Tea Bag Machine Stitch Samples

In these samples I layered up a variety of fabrics and quilting fleece and machined stitched with parallel stitches in order to explore the different textures and tones that could be achieved. This work was inspired by my drawings of tea bags and I have used this as a theme in the presentation of the samples.
My next project idea is to make a tea cup, similar to the one below, in which to present these samples.

My Tea Cup

I layered up a selection of fabrics and used machine stitch to join and strengthen the fabric. I then constructed a saucer and tea cup in the style of Lizzie Weirs work.

Layered fabrics inspired by Lizzie Weir

Work in progress

This link was recommended to me by Liz Hewitt who I spoke to at the Curiouser exhibition. It is a good example of how a blog can be used to show textiles work progress.

http://janethaigh.wordpress.com/

Brunel Broderers Exhibition - "Curiouser ...?" Frome

Jan Swancult - Joined

This artist uses hand stitch onto calico with a thin bamboo quilt backing. I love the texture that the seams and stitches make on the neutral fabric. The artist is particularly interested in the effect that the curved seams create. The pieces were about 70cm squared and hung on the wall.


Liz Harding

I am really inspired by these beautiful wall pieces which use machine and some hand stitch almost as drawn lines across the surface. The neutral colour threads on the rich coloured fabrics work beautifully together. i love the way that the loose threads are left hanging on the surface. The fabrics are layers sheer fabrics. I would like to experiment with using simple machine stitch in this way, using colour and mark making to create this type of effect.

Lizzie Weir

Lizzie Weir uses very neutral fabrics and almost collages them together to create textured surfaces, She seems to have used vintage scraps and tape to create the pieces. She has used the same layering and collaging effect to create the 3D pieces. I would like to try o make some pieces like this, layering and sewing fabrics together with straight machine stitch to strengthen them.

Louise Watson

These delicate pieces combine hand and machine stitch to create a variety objects based around the artist's study of butterflies.

Carolyn Sibbald

It was interesting to see this sashiko inspired piece by Carolyn Sibbald. The stitches were about 2cm long and the blue fabric was layered over a red lining.long

Brunel Broderers Exhibition - Fromehttp://www.brunelbroderers.co.uk/exhibition_detail.php?exhibition_id=19

Machine Stitch Samples

Here are some of my quick machine stitch samples

Free machining drawing with my machine. Black on cream silk. I would like to improve the quality of my free machine stitch.

Layered and stitched fabrics. I really like the texture created by the lines of different colour stitch on the plain blue fabric.

Zig zag stitch on muslin.

Machine Stitch - Inspiration

For the next art part of my project about stitch, I am going to explore the use of machine stitch. I am particularly interested in free machining, quilting and appliqué. These three books have been inspirational, giving me ideas for using a range of different techniques and approaches.

Sashiko - final piece

This is my final piece which combines all of my sashiko samples. What I really like about the sashiko technique is that it allows you to add pattern and design to plain fabrics. The combination of natural forms  and pattern works well and is reminiscent of the Mason Ironstone pottery piece in my research. If I were to develop this idea I would like to use a greater variety of colour ways within the design.

Sashiko - my samples

This is based on a traditional graphic style of design. I should have left a gap where the threads cross to give a more even look.

This is based on drawings of lily pads in my pond and inspired by the eau pure packaging which I looked at.

This blue flower design is very similar to the design seen in the illustrator designs below and is based on flowers in my garden

Another simple graphic design. In this sample I drew on the fabric with pencil to map out the design. In all the others I used bondaweb on the back. Using bondaweb on the back helped to stop the fabric puckering.

 
This traditional design is sewn by following the curved lines, not the circles. Within the finished design I think this square looks too busy.

This design is based on my drawings of the leaves of the water lily flower. The interlocking quality is similar to many traditional designs

I tried sewing on to this patterned fabric. I don't think that the red thread shows up enough, but I like the idea of pattern on top of pattern.

A traditional and effective pattern.

I am really pleased with these lily pad designs and think that they look good on both black and white backgrounds.

Sashiko - Research

Sashiko is a Japanese embroidery using running stitch, which was traditionally used to reinforce clothing and also for decorative purposes. Traditionally it is done with white thread on a blue background as seen in these two samples, above and below. 

The firefighters jacket of 1900, shown above, was made up of layers of fabric and would be soaked in water to help protect the fire fighter from the heat

 Sashiko was also applied to the corners of a wrapping cloth called Furoshiki for durability and a decorative purpose.

Sashiko designs by Miho Takeuchi

Here it is used in a contemporary context as an alternative to western quilting, adding surface texture and embellishment.
This idea of patchworking small sashiko designs together as well as using illustrational designs have influenced my own work. In both these samples Takeuchi has moved away from the tarditional white design on blue fabric and has used a variety of plain and patterned fabrics.

These are some patterns made for use on Illustrator which were inspired by Sashiko patterns. I like the patchwork effect and the mixture of designs and colours. This inspired me to create a range of samples and then sew them together.

Flowers in my garden

These are photographs that I took of flowers in my garden which I thought would make good starting points for drawings and linear designs to include in my sashiko samples. The pink flowers were the easiest to work from as they have five distinct petals and an interesting star shaped centre.

Plant based designs on cosmetics and pottery

I have  photographed a variety of plant based designs around the house. Both these designs have an oriental feel to them.

These are photographs of the water lily in my pond and water lily designs from mason ironstone pottery and eau pure toiletries packaging.

Water lilies

I really love these water lily based designs and have used them as strong inspiration in my work. A single flower was in bloom in my pond and I have photographed it as it opens out towards the end of the afternoon. The lily leaves are more rounded than the design above and I have incorporated this into my own design.