green fields throw - the story so far

This is my third piece for my City & Guilds Certificate in Craft and Design (Embroidery).

I wanted a blanket/throw inspired by agriculture landscape. The initial vision was of a felt patchwork with surface embroidery. As usual I got a bit distracted and spent time constructing other types of fabric. Most of them unsuitable for a blanket! I should have spent more time on different felt making techniques.

In the end I settled on a traditional felt making method (wool tops combed and layered then rubbed with some soap and a lot of elbow power, then rinsed).

I'm using merino wool tops from Texere in 4 colours - Lincoln Green, Mustard, Gold and Olive. I blended the colours to produce this colour sample book:-

The actual patchwork design was determined by the largest size of felt I could make (I was pregnant at the time and it is physically hard work!).

The finished throw will be approx 110 x 85cm.

So far I've made 4 out of the 7 pieces. These 3 form the middle band (without stitching)


The stitches I've chosen include:-
buttonhole (like in the middle above)
straight/seed (shown below)
wheatear (shown below)
cretan (I think)

I like the freeform edges of the felt and intend to use these lines both internally and as an outside to the throw.

So...

To Do list

*make the 3 other pieces.
a light yellow piece (30 x 85cm)
a light green piece (45 x 25cm)
a dark green piece (45 x 25cm)
*Start surface stitching!
*Decide on how I'm going to join the pieces together... a simple straight stitch?

My goodness. That's a lot of felt.

to do

*ATC for Yahoo swap
*action plan for green fields throw (I MUST I MUST I MUST)
*some black and white stuff!
*prepare fabric, plan and start stitching cover to stitch dictionary
*catch up with Take a Stitch Tuesday - cross stitch and barred chain

New project!

I've signed up for an ATC swap with my City & Guilds textile group on Yahoo. I need to have them ready for posting on 4th May. I'm not sure how many I need to make yet as it depends on how many of the group sign up. I would like to have a theme. Ideas I've considered:-

* trees. I'm really taken by branches and tree structures and shapes at the moment.
* Baby Girl's stuff. I've been taking some photos of her clothes and toys. There are some lovely stitch ideas (e.g. reverse applique with a ribbon embroidery outline).
* photo manipulation and fabric transfer printing.

However the idea I think I will go with involves the stitch samples I've done for Take a Stitch Tuesday. I want to take my favourite use of the stitch and use it in an ATC. Or maybe I should try a fresh idea with the stitch (inspired by the other participants). I would have a common colour scheme (hopefully not black and white) to unify the set.

Since many of the swap participants read this blog I won't say anymore on. I'll post photos in mid May!

inspirations from nature - part 4

Blue skies.

inspirations from nature - part 3

Taken by Ian in 2004. Click to enlarge.

I used this photo as inspiration in my first C&G project (sky, sea and sand sketchbooks, 2004) .

These are some photo manipulations I did using this photo.

And a page from my sketchbook showing some patterns.

inspirations from nature - part 2

Taken by Ian in August 2004. Click for a bigger, more detailed view.

inspirations from nature - part 1

During a very windy and wet walk through Cambo Gardens I came upon this tree with amazing bark.



I have know idea what type it is but it looks amazing. I wonder what it will look like in summer?