Tuesday 15 February 2011

Spirit Cloth 3

I'm so grateful for all the lovely comments I've had regarding my latest sewing project. Quite a few people have emailed and asked for details of the class (Jude Hill's 'Cloth to Cloth')....I hope you're now enjoying it as much as I am.
I decided to use ironed sari ribbons for my third Spirit Cloth...these are the colours from a skein I bought from The Threshing Barn in Staffordshire. It's a work in progress; I'm adding some tiny pieces of hand-made felt and there'll be lots more stitching.
The sari ribbon before ironing......

..and after.

I then discovered I could alter the ribbon by putting it through my embellishing machine...it ruches up like seersucker. I used a few of these mixed with the flat ironed ones.






I then tried it on other fabrics.
This is the effect on organza....





...and silk dupion. Saving these for future projects!



And finally....
I made this little landscape on my embellishing machine yesterday...I'm off now to do some hand-stitching on it.
BTW - if you're interested in embellishing machines, here's a link to see the Janome FM 725 in action. I found this on Lynn's excellent Squidoo page which is all about needle felting.
(She has a lovely give-away on her blog as well....definitely worth a visit.)
And absolutely finally....I can't go without a Peachy pic. He's currently kipping on his new mat (and yes...its a bath mat :-)

39 comments:

Shashi Nayagam said...

Can't stop being amazed by your creativity and talent. Wow love the piece and what great results you are getting with the embellishing machine. Love the effects.

ju-north said...

Love that little landscape - lots of possibilities!

Heather said...

Your spirit cloth is already beautiful - love the colours, and I love the results you got with the embellisher. I have a Janome FM 725 and love it - I just don't get to use it enough! Your little landscape is great. Peachy looks so relaxed - he could give classes.

Terri said...

Everything you have shared today inspires me! I love the rich colors and textures you use. Your Spirit Cloth is totally amazing. The sari ribbons so fabulous. And just look at the playing you are doing with your new machine! Wow! Those textiles look so gorgeous!
I am glad you are having such creative fun!
Hugs,
Terri

ShabbyChicShaz said...

Peachy is one lucky pussy cat, looks like he's smiling and I'm not surprised :) Love the landscape you've created and loving the textures you've getting with the stitching on the spirit cloth

Sweetpea said...

I think that I am very happy you have retired from teaching ;>}
and I've never been interested in using an embellisher machine until seeing what you've done here...
Thanks a lot [heavy sarcasm]!

Jensters said...

Linda ive just brought the Spirit Cloth Series and its well worth it...been through my fabric's today but dont have a great collection...so mine might be a little plain.....love every single one of yours....looked at them on the Flickr link.....love the sari ribbons and i do have a hank of those but never thought of using them!!! Take a peek at this as its what i did with them
http://jennie61.blogspot.com/2010/07/book-cover.html
Your work is so stunning.

Nancy said...

Your talents are endless......I love these spirit cloths you are creating....and the landscape, it's awesome.....YOu have inspired me to look into an enbellishing machine......

Peachy is one laid back cat....reminds me of my Simon.....

Maggi said...

Love the spirit cloth and what a good idea to use the sari silk - no cutting required. How come he didn't want to lie on his mat when I was there - just trying to prove you wrong I expect.

Bunty said...

Your latest spirit cloth is so vibrant and the sari ribbons look lovely. I will have a look at the Threshing Barn for sure.

I love the ruched effect your embellisher gives to fabric - the texture is beautiful. It would take a long time to try and recreate that look by hand!

Peachy looks sparko on his new mat and very cosy!!

Barbara x

Suztats said...

Love your spirit cloth #3! And the altered organza? Fabulous! Now I really wish I had an embellisher....

Anonymous said...

I see your favorite colors here...wonderful work. Peachy looks so keen on his mat. Xox corrine

Anonymous said...

Oh Linda..... your latest quilt is already so beautiful! Those colours just 'sing' together and I love the tiny details you are adding. You really are sooooo gifted and its always such a delight visiting here. Thank you!
Hugs Jo xxx

Lorraine said...

I love these spirit cloths your doing..what a good idea to use sari ribbons in this way..very clever. Must thank you for recommending graze boxes to me..you know what I had a lovely friday night glass of wine and graze box watching a dvd now I cant wait for my friday with my graze box something to look forward to especially after this half term week with the kids off..ha ha!

Netty said...

I know totally zilch about sewing but your Spirit Cloth is fabulous, so love all the different materials and techniques you've used....not that I understand them...but I love them. Annette x

Sandies' Patch said...

It's a wonder that Peacy wasn't napping on your spirit cloth, I find cats love to get between you and whatever you are doing....You see, they KNOW that they are more important, no matter what we say!
Love the embellished bits especially!

Sandie xx

Jan said...

I am thrilled with the colors you have used in this woven piece and love the hand work you are putting into it. Aren't these machines amazing, what they can do to a simple piece of fabric? It turns it into something entirely new! Have fun. Tell Peaches to relax for goodness sake!

Nancy said...

I meant to tell you yesterday that I love the new look of your blog.....great colors.....

I love it if you would come over and join my other blog as I think I am going to stop Butterfly Works.....
www.createdforajourney.blogspot.com

Hugs

Caterina Giglio said...

oh look at that Peachy, she looks so sweet! but we all know what a little minx she can be!! lol and thanks for the link on the machine, I love the embellishment on the sari ribbon, have been stitching it by hand...

Lynn said...

Your work is always incredible Linda, loving your spirit cloths, and I love the orange with the teals and blues on this one.
As for your needlfelting, WOW, it is awesome, I really hope to someday have that machine :)

Thanks for sharing my page with your fans :)

Janny said...

It's a gorgeous work again, love what you do with all these materials;o)Great solour use also!

Clare Wassermann said...

wow Linda your Jude cloth is beautiful - what colours - very Indian Summer ...
... gorgeous Puss - I love a stretched out Ginger Tom as you know!

Rosie said...

Everything you turn your hand to is beautiful, and so are you! A bit green with envy at the embellishing machine, not to mention the delicious Peachy ....

Val said...

Gorgeous colours Linda, and the textures are just wonderful. All that hand stitching adds such beauty to your Spirit Cloth - I can see why it is called a 'spirit' cloth!

Heloise said...

Lovely spirit cloth. I can see that you are enjoying making these. Do have any plans for making them into something?

Anjas-Artefaktotum said...

So amazing. love all your fantastic colorful creative sewing pieces!
Have a nice week,
Anja

Anonymous said...

Beautiful spirit cloths - I love your use of colour.

Judy S. said...

That Peachy is just too cute! I love your Spirit cloth. Isn't it amazing what a little ironing will do....along with your great work, of course. It's snowing here like crazy at the moment.....

*jean* said...

o linda, your spirit cloths are stunning! i'm hoping to get there someday...having too much fun painting right now...and thank you so much for telling me about kim klassen's PS classes...she rocks....(hi peachy)

Anonymous said...

I love your Spirit Cloth. The blue shade is gorgeous. It is my favorite color. Such creativity!
Peachy is such a sweetie : )

Anne Gaal said...

Hi, Linda! I love your latest Spirit Cloth project! The colors are so pretty together. And I think it is positively brilliant that you ruched some of the pieces, to vary the texture! Peach is soooo cute! :-)

Yvonne Moxon said...

Oh I love your choice of colours so bright and beautiful stitching.
Imso glad I finally remembered where I heard about Graze...lol

Connie said...

Beautiful quilt, blog and kitty cat!

Kiera-Oona said...

This is an amazing idea to reuse leftover sari material. I make alot of my bellydance gear out of older sari's and I think this is a wonderful way to reuse scraps. Especially since saris come in such amazing colors!

Crafting Queen said...

Wow, there are some wonderful creations on your blog. Love your ginger cat!

JGG said...

I should be getting ready for work - then I discovered your blog. I love the Spirit cloth, I can't wait until I have the time to look at all your wonderful creations - the job will have to wait today!

Kathryn Costa said...

Love the landscape and your cat looks so content. I'm feeling even more relaxed looking at your lovely feline. {soul hugs} k

~*~Patty S said...

Sew SO gorgeous!!!
I have been drawn to the sari ribbons as well...you have taken them to new heights!
you do get into the loveliest things dear Linda

Happy Spring and doesn't your Mr P look very relaxed and cute!!!
oxo

joanna said...

I am amazed! just beautiful!! you are such a talented lady, Linda!

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