Hand Stitching ONLINE: Theme #3: Texture

Please join me for the Fall 2020 Hand Stitching class! Five 2.5 hour sessions (10:00 AM - 3:30 PM eastern US time) starting on Wednesday, September 30. For more information and to register: https://www.theartleague.org/shop/class/online/hand-stitching/

Jude J: Texture Stitch Challenge

Texture was the theme for class #3 in the Spring session of Hand Stitching ONLINE (offered through The Art League School). Discussion focused on the concepts of Actual Texture (texture you can touch) versus Visual Texture (the representation of texture using marks) in art. Marks made with hand stitching can cover both categories as seen above in Jude J.'s piece. The marks created with stitch are representative of a nest or fur (visually) but one could also feel the actual texture of the raised stitches on the fabric's surface.

Barbara B. Texture Stitch Sampler

Another topic discussed was that of Stitch Density. Dense areas of stitching are more effective when surrounded by areas of less dense stitching.

Barbara B. Texture Stitch Challenge

In this class session, students were also challenged to create a "new" stitch by combining stitches covered in the first three sessions. Jill B. met the challenge and even drew these beautiful illustrations! 

"New" stitches by Jill B.

Sampler of "new" stitches by Jill B.

I continue to be inspired by watching my students explore each class theme. I hope you enjoy viewing their work with a focus on Texture.

Jill B.: Texture Stitch Challenge

Carolyn L.: Texture Stitch Sampler

Irene C.: Texture Stitch Sampler

Kristin A.: Texture Stitch Challenge

Judy P.: Texture Stitch Challenge using commercial fabric

Martha P.: Texture Stitch Challenge

Myania M.: Texture Stitch Challenge

Roberta A.: Texture Stitch Challenge

Sherry W.: Texture Stitch Sampler

Susan T.: Texture Stitch Challenge using hand painted fabric.

Susan T.: Texture Stitch Challenge using hand painted fabric

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!

Experimental Hand Stitching at VCQ

Stitch Challenge by Cindy M.

Yesterday I taught my Experimental Hand Stitching workshop at the Virginia Consortium of Quilters. This quilt guild is made up of members from all over the state of Virginia. They have four meetings a year, rotating to different areas of the state. At each meeting, the members have the opportunity to choose from a selection of classes. These are very dedicated members! Most of my students drove 2-3 hours (or more!) to get to yesterday's meeting and workshops.

What a wonderful group I had. All of them eager to play with basic hand stitches and explore the many possible ways to stretch and change them. Each student made a sampler and started on a Challenge piece. Apologies for the so-so photos. They really did great work! Thanks to all of you for journeying so far to spend the day with me!

Stitch Challenge by Betsy P.

Stitch Challenge by Betty B.

Stitch Challenge by Ceil K.

Stitch Challenge by Debbee D.

Stitch Challenge by Karin R.

Stitch Challenge by Sherry W.

Stitch Challenge by Lynn G.

Stitch Challenge by Shar

Stitch Challenge by Sharon D.

Stitch Challenge by Teena C.