Pouch in slow stitching - in progress

Fabric pouch; approximately 5in x 8in with pocket; embroidery and hand stitched patchwork

Basic patch layouts, silk, and cotton on a linen backing.

Back of the backing - here's where all the knots are

Edges are stitched to reduce fraying.

This is much of the embroidery so next comes the edge binding, lining, and construction of the pouch and closure.

If you want to see more everyday photos of what I am doing, I post frequently on Instagram @journalofathousandlives

 

Red capelet in linen silk and mohair

Capelet, size US 3 cable needle - 24 in., linen, mohair and silk cast on 310 stitches

The linen is a rather stiff yarn so it does interesting things to the silk and mohair, which is rather soft and fluffy.  I alternated rows with each yarn knitted for one row.

Weeks later... the fine gauge makes for slow going.

Months later...

Off the needles and ready for finishing!

If you want to see more everyday photos of what I am doing I post frequently on Instagram @journalofathousandlives

 

Capitals in my journal

These capitals are free-hand on graph paper done as drawing exercizes.

Gel pens, clored pencils

Colored pencils

Gel pens and felt tip markers

Gel pens and felt tip markers

gel pens and colored pencils

Gel pens

Ball point pen

Crayon

Gel pens

 

Cotton Ribbon Basket Prototype

Basket, cotton ribbon, crochet, size G aluminum hook

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I began with a vaguely square bottom and then stopped increasing at about 4 in. x 4 in. or 10cm x 10cm

At this stage the bottom wasn't very stable.

I added a foot, so it's a footed basket.

The cotton strips that make up the ribbon are knotted together, which meant a lot of cute knot tails, but not a nice inside for the basket.  How to finish?

I untied all the knots and sewed the ends down with running stitch. It was very labor intensive, to the degree that I probably won't use the same techniques again.  

In profile - there may be embellishments of embroidery or applique.

If you want to see more everyday photos of what I am doing I post frequently on Instagram @journalofathousandlives

 

Quilt Repair

I'm always up for a mend or repair challenge and so I took on this decades old quilt when my friend Taunia asked me for the favor. It was rather daunting since many hands had worked on it in the past and it had mostly been assembled and repaired by machine.

After many assurances from Taunia that I was free to do whatever I wanted and take as much time as I needed, I began to go over the quilt in a row by row examination of where the various problems were.

I didn't want to significantly alter the graphic design, but obviously some of the patches were disintegrated so I did sew over some of the more worn fabrics.  I made a rule for myself to only add materials and stitching.  I didn't want to try to take anything apart. Many areas were truly threadbare and it was challenging to figure out how to repair without completely changing huge sections.

Many seams were kaput and so frayed that I used patches to re-construct both sashing and blocks. I was lucky to have a collection of white fabrics and I managed to match the whites in the quilt for the most part.  When that was not possible I used patches of very light colored fabrics that were designed by a friend who Taunia also knows, so there was a little bit of that significance added onto the quilt.

The binding was worn through in many places so I put together patches and went over the top of what still existed. The new cloth added some sturdiness.

I took several months but am very happy with the results.  I think I extended the life of this genuine folk quilt for another several years and didn't have to alter its essential character.  I enjoyed working with a quilt that has so much nostalgia and family meaning, and I think I added not only stitches and fabrics, but even more layers of meaning.

If you want to see more everyday photos of what I am doing I post frequently on Instagram @journalofathousandlives