Machine embroidery - reverse applique techniques

Back at the machine embroidery course today and this week we covered applique techniques.

I also encountered 'reverse' applique for the first time - embroidery is used over layers of fabric. then shaped sections are then cut away to reveal the background fabrics. The background fabrics can be layers of different colours and textures, which when cut away enhance the design. 

The fun bit is remembering where each colour is - bit like a treasure hunt! The process is quite addictive :)

Pink machine embroidery sample

   

Green, yellow and blue samples to complete the set

For my finished piece, I'm going to incorporate four simple large squares, each containing a butterfly shape. The background will be filled with patterns to give a wonderful texture, layered fabrics will bring a range of colours and the sections of applique will provide depth.

The first butterfly has a pink dyed cotton on the top and have planned a green, yellow and blue version for the top colour of the other samples.

Gigantic hands!

Over the next few weeks it's going to be a busy month at Festive Road HQ working on the Magna Carta Giants project. I'll be making 40 giant hands using wire, recycled pillow wadding and muslin.

Wire forms the basis for the Giant Hands

The hands will belong to Giant Barons that, once complete, will travel to Wiltshire ready to be decorated by local community groups. 

Once decorated, the finished Barons will then be making their appearance in Salisbury on 15th June to mark a special celebration marking 800 years since the signing of the Magna Carta!

Wadding gives the hands their form

The wonderful world of machine embroidery

Very excited to start a new workshop today - learning the art of free machine embroidery with textile artist, Jane Charles at Community Learning MK in Bletchley. 

Today we learnt how to set up our machines and test out this new technique using a small embroidery hoop. Had fun attempting to create shapes on the machine - it's quite different from ordinary sewing on the machine and the freedom of movement is going to take some getting used to! 

We also dyed plain fabrics in rich bright colours, ready to use for our embroidery samples. We need to leave these to develop overnight, so it will be exciting to see what patterns have emerged one they are rinsed out tomorrow.