Steampunk Jacket update

I first mentioned a new project here on Sunday 12 April.  That's when I started making my own background fabric - 2 metres x 150 cm wide.  My usual madness!!  I have completed the first pass of stitching and the fabric as been rolled as I have stitched as I have very little work surface space in my workroom.

Now I am ready for the second pass to stitch the black figures of 8 over the surface, working from the back - so I will be rolling it back the other way.  I know that this will be even harder especially when I get half way!! But, hey that's how madly I work :-).

 
 Here is the first row from the front.  It has only taken 3 weeks for pass 1 so another 3 weeks or so for pass 2 :-) Then I will show you the next step for the background fabric.  Still a while before I cut out the actual jacket !

Oh No Not again :-) and update on Iris work

OK so its day three of sorting out stuff:  decided it was time to sort these two areas - the drawers and the bead/button stack - so these:

Became these:

 AND I found I have 24 pairs of scissors in my workroom  and 5 dressmakers tape measurers !  Wonder where they all came from :-)

 Late last night I finished the first 'flat Iris' for the Van Gogh jacket.  The central petal needs to be a little slimmer at the top left,

Back to work :-)

OK so after the mega tidying session it's time to get back to some art work ;-)

I have dyed some white fabric and lace yellow ready for the sunflowers:

I have now made all the free standing petals for the practice iris - laid down on the desk (pic below) - think it will work.

 

Today it is the day to start the first of the flat Iris flowers - in the right colours - blue

What do you do at silly o'clock?

What do you do when you wake up at 4.30 on a Sunday morning - not feeling too well?  Well I made a top!  If it works it works - if not it will be cut up an reused (or sold :-) ).
I used up white cotton fabric, scrim and some old lace together with some old die cuts and create this...

Here it is on me - looks a little stiff at the moment but it will soften (I hope).

 Then it went in the dye bath -

I will update when its done.  Fingers crossed.

UPDATE:  Fresh from the wash - still wet  so will be lighter!!  Looks good at the moment....

Happy Christmas to all

As some of you know I have not been too well recently - things are not much better - scan showed some unexpected issues but no main reason for the stomach issues which are getting worse.  Anyway - this has meant that I have not really felt like doing very much - not even wanted to blog!  To make amends - a quick update....
During my weekend away recently (when the Christmas fairies invaded my house - see last blog) I did start a new garment project.  These pics show where I have got to so far - I do have to say that the stamped bits you see in the pics will be covered and the jacket will have sleeves..  I am just using up old over dyed fabrics and bits. The main fabric had been created many many years ago when I was doing the Surface Decorating C&G Course with Val Campbell Harding and had been yardage  for a 'sea' themed roller blind for my bathroom - but I moved house and did not have a big enough window any more - so the stamping and stencilling will be covered up.
Front view

Back view

Close up of godets and the different fabrics used

I hope my enthusiasm will come back in 2014, maybe I need to set myself a creative challenge - any ideas?? For the moment I wish you all:

Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia

i Szczesliwego Nowego Roku

(translated - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year)

Klimt jacket complete and some New York pieces

So  as promised - The Klimt Jacket is complete and it does fit me (needs a good pressing now) - These are pictures of the lace I made for the collar and cuffs...

Pics do not do it justice - Front and side

Back view 

 Oh and I must share this photo with you - look at the size of the scones Pete made for us during our stay at Kingcombe.... They were truly yummy.

 Below are pictures of two of my New York stitched pictures - the top one is a fabric collage with free machine stitching,  The bottom one is free stitching only.

Busy !

I had a brilliant weekend with my friends from MEG (Machine Embroidery Group). I finished cutting the holes in the White Rabbit's Pocket Watch 

and worked on the inside - this is where I have got to so far.  

I also worked on my Klimt Jacket - coming along nicely...

And yesterday I had my first full portion of baby carrots from my veg bed - lightly steamed and topped with button - yummy!!!

White Rabbit Pocket Watch, Klimt etc

I have tried to keep busy this bank holiday. Lots of photos but not much progress as I keep going from one thing to another.You may remember I made a few miles of cord ready for the White Rabit's Pocket watch - (which I lost interest in) so I thought I aught to get on with the watch.


Here is stage one - this is the outer watch case (cover) - I am machining over water soluble fabric and rust dyed twinkle organza (which I may burn away). The design is drawn on the water soluble.

 Stage two - lots of stitching....

 Stage three - the brown stitching done.

Next it was stitching the outline cord.  First centre circle.








Currently on the spokes - this is soooooooooooo time consuming!!

I have also cut out the Klimt Jacket - (fabric laid on the kitchen table) not done much else with it yet...

 I hope to use up these....... on the jacket.

I also cut out another top - trying the pattern once again but this time using a stretchy fabric. Not done much else other than cut it out!