Darning Sampler 2 is the latest addition to my darning series. A series of work celebrating the patterns and variations of the humble darning stitch.
Darning Sampler 2 – Cloth
The project started with a vintage glass cloth I discovered in my collection.
This soft, buttery and well worn cloth has a beautiful weave, and an iconic red and white logo runs through the centre. The cloth is easy to handle and provides a perfect blank space for layering and weaving the thread.
An iconic red and white logo running through the centre
I started with a test sample of Madeira Cotona thread to see how it stitched and just carried on stitching.
Madeira Cotona thread and a vintage glass cloth
By the end of the first day I’d completed two designs and was researching more.
A beautiful and buttery cloth to stitch
The act of repairing worn and damaged cloth often involves patching, mending and darning.
Darning Sampler 2 is inspired by a vintage glass cloth from my collection.
Embroiderers’ Guild Members Project 2024
The 2024 Members’ project from the Embroiderers’ Guild is based around repair. Darning Sampler 2 has been accepted and will be on exhibition at the Knitting and Stitching Shows this autumn.
“Repair, Restore, and Recreate have become buzz words …. We are all aware of the need to extend the life of what we use. But being textile artists, we also embrace the idea of enhancing and decorating textiles as we repair and/or restore them. What we repair and how, may now be far removed from the days of darning socks ….. The traditional patchwork quilts have evolved into memory quilts … Boro has moved beyond simply patching … Darning has gained a new life as a surface decoration. ” Embroiderers’ Guild.
I’m honoured to be taking part in A Letter in Mind 2024. An exhibition where all work is sold anonymously for £85 each to raise funds for the National Brain Appeal.
A letter in Mind 2024 raising funds for The National Brain Appeal
The theme of this year’s exhibition is ‘The Wonder of Colour’.
In this its 11th year, over 800 plus artworks will be on exhibition at Gallery Different, 14 Percy St, London W1T 1DR.
The gallery is open to the public on Tuesday 29 October, 10am-8pm and from Wednesday 30 October – Saturday 2 November 10am-6pm.
You will be able to preview the artworks online at aletterinmind.org from 11am on 30 October – and artworks will go on sale online on Thursday 31 October from 11am.
All proceeds will fund projects at The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery and UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology. The National Hospital in Queen Square is one of the world’s leading centres for the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with neurological and neuromuscular conditions. The Institute of Neurology has a world-class reputation for neuroscience. Its mission is to translate neuroscience discovery research into treatments for patients with neurological diseases, including stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS), brain cancer, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia among many others.
A Letter in Mind
“The idea is simple: use a plain, white envelope as your starting point to create an artwork based on a theme…. All proceeds from sales help to transform life for the millions of people affected by neurological and neuromuscular conditions in the UK. Last year, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of ALIM and saw the total raised exceed £300,000…. We provide much-needed funds to support The National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery and the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology …. One of the world’s leading centres for the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with neurological and neuromuscular conditions. These include stroke, multiple sclerosis, brain cancer, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia.
Each year hundreds of artists put time, effort and creativity into making unique artworks for ALIM. We are so grateful for the commitment of all contributing artists, some of whom have submitted work every year since the event launched in 2013! They come from across the UK and beyond, and include household names and professional artists, people who have been creating art for a lifetime and people who are just starting to dip their toe into drawing or painting.
Well-known contributors this year include: Orlanda Broom, Mark Dion, Polly Dunbar, Kevin Eldon, Mark Entwisle, James Fleet, Leigh Francis, Stephen Graham, Harry Hill, Frank Kiely, Anita Mangan, Ishbel Myerscough, Morag Myerscough, Chris Riddell, Dame Zandra Rhodes, Axel Scheffler, Indira Varma and Hannah Walters.
Set an alert for 11am on 29 October to preview the artworks, with sales launching at 11am on 31 October. We hope you find a piece you love!” A Letter in Mind.
I feel honoured to be part of A Letter in Mind 2024. It’s a charity that’s very close to my heart and one I’ve supported in previous years with my embroidered work.
A new exhibition at the House of Smalls called ‘The Time of Her Life IV’ prompted me to create a new piece of work called ‘Insomnia’ for the Dollhouse gallery.
The exhibition takes place at The House of Smalls, 103 Henderson Row, Stockbridge, Edinburgh EH3 5BB from the 28th September – 27th October 2024.
‘This exhibition will feature the very diverse and relatable work of women artists responding to their thoughts, feelings, and emotions as they traverse the restless waters of perimenopause, menopause, before and beyond. It’s always a very emotive, honest, powerful, funny, and uplifting show.’ ~ House of Smalls.
Artists in the exhibition
Insomnia
‘In the morning you beg to sleep more, in the afternoon you are dying to sleep, and at night you refuse to sleep’. – Unknown
Insomnia
Difficulty sleeping is one of the most common complaints of women during menopause.
Insomnia
Changes in our hormones during menopause can impact our mental health as well as our physical health. Feelings of anxiety, stress and depression are closely linked with insomnia.
Size 11.5 x 11.5cm. Machine and hand embroidered cotton cloth, Aurifil thread.
This piece forms part of a series of small works created for the House of Smalls.
Update October 2024:
Thank you Amy Oliver for the beautifully curated ‘The Time of Her Life IV’ exhibition.
Screenshot
Screenshot
The images include artwork by Linda Harvey, Maria Walker, Marilyn Kyle and Hayley Mills-Styles.
