More on the Flower Stitcher

I'm glad you are all enjoying the Flower Stitcher thread. Val would be pleased that it's getting another airing - I often think how much she would have loved blogging. She was an ace communicator.
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Fibrenell - get into that book. I love the way Kate Atkinson weaves a story. You follow it through the eyes of several people and it is always a sign of a good book when you hate to leave the current character and move on. My all time faves with books are the Girl with..series and Audrey Neffeneger's time traveller and his wife (didn't care for her next one so much).
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Interested to hear about the Japanese version of the Flower Stitcher, henred. Keep us posted.
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Before we get to the next bit there is another Smudge thing. He is very active just now. We were taking a photo for my next article for Workshop on the Web (on oiling paper). It was a dull day so I was as close to the patio doors as I could get, balancing a board on a little sofa. Just as Clive was about to click, he noticed the tail hanging down from under the board and took a quick pic. Next minute the whole thing was upset and everything was everywhere.
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I left the board in place and he played there all morning. I did get some pics - watch for the article in December's WoW.
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Flower Stitcher - part 2

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Try stitching massed complete circles or only semi-circles. Solid satin stitched circles can be cut out and threaded onto braids or cords. They could be folded along an edge, or wrapped around a cord.
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Below. Satin stitch circles cut out and applied to felt with added stitching to secure them.
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Below. Satin stitch circles cut out and applied to a painted and stitched fabric. Torn scraps of circles stitched on water-soluble fabric were added and secured with free embroidery in running stitch.

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Below. Satin stitch circles cut out and applied to a solidly stitched belt.

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Below. Tri-lobal nylon was spread all over felt and stitched with overlapping circles using straight stitch. The embroidery was melted using a heat gun.

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The pics are a bit small - we had more limited download speeds back then but I think you get the idea.

More next time.

PS. We have to go to sign the contract for the house sale tomorrow - still trying not to get excited but our house passed its survey, so we are moving on.

Started Early, Took my Frog

Fans of Kate Atkinson will recognise the heading above as (almost) the title of her latest book which I can thoroughly recommend. On this blog, it is the introduction to a Smudge story, after which we will begin the promised Val article on the Flower Stitcher.
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People often comment on the timing of my morning emails and, yes, we are always up by 6am - but we do have breakfast in bed. This morning we were having a good relaxed breakfast when we heard the scream of a frog. They really do scream, very loudly, when pulled from the pond by a cat in hunting mode. Smudge has a very soft mouth and never hurts them but, obviously, frogs don't much enjoy the game of prod, prod, hop, hop that ensues.
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So there we were at 6.15 today, two people in dressing gowns and slippers, chasing one cat and one frog around the garden. It was then that I thought what a great title it would make for today's epistle. The frog was safely returned to the pond and Smudge spent the next hour wandering round the garden in a state of 'I know I put it somewhere'.

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On to the flower stitcher.
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Before I forget, Dale has a great little book on the subject at http://www.thethreadstudio.com/
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After Val demonstrated what could be done with the Flower Stitcher at the autumn shows, so many people ordered one that there was a distinct world shortage for a while and the factory in the far east went on double time. She was much amused.


Ever Decreasing Circles
By
Val Campbell Harding
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At the end of a year-long course on machine embroidery, I suggested that we try the feet and attachments that we had not used so far. Practising what I preached, I fished out a Japanese Flower Stitching foot that Janome used to sell for their sewing machines. Fortunately the instructions, though brief, were still there. The foot did not fit on the Janome 9000, but did fit the Bernina 180 using a Standard shank, and also on the Pfaff 7570. The Brother has an extension shank which will also fit the Janome 9000, but other machines do not need anything extra.

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I did a few samples and then took it in for the students to try. They took it in turns and were immediately hooked. There was one panic on the first morning when the whole thing seized up, but some oil did the trick and we were away. This is important to know as it always seems to happen but, once oiled, the Stitchers do not seem to need it again. Try moving the lever up and down and put a drop of oil wherever metal rotates against metal.
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Set up your machine as usual, and attach the Flower Stitcher with the lever on top of the needle bar.
Adjust the Presser foot pressure to maximum if you can. If you cannot, then use a thicker fabric. One layer of felt should be enough, but there might be trouble if you try stitching on transparent fabrics alone.
By loosening the large screw and sliding the plastic ring from side to side, the size of the circle can be adjusted. You can also move the position of the needle to give larger and smaller circles.
Then you just stitch and the fabric will rotate automatically, with the last stitch meeting the first one extremely accurately.
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First try straight stitching, then zigzag, then all your patterns. Some will need a second or third layer of stitching to give more emphasis, and some longer patterns will need three or four rounds to make anything interesting.
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Below: Straight stitch, satin stitch and some patterns.

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Try stitching smaller circles inside larger ones. These are stitched with patterns using metal thread on felt.

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Of course, you must try the following:
Changing the tension
Using two threads in your needle
Different threads
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Try different fabrics, some of which may have been previously painted, printed or stitched – below you can see the effect on builder’s scrim.

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Try on water-soluble fabric or paper, on loosely-woven fabrics, or on papers which can be wetted and partially torn away after stitching.
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Here you can see straight and satin stitch circles on water-soluble fabric.
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There will be more of the article in the next blog. Watch this space.

The illustrated to-do list

At last I feel that I am getting through my to-do list. It was a very long list and remained static for some time. I once used my 'do' list in a textile for a Batsford book - when I needed a quick source of text. These days it would be a long piece of work. Perhaps that is a good idea for further exploration - the illustrated to-do list. Mine would currently look like this:

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Well, that's the first four items. I also have to finalise the printing of postcards for the show, email all group members to finalise arrangements and chase up the estate agent. It'll be a long day.

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One thing, the accountant shouldn't take long. We used to dread the year-end - we are pretty good record keepers but there were always odds and ends to sort out. But now we have the amazing Linda to keep our books, so there are very few queries. Almost a pleasure - apart from the paying tax bit.

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I have just had the last address for the flower stitcher so they will be going out - another thing on the list! Anyone who is a long-time subscriber to Workshop on the Web (http://www.workshopontheweb.com/) will find an article by Val Campbell-Harding in the March 2002 issue - go to back issues and enter the password etc.

In fact I will give away the article as a series of tutorials on the blog over the next few weeks - a freebie - how about that?

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Here is a detail of Val's belt to whet your appetite. Keep looking in for more ideas for using these useful gadgets.

Flower Power

Now for the prize draw for the Flower Stitchers. I found two more, so that is seven to give away. I will pay the postage if the lucky winners pop a coin or two in the charity box. Here they are, sitting on my bookcase ready to be dispatched - and no, the iphone isn't included in the giveaway!

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And the winners (picked from the hat by Clive) are:

Carol

Heather

Su Harris

Margaret S

Stephanie M

Ann M

Liniecat

Luckily I don't think we have any duplicate names. I don't know where you all live but I don't mind posting overseas if you don't mind putting the postage in a charity box. Don't forget to email me your names and addresses - maggie@workshopontheweb.com

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Well, that's cleared out another drawer.

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We are still having a gigantic clear out on the grounds that, even if we don't move it will be good to de-clutter. So, every day, we empty another cupboard or drawer and it feels quite liberating - not to mention all the nostalgia.

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I am also working on the Mixed Media: New Studio Techniques book. That is now the final and conclusive title. It has come back from the designer and it looks wonderful. Co-author Isobel Hall is also delighted and that is just the initial design stage. One great thing about the way Michael Wicks and I produce books is that there is always a chance to improve the spreads. We had a really lovely double pager but I didn't like one of the pics so I am quickly knocking up some books to replace the dodgy one. I shall send them to MW on Tuesday and, when the book returns from the final trip to the designer, the new photo will just slot in.

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We have a 'let me know' list for the book and, if you get your name on it, you can win one of my sketchbooks. Just email Fiona on fiona@d4daisy.com - no obligation to buy.

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Here is a pic of my almost finished books - they use a neat technique with metallic paint sprays but I can't show the full effect as my photography is not up to Michael's standard.

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Look at one of Michael's pics of the decorated paper and you will see what I mean.

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No news on the move except that the solicitors have nearly finished and we have to go and sign the contract soon. Not that that means anything until our buyer has his mortgage offer. Apparently, everything stops in August and the surveyors have gone to ground. Hopefully things will move after the summer holiday.

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On another subject, we are thinking of swapping our Broadband supplier to Sky - anyone got any comments on their performance? I know I can rely on an unbiased opinion from the blogging community.

Beavering on

Well, we're home from the Festival of Quilts and it all went very well. We had some brilliant help on the stand this year - thanks Sam and Paula - so we weren't quite so tired when we got home. The stand looked great and Elli's jacket (thanks for the message, Elli) was a big hit. You can see a bit of our stand below. Elli's jacket is in my Stitches, Straps and Layers book and is a great example of working with strips of fabric - in this case, lovely hand-dyed fabric.

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You can also see a piece by Jean Draper which was very atmospheric. It was called, 'After the Fire, Sunset'. So very effective and great colours.
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I thought the show was wonderful - there will be a full review in the unrestricted area of Workshop on the Web in September - gosh, that's next week.

So many visitors from overseas - must improve my French. There was much to see - from welcome, familiar faces like the Kemshalls (below) who always present wondrous work, to newcomers like the group from Murmansk in Russia, there was something for everyone. The Russian ladies were lovely and the work, as you can see, was so vibrant and a little bit saucy.
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Bernina invited me to the Gala Dinner and I sat with Pauline Burbidge (love her work). We had both been teaching at the Italian Masseria this year so we had a lot to talk about. I am almost certainly going back there in 2012 so lots of time to plan a really great course.

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We stayed in a slightly better hotel than usual - we usually try not to spend too much on accomodation because the costs associated with the show are very high. We got a good deal this time on a Prenier Inn and it was certainly more relaxing.
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Anyway, we had an excellent show, my talks were really well supported, so thanks to all who came to them, we also had some good meals with good friends and managed to get packed and away in record time. Clive gained two new daughters (you know who you are) and, true to daughters everywhere, they both wanted pocket money!
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It's lovely to be home (no news on the sale - still waiting for our buyer's surveyor) and, best of all, my eldest granddaughter, Lauren, got excellent GCSE results today, including four As and an A*. The lowest she got was a C for Art & Design - oh the shame of it! She's definitely leaning towards the academic, not the arty side of the family. This means that she has been accepted on the A level course she had set her heart on, so that's good news.
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I have five Flower Stitchers up for grabs. If anyone wants one, leave a comment on this blog. That'll be another drawer cleared out! Closing date Saturday 28th.
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Comments

Scooter - glad you found the CD. Brewer Sewing do it in the USA - they carry all the d4daisy books.
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I put Tiziana's work in the talk I gave at NEC, Helen, and everyone gave that little 'ooh' sound that means it's a really good piece of work. Lovely to hear from the lady herself - you were much discussed Tiziana!
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Gill - I did try the old crumpled silk trick last year but it was a bit lightweight and kept catching in the sewing machine. I did discover that this gave an interesting result, though.
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Elli - see above note about your jacket. Much admiration - aren't I lucky to have friends who make such great work.

Ready for the Show

I am in the usual pre show tizz - getting ready for the Festival of Quilts. Actually I am nearly ready and I've done the most hated job - ironing the table covers. By the time I get them there, they won't look as if an iron has been anywhere near them.

d4daisy has a great display with work by most of our lovely authors, including a big piece from Jae Maries, some awesome stuff from Lynda and Carol, even a piece of Julia Caprara's work, many thanks to Alex. Jean Draper is also bringing me a piece of her work - she is still hopeful that her book will be out next year (her partner was taken seriously ill which put it on hold, but, thank God, he's much better now).

There is constant interuption to the flow of work due to multiple choice question sheets about the house move. Our solicitor says that she is nearly there, but the surveyers have yet to survey so anything could happen and I refuse to get excited. If we get as far as signing the contract I shall celebrate with a bucketful of champagne (and no there won't be a pic on the blog!).

I was clearing my camera card in readiness for the exhibition - full report on the show in September's WoW - when I found this photo of my friend Isabel wearing a jacket that she had made at a Lizzie Houghton workshop. It's nuno felt with habutai silk and it just looks terrific. Lizzie's book 'Felting Fashion' is a really good one and I missed it as the publishers, Batsford, didn't send me a review copy.

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I also found this amazing graduate piece by Tiziana Tateo who achieved her degree with Opus. It is Sizoflor and puff paint with some zapping, and is based on the philosopher Schopenhauer's view of Maya's veil - the veil of illusion. Way back when I ran distance learning classes, Tiziana was one of my students and she has gone from strength to strength, with her work consistently included in prestigious exhibitions. Based in Italy, she says there is little opportunity for creative stitching, so our UK Distance Learning was just right for her degree. I'm including this piece in my talk on three-dimensional embroidery at the NEC Festival.

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JP and Julie - look forward to seeing you at the show.

Thanks to all for good house wishes - I'll keep you all posted!

Dongles do sound rude, Jo. I remember when I had a proper job at an insurance company and had to investigate a new computer system which included a dongle. Reporting to my rather po-faced boss was a great trial and I used to get outside the door and explode with laughter. Geelong sounds like a great pressie - give my love to everyone.

It was good to see you, too Daniela - if the house thing goes through it will be a very fair deal all round, I think. Prices are dropping a little and I don't think that is too bad a thing (unless you have a big mortgage, then it's difficult).

When I come back after the FOQ I shall have some Flower Stitchers up for grabs so watch out for this month's special offer.

Marking Time

Thanks for all messages of goodwill about the house. No news, apart from several enormous forms from our solicitor, which we have just returned. I have been really busy getting WoW done and getting the book off to the designer - it is probably good to be busy.
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Gina - I'm sure that Jane would be happy for you to use the drawing exercise. It is fun and it's great seeing what other people have produced.

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Castaway - no, it wasn't out of date - I got it new from AVG so really can't think why it wouldn't work.

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Glad you liked Highcliffe Amo. I sold two pieces in the end and loads of books, so it was very good.

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While filling in the solicitor's forms and looking at the dates, we suddenly realised that last Friday was our Silver Wedding Anniversary. Now most people would have been planning a 'do' for ages but things like that just seem to pass us by. I phoned the girls and suggested they come over for a quick take-away but Fiona insisted we went over there and she produced a great instant party, complete with selected best friends, and we all had a wonderful time. In the end it was better than anything we could have planned.

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On Saturday night we took GC Lauren and her new guy to see a local outdoor production of Romeo and Juliet. It was really well done and the kids thought it was wonderful. Lauren's new fella is the one that I think is too old for her, but Fiona says 'He's got a job, he can buy her things, he's got a car, he can drive her around. What's not to like?' I have to say that he is a lovely lad, polite but not too shy, and very funny. I hope that he is not bad news for next year's A levels!

In the programme was a plea from the costume mistress for fabrics so that's just the right timing for all my cupboard clearing.

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I love the work of Nikki Parmenter - she makes the most amazing 3D pieces. I'm doing a talk on 'The Third Dimension' for the Festival of Quilts and thought I'd put in this piece of hers. Amazing isn't it?

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She is doing a WoW workshop for me on making the flowers. It will be in December's issue. I wonder where I'll be living then?

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Probably still here!

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Has anyone tried those mi-fi dongle things? It's a device, the size of a small phone that turns you into a wi-fi hotspot (provided you give people the password). It can be used with all devices - laptops iphones etc. My free year of 3g internet comes to an end on my iphone soon so I thought this would be a good solution, supposed to be faster than the usual USB dongle - especially if we move.