Rust Dyeing

On Tuesday I went to my embroiderers' meeting and this month it was rust dyeing. I took a lot of objects that would rust and some items like vinegar, tea, salt and a household cleaner that would activate the rusting process.
I used just cotton fabric but you can use various fabrics including silk,  paper also works well.
The fabric was dampened and then either
wrapped around objects or objects placed on the fabric.

I left some of the items 24 hours and some I left for up to 48 hours before rinsing and washing the fabric. Some of the results are below.

Square bolts dyed with tea and vinegar

Screws wrapped as in shibori and tacks places in the cotton

Wrapped steel wool and nails wrapped with lace in salt and vinegar.

Stitching applied to rust dyed fabric

I love the colours of rust dyeing and I have just stitched a few samples but I would like to have a go at a larger piece in the future!

More signs of Spring

At the end of last week I was out walking and to my surprise there are already a few lambs out gambolling in the winter sunshine. I didn't expect to see any before March but as you can see from the pictures these are not new borns.

The little male already has small horns and  I expect he would like a pair like his fathers!

What a handsome beast!

Paisley Peacock

Back in October 2017 the North West Region of the Embroiderers' Guild held their A.G.M.. In the afternoon I had devised the embroidery activity for the members but it was delivered by two other Branch members, as I was on holiday. Each member could choose a pre-stamped paisley shape on hand dyed material or design their own to embroider in any stitch or colours they chose.
When members had completed their paisley they returned it to me to apply to the machine embroidered peacock body to make the tail. 

It was like Christmas as little parcels kept dropping through my door. You can see some of the pretty embroidered paisleys below.

I made some machine cords to be the shafts of the feathers and applied them to the background.The paisleys were tried out in different positions until they looked pleasing. They were then machined in place with invisible thread

The paisleys were then linked together by machined lines.

I made a small feather stamp and applied it to the background to add interest, stitching around the edge.

The background was quilted with a turquoise variegated thread. The tail was finished by hand stitching back stitch woven wheels and wrapping a cord around the outside of each one.

The quilt was ready to be bound.
The paisley peacock has now been bound and a hanging sleeve applied to the back.
It is now finished and any branch of the North West Region Embroiderers' Guild can  borrow it for their exhibition.

Winter with signs of Spring

Last week there was a special full moon because of its relative closeness to the Earth.The night time weather was  frosty,  therefore, the moon was clearly visible at night and well into the following morning as you can see from the pictures below.

Despite the very cold nights Spring flowers are still progressing and I found snowdrops, crocus and heather flowering in my garden.

Since the above photographs were taken the weather has become colder with nighttime temperatures as low as -7C. I have also had some more snow which is hanging around so I will have a look tomorrow to see if I can find more signs of Spring.

More signs of Spring in the pictures below showing viburnum,winter jasmine and a white hellebore in bud.

Spring is definitely on its way.