February 2018 - 3D Vessels/Amazing Landscapes

Preston Embroiderers were treated to a wonderful workshop this month.
After we had heard the notices from Dee, we gathered round a table filled with amazing landscapes, seascapes and country views of all shapes and sizes. From above it looked like a countrified New York!! We were all excited at the prospect of making something like these superb items.

The tutor showed us each item on the table, pointing out the flora and fungi included in the design and showing us how to begin our own piece of work:
She provided us with a piece of fabric strong enough to take the weight of the material to be placed on it. She also provided some photos but we could use our own if we liked. She advised us to isolate part of the photo to work from but not to copy it, only for a basic idea. She used Dylon dyes in jars ,diluted with water  and brushed on in an irregular way.  Other pieces of material, paper, scrim, lace, felt and threads were also dyed. The paper used to mop up excess dye could also be used if scrunched up to make patterns.  All these were left to dry or ironed dry. We were advised us to use water sparingly with the dyes.

Everyone set to work and all sorts of sea and landscapes began to develop.  Lovely colours appeared as well and the dyes began to mix.

Those not doing the workshop, were busy working on their own projects in the back room, and having a chat, of course!

We had a quick lunch, then tidied our tables, setting up sewing machines and laying out our dried pieces.
Next we were shown how to layer our pieces, putting in pins vertically to enable us to machine over them later as well as how a frame on our layers made a great difference to what we decided to use. We could refer back to our photo or just redesign if we chose to 'be creative'. For pictures, paper was provided to make a frame. For vessels( the 3D items) the paper needed cutting into 3 strips.

We machined, using stitch length 3, the layered pictures, working from side to side vertically and randomly, just to make sure the layers stayed in place. Our pictures began to evolve as we worked, adding or taking away materials to get the correct texture. We also used heat
guns on materials such as scrim, voile and other man-made materials.  It was exciting to see the effect of the heat on these.

We were then shown how to make the vessels and the pictures.
​Again we set to work to make our textured pieces. Some interesting designs were produced. Of course we had no time to finish, so we laid out our work to be photographed and we were shown how to place a frame to get the best effect from our work. We could finish them at home by machine or hand embroidery​.

While all this was going on in the hall, other members were working on cushions being embroidered for the 70th anniversary of the twinning of Preston and Ahlemo, a town in Holland. Some were knitting, stitching beautiful embroidered roses, making a hedgehog made up of folded shapes and many other delights. The big picture, 'Bridge Over Troubled Water', being made up from squares is almost complete and Margaret and friends were working on that. Our stalwart members Stephanie, Sylvia and Elizabeth were continuing their work on the library, the shop and the office desk as usual. We all value their work.
A wonderful day was had by all.
I.P.