Boro Inspired project Part 2

In my last post about this project I was still at the stage of trying to figure out how to tackle replacing those unattractive, heavily embroidered front panels. Since unpicking that stuff would be near impossible, I decided to create new panels that I could work with

Next, I placed each newly created panel behind the one I wanted to remove. I stitched them in place and working from the front side, proceeded to cut away the bit I wanted gone.

Below is how the jacket looks now, machine embroidery is gone and I have a fresh surface to play with.

I started on one side by arranging a few fabrics. I first basted them in place and then secured it all with a whip stitch using Wonderfil's Invisifil 100wt thread so it almost disappears into the background.

Now I am ready for the fun part!

Slow Stitching.

I am finally getting around to quilting a top I made something like 15 years ago. It is all hand appliqued.....the center is a block from a pattern called My Tweets designed by Erin Russek. The outer border is a block I later discovered to be in the book "Simple Traditions" by Kim Diehl and the inner border is one I designed by taking advantage of an interesting print fabric........you can see earlier posts about the making of this quilt  here

Below, is the "flimsy" before batting and backing.....this poor thing has been folded up and stored under the bed all this time.

So far, I have echo quilted around all of the elements and am slowly hand stitching circles.....many, many circles.  I am making progress and should soon move on to the outer border.  This quilt is 6 foot square.....so I am threading my needle a lot!

And then there is this little one.......it began as a block that I made when lucky enough to learn applique in a workshop with Rosemary Makhan.  With this one I used a simple, random scattered stitch which gave it wonderful texture. It too, was rescued from under the bed and now makes a very nice wall hanging.

I'll have to take a look and see if there are other unfinished projects hanging out with the dust bunnies.

Boro Inspired Project

I'd love to try up-cycling a few garments in a Boro style.  From what I've learned, Boro and Sahiko stitching is traditionally used for "visible" mending, but I am sure it can be used even when a garment isn't worn or tattered. So here's my plan. I have this fleece jacket, the jacket is in decent shape, comfortable and warm but I really and truly dislike that design on the front.

I began by trying to remove the machine embroidery on it......this took me nearly an hour and as you can see I wasn't having much luck....so on to plan B

I am going to create new panels....stitch them behind and then cut away the stuff I want gone, then add my pretty fabrics and stitches.....will it work?  Guess I'll find out. I did a "test" bit to see how my fabrics, thread and needle choices would work.

My stash consists of mostly batiks......I've had experience with hand stitching batiks and I already know it won't be super easy....but I love the look.  So I began by layering a few bits on a piece of flannel (which will be what I use to create the replacement panel)

and here is what it looks like with stitching added

What I have learned so far is that I may want to mitigate the difficulty of stitching through several layers of batik by doing a little trimming behind the scenes as I lay it out.....because it will all be backed by the flannel it won't be noticeable. Plus I'll have extra scraps!  :-)

For this project I think I may use the Auifil 12wt cotton you see in the photo.......but in the past I have also used crochet cotton which is what I used when giving this old denim jacket a facelift.

Papercutting Design

I am currently working on a series of nature inspired papercuts.  I often pull from  and modify my previous designs and doodles to create the image I want to cut.  Here, my snail doodle is where I began.

I begin by modifying my original drawing and add the desired elements. I'll draw and re-draw several variations. Once I am happy with it, I scan it, print it at the size I want and then trace it using a light box.  Cutting takes place on the backside so I need to trace it in reverse.

The drawing continues to evolve throughout the process. Even during the cutting process I'll make small changes.

When I originally drew this, there were no ladybugs in the design but when I pulled the paper out to begin tracing, there was a real live ladybug clinging to the piece. So, of course, I had to add a few.

Like doodling and hand stitching this artform is quite meditative.

Upcycling Packing Paper

Recently, I was given a piece of brown packaging paper measuring 12 inches by 40 feet.........one complete, intact, 40 foot bit of paper that had arrived in someone's Amazon parcel.  Now I have to tell you that the parcel contained a DVD.....seems like an unnecessary amount of protection but I decided to see if I could do something creative with that paper rather than just chuck it in the recycle bin.

I made a small book and began testing ideas.  

It has a very slight waxy texture so working with Colour pencil is difficult.   The paper doesn't really have any "tooth" so the colour pencil doesn't layer up well.  You'll see with this Orchid, the drawing quickly became overworked and ended up with a shiny appearance

Like most of us, I have a lot of old pencils lying in drawers and such (probably abandoned by my kids) I thought I'd try using them on this paper. I must say that most of these pencils are not great quality so the results are not ideal. The magnolia was my second attempt and a little more successful. I have since found my tin of Prismacolor so I'll have to see if I have more success with those.

Then, I thought I'd try coating the paper with a thin layer of Gesso.  This gives graphite and ink something to bite into.  With the Gesso applied, I can draw with a graphite pencil, marks can be erased by gently lifting with a kneaded eraser and ink goes on fairly smoothly. I quite like the effect of the drawing sort of falling off the edge and fading into the brown.  I will try a few more of this sort of drawing and possibly adding a light watercolour wash.

And since I'm playing with paper, I thought I'd see how well a papercut might work. 

This worked much better than I had expected. I am certain more ideas will come to me and when they do, I'll share them here. 

Paper Cutting

Do people still read blogs? I am sad to say that I have not visited blogs in quite a long time, but I find that I miss them......I tried Instagram, and for a while it seemed like a great way to find and connect with others who shared an interest but lately it seems to be filled with ads, people trying to sell a class or a book, I don't seem to see the people I follow as much as an awful lot of stuff the algorithm suggests for me. 

While Instagram is great for just putting up a photo with a quick caption, there doesn't seem to be the same connection we once had with blogs. There seemed to be more of a community.

I, myself have been absent for quite some time....but I'd like to return, do a few posts and see who still likes this format.  I may need to refresh my memory about how to make posts, add photos and create links though. I am turning commenting back on (for now)  I originally turned it off as I was getting far too many suspicious links and spam.

So today I thought I'd post some of the Paper cutting projects I have been working on.  Regular readers from a long while ago may recall the themed paper snowflakes I used to create......those were done on folded paper and cut using scissors. ( There is a link to the gallery on the side bar) 

Today I am creating designs that I cut flat using an Xacto knife and self healing mat.  I used one of my old "doodles" as the jumping off point for this one. This was kind of a "test" piece to see if I fully understood the process.

Here is one that I created as a gift for a friend.

The process is quite simple really, once I have created the design, I print the image in reverse, then, using a lightbox, I carefully trace the lines onto the back of my paper. Next is simply cutting away the negative space.  

Some areas can be quite delicate so I need to leave what I call "bridges" to hold everything in place until I near the end of the cutting. The more cuts made, the more fragile the piece becomes. Below is the design with all the bridges still in place....looks a little chaotic at this stage.

For most of these pieces I place them on a black card stock background which really makes the design stand out....but for this one, because it was going to another textile artist, I used a beautiful batik which provided a lovely effect.......almost a ......night time in the garden feel.

This one is another of my doodles redesigned.....and just like doodling, sitting quietly making 1 cut at a time has a wonderful meditative quality.

Are you a "blogger"  maybe we need to have some sort of re-union! Leave me a comment so I can come find you.