Textile Gallery

During the Covid lockdown I rediscovered an interest in embroidery, something I hadn't practised since my teenage years.  It was definitely time to move on from the shop bought transfers and ready printed table and tray cloths of my youth, but I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to make.  I started with small 3" or 4" squares of fabric, drawing or printing my own floral designs, using acrylic paint, watercolour crayons or fabric pens, embellising with needle and thread.  Of course the internet provided a wealth of information and inspiration from modern day textile artists.  Shown here are some of my creations from the last 3+ years - and the journey continues......

A bevy of fabric pots (varying sizes, but around 3.5" tall)

Lidded fabric box - 3.5" square. 2" high
Painted, printed and embroidered calico

Front

Back
A small fabric purse (approx. 3.5" square) - 
an embroidered patchwork of eco-dyed cotton

A fabric fold book - hand-printed and painted cotton, 
embroidery with machine stitching on cover.
(Blog posts 8.1.24 and 1.2.24)

Cape Primrose - paint, lino print and hand stitch
on cotton

Originally intended as a needle case, I decided instead to
explore the possibility of making a small book,
stitching on mulberry paper.  Linen cover, paper pages,
embroidery and printed fabric applique.
(Blog post 27.10.23)

The fabric for this piece was made at a "Print on Fabric" workshop. 
I had no preconceived ideas about what it would be used for, but 
later made this fold book, adding a couple of fold out flaps, plus a 
pocket on the back, into which I tucked a small paper lavender bag.
The pocket was added to cover a printed element which didn't
really fit into the butterfly/dragonfly theme.
Cotton, watercolour paint, acrylic prints, hand stitch.
(Blog post 21.10.23)

Another workshop "Bugs and Beetles in Stitch"- paint,
fabric collage, free motion machine and hand stitch.
I struggled with the free motion stitching and my effort was
somewhat chaotic compared to the beautiful display samples,
but definitely a technique worth exploring further.
(Blog post 21.10.21)

This embroidery was stitched over a collagraph printed
image.  It was my contribution to a lockdown project
entitled "Same Sea Different Boat" -  hundreds of
contributions from around the world resulted in the
organisers producing seven large quilt panels which 
have been exhibited in various locations around the UK.
(Blog posts 20.3.21 and 9.10.21)

My first attempt at a fabric book using some of 
my small experimental embroideries
(Blog post 10.4.22)

A mini iPad cover - made from3" squares
of embroidered black cotton
(Blog post 6.9.21)