Stitch Explorer challenge for July
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 7:05AMThis month we will look at contemporary embroidery as style. Although many people would say that contemporary embroidery is a free for all we can spot some key design features that often (not always) appear in contemporary styles.
For instance I am sure that in the future textile historians will write about the introduction of mixed media, found objects and the combination of techniques such as working on hand dyed or unusual back grounds.
This month the challenge is to incorporate something you would not normally use in embroidery. Think about using a hand dyed or unusual background fabric.
My sample includes using ring pulls form the top of drink cans and it was worked on a nylon curtain net. (click on the image for a larger size)
Have fun with this months challenge. I have established a Flickr group for those who want to use it. The name is Stitchexplorer
How to participate in the stitch explorer challenge
Stitch some samples that push this embroidery style
Blog it or put images somewhere online where people can see them. If you use flickr send them to the Stitchexplorer group
Come back to this post and leave a comment with your web address in it so that people can visit and see what you have done.
Note if when you leave a comment, if you fill in the form with your URL, it means that when people click on your name they will be taken to your blog.
The full guidelines for the challenge are here
As a side note:
My work in Progress Wednesdays will return next week. At the moment not much stitching is going on at the moment, but if I state I will back with my work in progress reports, I know I will do some!
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Reader Comments (9)
So sorry about your mum, but glad that you feel able to resume posting - they do say that absence makes the heart grow fonder and you have been greatly missed. I pray that God's love will surround and comfort you and your family and give you strength for the days ahead.
The Decorating Ideas present in this piece looks very intricately done. Was this done by hand?
Sam - yes it was all done by hand. Although I can and do occasionally use the sewing machine to embellish a surface I actually enjoy the process of hand embroidery most
Sharon I have posted pics at Flickr and my blog. I'll be working more on them through the month.
Welcome back.
http://crazyqstitcher.wordpress.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/crazyqstitcher/
This challenge made think of my first-aid box! I don't know why, but it inspired me for my first experiment in contemporary embroidery. I wrote about it here:
http://fat-quarter.blogspot.com/2009/07/contemporary-embroidery-1.html
It was not easy for me to find something to do. But while we were wallpapering our new house, I suddenly thought: why not stitch on wallpaper? The result of this little experiment is shown in the Stitch Explorer Flickr group: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24823820@N03/3802707413/in/pool-1054717@N22
This topic was interesting, but maybe a bit too vague. I did two mixed media samples using moldingpaste and gesso.
preparatory work for my modern samples
Stitchery using gesso and molding paste
I have been thinking and planning my piece for this challenge. I actually started it today, but my heart is not in it. So, it is now in the bin!
Hi Sharon,
I posted my piece for this challenge on the flickr site and on my blog. I wish I had started it sooner; now my head is spinning with ideas for other odd things to use in embroidery! Thanks so much for these challenges - they stretch the brain. I spent too much time on Vacation Bible School crafts and wished I could have done more with your challenge ideas.
Lin Moon