Bookmarks & Coasters

 From January into April I worked on coasters and bookmarks using up scraps from the stash.

Liptov Lace Biscornu

 For the 2019 Christmas tree I made 2 squares of Liptov lace and stitched the edges together matching corners to mid-points like a biscornu.  

Three Blue Tube Men & 2020 Disintegration

 

Look carefully to see the 3 blue tube men across the bottom.

This piece had no title until I decided that it represents this year.  

These were exercises from classes with Jan Beaney & Jean Littlejohn many years ago.  I decided to have them framed for the 2020 CVCEGA exhibit which was cancelled due to COVID-19.

Drawn Thread

 This drawn thread hand towel was started long ago and finished in 2019.

Ripples

 

Ripples was completed in early 2019.

Techniques and materials:

·        oak leaf image printed on congress cloth

·        ripples backstitched on congress cloth with cotton floss

Design size: 4.125” x 10.125”

Dimensions: 11.875” height x 5.871” width x 1.25” depth

On a windy day, oak leaves fall onto water.  Ripples emanate from the leaves, echoing the shapes of the leaves until they interact with ripples from neighboring leaves. 

The ripples of some leaves are free to reverberate in many directions.  Others are immediately constrained.  As the wind blows, the relationships will change, some closer and others farther apart.

Is closeness support or a limitation? 

Does separation enable expression or prevent communication? 

Blackwork & Roseground

 

Blackwork & Roseground was completed early in 2020.  

Techniques: blackwork embroidery and roseground bobbin lace

Materials: Cotton embroidery floss red, Lugana 25 count cream

Design size: 3.6” w x 6.2” h (stitched area)

Total dimensions: 6” w x 12” h

Inspiration: Making roseground bobbin lace brought to mind the rhythm of the second movement of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata and linear patterns of blackwork.  Bobbin lace weaves thread stored on pairs of bobbins.  In blackwork one thread stitches over then under the fabric while the other stitches under then over. 

Challenge: Using continuous threads, stitch blackwork then flow into roseground   Figure out how to support the fabric for each technique and how to transition between techniques. 

 

Another Angry Bird

Here's the second Angry Bird that was completed early in 2020.  

Techniques: bobbin lace, Kumihimo braids, couching/sewing

Materials: pearl cotton, flower thread, unidentified ground fabric from stash

Design size: 11 5/8” w x 13 5/8” h

Total dimensions: 12 7/8” w x 14 7/8” h

Inspiration: 2” squares, randomly selected from large sheet of random ink marks, made an image suggesting an angry bird. 

Motivation: Fiber Forum workshop instructor suggested that I try making this in lace. 

Challenge: Recreate irregular broad lines from the drawing in thread using lace and embroidery techniques.

Solution:

Bobbin lace tape and braids for the bird.

Kumihimo flat braids for other broad lines.

Trailing threads from tapes and braids arranged to form foliage and roots.