Back to Basics

Sample 1

Spent the day going back to basics with machine embroidery. In fact the samples I did to-day are not even free motion embroidery, but are done using the regular straight and zig-zag stitches on the machine.

Sample 1 is done on a patterned cotton background – overlaid with scraps of thin and thick fibers, with sheer chiffon on top.

The grid is then machined using regular straight stitch.

Sample 2

Sample 2 is done on the same patterned background as 1, with the same fibres and threads laid on top. Then a rather revolting piece of organza laid on top of the fibers. The top layer of organza is to stop the fibres from catching in the sewing machine foot.

I then machined on top using the built in patterns on the machine, changing the thread frequently.

Sample 3

The last sample is the same patterned cotton, with fragments of a variety of fabrics snipped and dropped onto the background. These were caught down using a regular straight stitch, then over stitched using a zig zag setting. While stitching I varied the width and length of the zig zag randomly across the work.

It is useful to revisit basic techniques from time to time – as I see them in a different light and can see applications for them now – that I might not have recognized 30 odd years ago. I have always disliked using the built in patterns on my sewing machine – but sample 2 has some nice bits of texture in it – and could be useful cut up and re pieced into a larger art work.