Alice's Garden - March 2012

A successful week where we used a variety of books as our starting point for the week, including Alice in Wonderland, The Secret Garden and Tom's Midnight Garden. A couple of comments from participants:-

"I am thrilled with what I've achieved with your guidance and encouragement."

"This has been a fantastic week. I've got so any ideas 'buzzing' round my head."

Click on the thumbnails alongside the day's activities for larger images.

Saturday

Visit the Lost Gardens of Heligan to gain inspiration for the week.

Sunday

Text and Machine Embroidery

Using text as a starting point we looked at a variety of fonts to machine stitch our chosen text. The pieces shown, by Michele Tootell, Kate McLean and Rachael Green also include soluble pieces made on Monday.

Monday

Edges, Insertions and Soluble Fabric

Using soluble fabric we stitched flowers to embellish the text or to be used to join fabrics. We also looked at it as a stabiliser for the more delicate fabrics. Kate McLean used soluble as a support for angelina and stitch, Carolyn made soluble flowers to be applied to her Hyacinth background.

Tuesday

Although this was a free day, everyone stayed in the studio, stitching and developing samples and ideas for finished pieces.

Wednesday

Patterns and Textures with Metallic Materials

We used bronzing powder, angelina and puree tube to create backgrounds and small applique pieces. The pieces shown are by Carolyn Webb, Jacki Whitehead and Paula Hessian.

Thursday

Resists with Silk and Fabric Paints

All the normal silk paint techniques can be combined with fabric paint as a resist, if you are an accomplished silk painter maybe you don't need this. Pieces shown are by Michele Tootell and Jacki Whitehead who combined angelina to give the pheasant an irridescent collar.

Friday

Depart with Finished Pieces

The first piece shown is by Liz Haarer who completed a scene from Secret Garden showing the rusty key found that will open the door to the garden. The door is made from cords with a puree tube handle, covering text from the book. The ivy leaves are made on soluble fabric with stitch and angelina.

The second piece is by Sheena Wiffen who has made a number of icons representing items from Alice in Wonderland. The Cheshire Cat has a puree tube smile, the key with paint and bronzing powder, the heart was stitched on soluble fabric.