Many fiber artists have captured dry, lacy leaves in quilts. They lend themselves so well to lustrous threads and machine embroidery. But, as anyone who has tried to create thread-only designs can tell you, patience and a good water-soluble stabilizer are absolute musts.

Kathleen Laurel Sage uses machine embroidery, organza fabrics, water soluble and a soldering iron to make 3D vases, floral panels and fashion items.

The origins of embroidery can be traced back to the Warring States period in China (500-300BC) and to Sweden's Migration period (300-700AD), and some would argue that it hasn't changed much over the centuries:

I have done the things I set out in my last post and feel a lot happier with the work I have to send off for Project One. I have done some more drawing, and been spending quite a lot of time on res…

Thank you for all who read their way down to the end of my last post - it was much longer than first anticipated! I hope you've enjoyed visiting the blogs I nominated (apologies in advance for the Google-suggested translation for a certain sentence in Ingrid's post - I have suggested an alternative to Mr Google, but he's ignored me so far!). Right, where were we...free machining, I think! In class we have been continuing to practice our free machining skills, now using free motion stitching to "colour in" - in small areas (and demonstrated far better than I could, by people like Linda Miller and Gina Ferrari, here and here) but we've also used free machining to fill in, shade or add interest to larger areas: (again, demonstrated far batter than I could, by people like Dionne Swift). For stitching the small things, it is important to try and keep the stitches flowing, not too tiny, and with not too much overlapping - otherwise the background fabric gets tougher and tougher to stitch! Larger stitches also catch the light and glisten (particularly if you use machine embroidery rayon thread) and the glistening can help to disguise any missed bits! For stitching larger areas, it is also important to keep the stitches flowing - the key is to move the fabric (or hoop) smoothly and confidently, keep everything relaxed and smooooth.... Here's how we've got on with the small pieces (there are a lot of owls as I found some lovely ones just the right size to stitch on the Girl's violin music folder!) Di (going off-piste with her redwork owl!) Morag Lyndsay Owl in progress, but I can't remember who he belongs to! Sorry! Libby (owl in progress) Carole B (a robin in progress) Carole H Christine and last but not least, Judith...I'm a bit concerned about this Russian doll, she seems to have got herself into a bit of fistycuffs... Not everyone enjoyed working so small (and I must admit, I've not really done much of this intense, dense stitching - must be a reason!) Then again, the option to work bigger was a challenge as well! The idea I presented was to work in an abstract way, not worry about creating a picture, but just practice the stitching - keeping things flowing and smooth. I know not everyone is pleased with their results, but the point was not to create a pleasing composition but to practice the stitch! So I think all those who attempted this were very brave, to work in such an unstructured way: Jill Sorry - my brain has gone blank again and I can't remember whose this is! Maggie Lyndsay Morag (the bottom sample was over-painted after stitching) Kathy So we are going to continue our free machining, but not the abstract work! Next time we will be using free machining to applique again (but in a slightly different way) and to construct backgrounds. Until then!

A scrap of fabric that I was practicing a new transfer technique on. I think it's gonna work.

All finished, hope you like it....x

A beginner's guide to using a free motion foot on your sewing machine to do free motion quilting.

adventures with fiber and life

We are obsessed with dyeing fabrics. Today we are delighted to partner with method in their #fearnomess campaign with a DIY Natural Fabric Dye tutorial.

Embroidery art often seeks to mimic nature, but Australian visual artist Meredith Woolnough has a special technique we've never seen before. By using water-soluble fabric, her beautiful embroidery, which is inspired by nature's most graceful forms, gains a new dimension of lightness and delicacy.

Recently I've done a little free motion machine embroidery, or thread sketching. From some of the comments I received it's clear that this...

HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!! At the request of Janome customers, Janome is constantly developing new accessories that will add a touch of creativity to a project. This post today is particularly interesti…

Jessica Grady is an award-winning, innovative embroidery artist! She invites you to explore her curious world of tactile embroidery.

PDF Digital Sewing Pattern for Sheath Bell Sleeve Mini Dress with Keyhole VIDEO SEWING TUTORIAL: https://youtu.be/Ix7uGUpvFsQ Purchase Includes: Instruction Pamphlet Letter Sized Print A4 Sized Print A0 Sized Print 36"x48" Sized Print 9 Sizes Included: US 00-14 EU 30-46 UK 2-18 AU 2-18 *This pattern is for personal use only. Not to be used for commercial purposes. Thank you for respecting the rights of the designer. Copyright 2021. Detailed instructions are included to ensure you will be able to understand how to construct the garment. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me over Etsy and I will be sure to clear up your confusion. Required materials: -3 Yards (2.7 m) of at least 54” (1.37 m) Wide Fabric -1/4 Yard (.23 m) of at least 20“ (.5 m) Wide Interfacing Invisible Zipper: Sizes 0-6: 24” (61 cm), Sizes 8-14: 30” (76.2 cm) *You can find inexpensive long invisible zippers in these sizes at Wawak.com! -Optional: 1/2” (12.7 mm) wide bias tape. However, files include pattern and directions to make your own bias tape. -Scissors & Pins -Ruler -Sewing Machine -Serger *For finishing raw edges. If you do not have a serger, try a zig zag stitch on your home sewing machine Suggested Fabric: Light to medium-weight woven fabric or fabric with slight stretch. Example pictured above is sewn with lightweight woven chambray fabric. Printing: Print out at 100% scale on your home printer. Use the scale provided to double check printing has been done correctly. Make sure to match file with paper size (i.e. letter size file with letter size paper). Check out pdfplotting.com for inexpensive large format pattern printing. If printing out on your home printer, line up the edges of the sheets of paper and tape together. Do NOT overlap sheets of paper. Sewing Level: Advanced Written in English only *Purchase only includes the digital pattern files! NO TANGIBLE PRODUCT IS INCLUDED!* *This pattern is for personal use only. Not to be used for commercial purposes.* No Returns or Exchanges on Digital Purchases. Please reach out to me if you have any questions.

Bursting with ideas When inspiration fills my mind bursting to get out, my fingers are tingling, colours and textures are racing, and form is taking shape. This is when I can’t wait any longe…

“There is something about words. In expert hands, manipulated deftly, they take you prisoner. Wind themselves around your limbs like spider silk, and when you are so enthralled you cannot move, they pierce your skin, enter your blood, numb your...

92 p., 1 l. 28 cm

Sewing and Sowing in Central Scotland.

While it looks quite complex, working with thread and water soluble stabilizer is really quite easy and a lot of fun, and is one of my favorite methods of making thread art. This tutorial shows you…