Hours
1 5
2 12
3 15
4 13
5 8
6 14
7 13
8 8
9 10
10 7
11 9
12 10
13 49
REFERENCES
Books and websites
Machine Embroidery stitch techniques, Valerie Campbell-Harding, Pamela
Watts. Batsford
Fabric Painting for Embroidery, Valerie Campbel-Harding. Batsford
The Art of Manipulating Fabric, Coletter Wolff. Krause
Creative Embroidery Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn. Batsford
Quiltmaking in patchwork & applique, Michele Walker. Ebury Press
101 Patchwork Patterns, Ruby McKim. Dover
Creating Handmade books, Alisa Golden.
Sterling Publishing Co Inc
Quiltline/Studio Quilts, Pauline Burbidge,
DR Digital reader symbols
Museums and exhibitions and
observations
- Birmingham art Gallery
- Platt Hall
Manchester Exhibition Group 62 50th Anniversary
- Ludlow
architecture
Authenticity Document
After each module I change my blog design so this is a reminder of the header used for Module 2
The sample fabric had been wrapped in peaks to try and achieve a shibori effect. Sadly, the fabric was left too long in the dye and the contrast was not obvious, however, ridges had appeared and this suggested the use of running stitches in a variegated cotton perle to replicate the appearance I had wanted. Using the same thread whipped spider wheels were made, the smaller ones were not as effective as the larger ones due to the bulk of the thread. Moving up the sample and considering my doodles page, Ref 2 the snake like doodle came to mind so a casalguidi stitch was used. I really enjoyed this stitch and while working it considered how a variety of skin patterns could be made using a range of plain colours threads feeding them in along the 'grid' of the underlying satin stitch and the overlying stem stitch. Moving round to the radiating french knots a Sulky variegated cotton thread was twisted making a 4 ply yarn. This thread was also used for the shell like cone then moved down the side using fewer threads in a series of 7times wrapped bullion wheels. 3 x 10 inches.
For sample 3.4.1b a piece of felt fabric bonded with chiffon and trapped threads that was made in Module 1 was used. The central feature of a continuous spiral using a variety of threads and stitches from the middle appeared to sit well on the textured surface. The inner row a series of lime french knots contrasts with a dark green perle stagged chain stitches. A pink perle back stich begins the contrast and is then given tone with a couched floss thread. The outside scroll stitch brings a hint of a paisley type pattern which led me to explore a few more examples in the cornes using hemp, embroidery thread. 4 x8 inches
With the choice of two 'new' feet on my machine, well they were in the accessories box but have not seen light of day and a bit of practice before the next chapter could be useful; Nos 21 and 25 for braiding and couching allowed fun with oversewing but needed to watch that I didn't flatten the texture of braid so widened stitch. Three braids used hand dyed paper yarn, string and gimp. Single braid was a purchased variegated, thick, silk gimp 3.4.2a. Samples in 3.4.2b are Sulky varieted thread sewn to emphasis the water dye marks on the fabric.
The sample on the left is worked on the monoprint in the middle of the top row on Ref 3.3.4d. Using hand dyed string and paper yarn gimp, with a lurex yarn the fun began. I had wanted to try lurex yarn in spool but that didn't work so all yarns are couched. Experimenting with different spool threads I was happier with the plain yellow rather than variegated thread used to couch the top middle to right section. Lurex, not usually my scene but found at the bottom of a thread jar, gave a festive touch and liked the fact that its touches of blue/green linked into the dye on left edge. 
