New Books

via Instagram

I wouldn't be me if I didn't come home from a show without a couple of books, but I have only just realised how funny the combination of titles is. After two days at New Designers in the company of the wonderful team from Make it in Design and fellow students/alumni I can definitely say patterns are needed! 

New Designers

via Instagram Photo credit @ievakeli


Fell in love with these pieces by @ievakeli at New Designers yesterday . Heading off now for another day of colour and beauty. I'm helping out on stand A6 with the lovely team from Make it in Design.

Off to New Designers

via Instagram
Packing my overnight bag. So excited as I will be helping out on the Make It In Design stand tomorrow and Thursday afternoon at New Designers. Can't wait to see it all.

Severn Beach on a Hot Day

via Instagram

Even the mud in the estuary looks better in the sunshine. Look at those amazing patterns of cracks. Loving this heatwave 🌞

Gordano Textile Artists

via Instagram
So pleased for our group Gordano Textile Artists for this blog nomination.  Pop over and see what we are up to at http://gordanotextileartists.blogspot.com/.

On a roll

via Instagram

This week as part of the course I am doing - design ideas for gift wrap.  These were worked up in Photoshop from a scan of a 'thread sandwich'.

More Surface Pattern Designing

via Instagram

More practice on designing as part of the Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design course- this time a concept for a line of stationery.

Needing Inspiration

via Instagram

Feeling a bit stuck in my patternmaking so I have set out to create a batch of textures that I can scan and use in my designs. Step one is some rubbings.

Distractions.

via Instagram

Getting distracted from my work by sunshine and the scent of wisteria.

Spoonflower fabric

via Instagram

First sale of a fabric length on Spoonflower - so exciting! (You might recognise this grungy surface as the background to my series of engine embroideries).

Crazy Patchwork

via Instagram

It's amazing how far these fabric scraps will go. Three nice big crazy patchwork cushions for the sofa.

Celtic Triskele Brooches

I have just been adding these little brooches/badges to my Etsy shop - a little late for St Patrick's Day but hey ho.

I have been having great fun designing and making these, they are entirely embroidered onto a removable backing (badge film) then attached to a 25mm round pin back.   The challenge is to adjust the stitch density and pull so that the design holds together without any gaps and doesn't distort into an oval as it stitches. Having no background fabric means I can easily make them in any colour combination I fancy and I am also using up the offcuts of badge film left from making larger pieces.  If you would like me to make you one in a different colour scheme, just let me know.

Next step is to try them with thicker threads for a hand-stitched look and with some other motifs.