Member work

Member work

Saturday 12 June 2021

Lots of Spots ...

As anticipated, here are some members' fabulous spots and dots created in response to Kate Wells' challenge last week.

Judi said she enjoyed having a 'play' with mainly machine embroidery, and this collage shows the six samples she made.


For those who like to know what techniques were used, they are as follows, going clockwise from the large gold circle:

Small snippets of gold mesh fabric trapped between two pieces of silk organza and stitched in free motion circles. The centre was left unstitched and the organza cut away on top to reveal the snippets. 

The multi coloured metallic 'spots' were also trapped between organza and circles free machined using gold thread. Again, the top layer of organza was cut away, revealing the colours. 

Gold net was placed over cream calico, and small circles free machined using a black and white thread. Sequins and beads were added later. 

Some metallic cord was couched down by machine, using gold thread, on calico. The circle was then cut out and hand stitched onto black cotton fabric. Gold 'kid' leather spots were applied by hand, secured with a seed bead. 

A very fine black mesh fabric was placed over silk organza and a gold spot of plastic fabric was placed in the centre. Free motion circles were added, using the black and white thread again. Gold sequin flowers and beads  were added by hand. 

A piece of gold, sequinned ribbon was attached to white organza and free motion embroidery secured it in place. A circle of stitch was added to the centre, creating a spot, and more stitching around the outside. 

All six samples were then cut into 4" squares, backed with 'stitch & tear' and edge stitched in gold thread. Judi then put them in a previously made concertina book. 



Margherita used the following techniques:
Top sample below: hand-stitched star; French knots; sequins; machine stitch around the fabric.


Bottom sample: free-machined spirals; sequins; French knot spots.  


Sue C's piece on calico uses running stitch in various weights of thread, from sewing cotton to waxed repair thread. The gold spots are cut out of a tomato paste tube. 



The black piece below is all machine embroidered. Sue cut out holes and backed them with gold lace on black velvet, then applied spots in black and white, and stitched them with grey, white and metallic thread. 

She says, "I loved this workshop, the only problem was restricting myself to one spot of gold, which I haven't managed to do."


Gill is also someone who felt "very inspired by the incredibly talented Kate Wells and the talk she gave (so much so I could not get to sleep!). For the experimental stitch task we were set, I decided to use my sewing machine and play with my machine stitches and bobbin colours. I chose not to hand stitch, as I stitch so slowly.

"I was absolutely amazed at how much the other hand stitchers had got done and really admired all the beautiful and incredibly varied work which was shown by everyone.

I started off by experimenting on a small piece and then realised, as it was so quick to do, that I had plenty of time to make a little circular book, which can be hung up for display. It’s made from ten 2" paper circles, connected with a slight gap, backed on to a reused piece of tape. The three blank spaces are to have hand stitched spots hopefully quite soon, and then I will be able to cover the back of the circles and make a fastening to finish it off."




There must be lots more pieces in progress out there - so please do share your photos to inspire us. ( it@warwickshirestitchers.org.uk )





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