Thursday 22 October 2009

Module 2 'Metallic Magic' or 'all that glitters....'

Chapter 2, asks for couching to attach 'metallic' threads both conventional and unconventional. here follows my hand stitched samples. i used a wool flannel dyed navy blue. the first few samples are 'traditional' ways of couching threads. many of my couched threads are unconventional though. i realise i put no measurements on the photos but the above measures 8cm x 4cm approx. i have used a blue DMC metallic stranded thread with a cotton perle couching thread. the silver vertical pieces are metallic 'scoobies' cut into short lengths.
next one, above: i have used the same DMC thread with cut-outs from a 'Tunnocks teacake' wrapper, mmm.... couching worked with a silk thread. 7cm x 4cm.
Next above: the wool background has been stencilled with metallic fabric paint to give added depth. the shapes are taken from shapes made by the movement of the hand in mid air when writing. the silver stranded thread was couched with silk. 9cm x 6cm approx.
a simple swirly patter that ended in a sort of 1950's triangle! threads as previous samples. 6cm x 5cm.
going for a more unconventional approach in the above sample i have used a gold card cut from a chocolate box with strips of woven metal 'fabric', all couched with a fine metallic thread. 8cm x 6cm.
above: various 'metallic' strips couched with silk thread. from top metallic Tyvek, gold 'brown' paper, vacuum packed coffee wrapper, chocolate wrapper and 'silver' parchment paper. all quite tricky to cut out but i am rather pleased with the effect achieved. 11cm x 8cm.
next one, trying to think of different ways of couching things down, the above metallic card pieces are couched with staples. 11cm x 8cm.
after my trip to ally pally i thought i would like to try knitting with plastic bags. the above is an experiment with vacuum packed coffee wrapper, which is thicker than a plastic bag and has a plastic coating over the foil. i cut strips and knitted them and then heat set with an iron. couched with silk. 11cm x 8cm.
above, the following are worked on a maroon wool flannel, twisted silver wire, couched with silk through the twisted 'purl' bits. 10cm x 6cm.
using a crocheted silver wire with random couching in silk thread. 10cm x 6cm.
above sample i have used a traditional metal wire strip from a collection of old threads used for 'goldwork' and couched it with silk thread. 10cm x 6cm.
i found these pins some time ago thinking they might come in useful and so they have! couched with silk thread. 10cm x 6cm. my next samples will be different ways of couching threads etc. using the sewing machine.

3 comments:

  1. Oh boy! I am not worthy to lick your boots, lady! Love your couching. Even the stapled card sample looks terrific. I like the "or nue" effect of the 2nd one down and also the one where you've stencilled the background. You've really pushed back the boundaries. Anne

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  2. What a brilliant start to module 2! My favourites are the two using silver wire. Can't wait to see what you do next. Jane

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  3. These are wonderful samples. Love how you've got your graffiti influence still running through it.
    Helen

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