Over the past ten days or so I have been wishing for a good rainy day so that I can snuggle inside and do some hand sewing.
However, though every weather forecast claimed that it was raining, it was actually lovely and sunny and I spent my days outside potting on seedlings and trying (and failing) to keep on top of the weeding.
Today it was a bit drizzly - weather I would normally brave - but I declared it a wet day and indulged myself with some sewing.
The reason for this is that I recently acquired a stash of vintage embroidery silks - one is fabulously labelled "Flosette for Flourishing etc" - and I have been using them to make up a selection of one off cushions. Until today it has all been evening work and therefore very slow but today I have been able to work without children and with the table all to myself.
To make the cushion bodies I am using vintage wool blankets which I have felted and dyed. My favourite is a soft raspberry pink and the panel will be the vase of flowers shown half sewn above. I might put it on the website.
Obviously I can't spend all my time embroidering flowers so I am considering putting together kits with everything to make the cushions - embroidery, hoop, vintage linen, cushion cover, silks and buttons etc. I am not sure whether there is a market though. Feedback would be appreciated.
13 comments:
Hi Jane,
Thanks for your lovely comment, we had such a great time I'm already planning the second visit!
What fantastic embroidery, it must take you hours - I can't wait to see the finished article :)
I'll check back, have a good, damp day!
Those silks look lovely, yes please do show us how it progresses.
What a great idea - would be a nice kit if you could use vintage hoops as well...? I like the sound of that pink colour, you must show some pics.
The weather has been lousy down here, rain all week and I need to get to the allotment.
Glad to hear about little pup!
Yes, I think it sound like a good idea. Ideal for lazy people like me who would like to have a go at making their own cushion but never quite gets round to getting all the things required together!
What dye did you use on your blankets?
I have an old cream one ready for some experimentation.
Hi Jane,
Your sewing is lovely.I used to do cross stitch samplers years ago, before the eyes went and I could thread a needle first time.
You have reminded me that I used to make little kits,fabric,needle,threads and a little pattern/design with instructions.
Noticed you have added me to your page , thankyou.
Milly x
Lynn - I had great intentions of faffing about with dyes - I have a great pile of blankets for when I am ready to do the plant dying in the summer.
In the end though I decided to do it today, which meant getting dye from the ironmongers in Balfron - a fabulous shop with everything in very small quantities. So I had a choice of cold dye turquoise or machine dye red and brown. I took all three - all dylon. The machine dye worked best i.e. strongest colour but couldn't be re-used to get different tones.
Next time I am going to use the wee tin of cold dye but use more of it and then dye a few bits in tones.
J
x
I imagine there would be a market indeed. great idea! try sellign tehm on ebay ask country craft angel how she does it..
I also think there would be a market. Wish I could sew; am hopelessly non-crafty.
Me again - I just looked properly at your profile - I also really love Brother of the More Famous Jack and Morgan's Passing! Both my favourites of their respective authors. I used to belong to a book club where I recommended both - and both got thumbs down by lots of people - I couldn't believe it!
Hi Jane
I think that the kits are a great idea and I am sure that there would be a market for them. There are plenty of people who like the idea of making something, but don't want the trouble of sourcing all the parts of their project.
Let us see how the cushion turns out.
Marie x
Those kits sound like a great idea, sometimes it's just easier to have everythng ready and assembled for you! Your embroidery looks beautiful. Still raining down here. the grass is getting so high! have a good weekend
Kim x
Thanks for all your lovely comments. I think that I shall give the kits a go - I know that I would only try somthing like maquetry or basketmaking if I had all the bits - otherwise I would intend to do it but never quite get round to it,
J
x
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