Still Waters - woven swan

I have always loved the tranquillity of swans when they are swimming and thought a swan would be a suitable subject for a weaving entitled Still Waters.

I found some pictures and then drew a cartoon for my weaving frame.

I drew very simple lines onto the warp threads and then wove the reflection and the water. Using a textured thread I wove some bubbles on the surface of the water

The body of the swan was woven with two different types of yarn, a smooth and an eyelash yarn to give the effect of feathers.
The weaving was cut from the frame and will be mounted in a ring.

Weaving cut from frame.

Close-up of swan.

Finished weaving mounted in a circular frame.

Tote Bag

This month I am leading a workshop on a follow-up to using Colourcraft art materials. I thought of making a tote bag in fabric and decorating it with some of the techniques we had learnt with Colourcraft and then embroidering over the top. [See some of the ideas below]

Patterned bag with evolon pocket

Close up of pocket decorated with Markal and stitch.

Bag stamped with wood block and embroidered

Bag decorated with angelina circles and stitch

Bag shape decorated with Markal, applique, print and stitch.

Bag shape to show wadding

It is much easier to embellish the bag before stitching together, then sew side seams on bag and wadding as one, followed by the lining. So you end up with 2 bags after you have sewn across the bottom to make the bases.

After stitching the bases you make the straps using two pieces cut 5" x 32".

The straps are ironed long-wise in half, then opened out and then folded to the centre and then in half again making the strap 4 layers thick. They are then stitched both sides and stitched to the top of the bag as below.

The two bags are then put inside of each other right sides together. The top is then stitched around leaving a gap at the back between the handles.

The bag is then turned the right way around so all seams are on the inside and the gap is closed with slip stitch. The top of the bag is then machined to keep the lining in place and below you see the bag.