Stitch-In April 2017

Beautiful shibori-dyed and hand stitch cloth that Ann Z. purchased in Massachusetts.

Still in catch-up mode. Here's what folks were working on at the April Stitch-In...such a variety!

We had two doll makers at the Stitch-In this month, Erika C. and Sandra O.
Erika is continuing work on her Conant Grant project: Re-Imagining Flip Dolls. She brought in a number of dolls, including these beautiful subtle ones in neutrals and white.

Flip dolls by Erika C.

Flip dolls by Erika C.

She also brought in the prototype for her Flip Doll Challenge using sticks as an armature. Erika is looking for people to take part in the Challenge which will become part of a gallery exhibit in early 2018. For more information about taking part go here.

Erika C.: Flip Doll Challenge prototype side one.

Erika C.: Flip Doll Challenge prototype side two.

Sandra brought in a "bottle" doll...worked around an empty soda bottle. Sorry that I didn't get a great photo of the face...it was exquisite!

Sandra O.: Bottle doll.

Here is a detail that will be appliqued to the doll.

Sandra and I met almost 20 years ago when she took my Fiber Sculpture workshop. Here is the doll that she made during that workshop (now owned by a student in my Hand Stitching Continued class...small world!).

Sandra O.: Wire armature doll.

And here is a chair piece that she started in the same class.

Sandra O.: Wire armature chair

Ann Z. brought in a book that she made in a class...combining paper, cloth, printing, and stitching.

Ann Z.

Ann Z.

She also brought in a few of her healing cloths...that she is making with Peggy G. as part of a church project. You can see some of  Peggy's cloths in this post.

Ann Z.

Ann Z.

Ann Z.

Cheryl C.was working on a piece for the Jumpstart in Hand Stitching workshop (The Art League School). You can see the final piece here.

Cheryl C.

Diana G. brought along some of her pieces started in the Boro and Beyond workshop that I taught at Artistic Artifacts this spring. I just love the subtle palette!

Diana G.: From Boro and Beyond workshop

Diana G.: From Boro and Beyond workshop

Holly C. was working on a large piece using a black table runner that she purchased at Ikea (she's found linen yardage there too!). Great experimenting with simple stitches!

Holly C.

Some amazing purchased textiles made there way to the Stitch-In. Ann Z brought the piece at the top of this post (I'm coveting this!!)...it's shibori-dyed and then completely stitched with Running stitch.

Cheryl brought in two embroidered pieces that caught her eye at an auction.

Cheryl C.: Purchased stitched piece

Cheryl C.: Purchased stitch piece.

Detail.

As usual...lots of great discussions and sharing! I so enjoy this get together every month!

Stitch-In February 2017

Erika C. Flip Doll Torso side one.

I'm finishing up the backlog of blog posts!

The Stitch-In!

For the February Stitch-In we had a large group (12) and a number of large pieces!

Erika C.: Hand painted and stitched whale.

Erika C.: Side two of the flip doll.

Erika C. brought in her life-size flip doll...part of her Potomac Fiber Arts Guild grant project. She is finishing up the torso and skirt before working on the heads of this two-part doll. I love the details...all the hand-painted and hand-stitched animals. I can't wait to see how this piece continues to progress! It will be part of an exhibit at her gallery at the Torpedo Factory Art Center and also her grant project exhibit. To find out more about Erika's work: http://www.transformativehealingdolls.com/

Holly C.: Finished art quilt featuring hand dyed, painted and stitched work.

Holly C.: Detail.

Holly C.: Detail.

Another large piece was this art quilt by Holly C. This piece was painted by Holly and includes both hand and machine stitching. She is planning to enter it in a show.

Barbara C.

Barbara C.: Detail.

Barbara C. is also starting in on a large piece. Love the shape of the hummingbird...looking forward to seeing where this piece goes.

Ann Z.: Sculpture

Jodie F.: Sculpture

Ann Z. and Jodie F. both worked on their sculptures for the Hand Stitching Continued class. You can see finished sculptures here.

Kate M. working on her Healing Cloth.

Peggy G.: Working on a new Healing Cloth.

Kate and Peggy were both working on Healing Cloths. Kate started hers in the Fall Healing Cloth workshop (I'm holding this workshop again in June.). Peggy is planning (along with Ann Z.) to create Healing Cloths for members of her church in need of healing.

Imani R.

Imani brought in her completed fabric collage. She is working on a number of large dolls for an upcoming show. Imani is both a clothing designer and doll maker. Here is a link to her website:  http://indigosfriends.com/about/

Sampler that Cheryl C. brought in to share.

Cheryl brought in this sampler that she purchased at a flea market. She is starting in on a new series that jumps off from the sayings and sampler concept...really cutting edge stuff! She's in the seminal stages and asked that I wait to share.

Another great month...thanks stitchers!!

Stitch-In January 2017

Holly C.: Hand stitching on linen.

Yes....I know that it's the middle of March! I'm playing catch-up with my posts. Since the March Stitch-In is this coming Sunday...I figured I better catch up on the past couple of months. Tomorrow I'll feature the February Stitch-In.

We met in a new space (at The Art League School) very close to my classroom. The advantage to this space...lots of table space that was already set up, decent lighting and great parking! We had our largest turnout for the Stitch-In to date...11 people!

I didn't manage to photograph everyone's work but I hope this selection gives you an idea of the range of work that the members are creating.

Holly C.

Holly C.: Hand and machine stitching.

Holly C.: Hand and machine stitching.

Holly C.

Holly C.

Holly is working on a series of linen squares using black DMC floss (all 6 strands) and machine stitching. When I first saw her pieces, I thought that she had drawn the images in pen and ink or marker!

Carol R.

Carol is continuing with her purse/handbag series. She hand printed and dyed this fabric and is now adding stitched details.

Debbie S.

Debbie is adding stitching and beading embellishment to this indigo-dyed scarf.

Susan G.

Susan worked on a piece for the Hand Stitching Continued class. You can see the finished piece here.

Imani R.

Imani was inspired to create this new piece after taking the Jumpstart in Hand Stitching workshop. Her fabrics were from an Inspiration Pack from Artistic Artifacts.

Erika C.: This is one side of a "flip doll". This side is about Erika's daughter.

Erika C.: This is the other ("flip") side that is about her son.

Erika brought a wonderful flip doll that she is creating as a sample for her Potomac Fiber Arts Guild grant project. She will be teaching a flip doll workshop based on this sample in 2018

It's always inspiring to get together and see all the different projects that members are creating!

December 2016 Stitch-In

Roxana F.: Boro Crazy Quilt style

We just had the last Stitch-In of 2016. It was great to get together for stitching and sharing.

Roxana brought in a piece that started with some of her Boro and Beyond workshop samplers. I think it's still going to be a purse...but has now morphed into a Crazy Quilt style. So fun! During the Stitch-In, Roxana worked on a set of fabric cuffs that she'd stenciled and cut (reverse applique).

Roxana F.: Reverse applique cuff.

Helen brought in a piece that she's been stitching off and on (sort of a meditation cloth).

Helen B.: Meditation cloth

She also sent along a photo of her finished hanging.

Helen B.

Susan continues to add to her collection of black and white and red squares (love that spot of red from the pin!).

Susan P.

Barbara brought in some of her little house patterns and almost completed one during the Stitch-In.

Barbara C.

Barbara C.: House

She sent along some photos of the little village she's created of cloth houses.

Barbara C.

Barbara C.: Village

She also shocked us with her fearlessness.... Remember this piece?

Barbara C.: India piece.

Well, Barbara cut it apart to make the clothing for a series of little dolls!

Barbara C.: Dolls.

Cheryl completed her safety pin piece started in the previous Stitch-In.

Cheryl C.

I forgot to bring an envelope for the cash we bring to rent the room. So I decided to stitch one using an upholstery fabric swatch donated by Helen. That was actually fun!

Julie B.

It was a great year of Stitch-Ins! Looking forward to more in 2017.