The Stitchery of Catherine Hill, a Lancashire Lass
This is the latest of my latest Hand Embroidery samples – Detached Chain Stitch sewn onto Irish Linen, using threads including imitation silk, DMC stranded embroidery thread, hand dyed linen and waxed linen.
Last year I started a Hand Embroidery course. Having dabbled in embroidery over the years (mainly self taught), I thought it was time I learned how to embroider ‘properly’.
My main reason for taking part, was that the course encouraged students to experiment with lots of different fabrics and threads – think outside the box – and decide for themselves the pros and cons of each in their own work. Which means lots of playing for me!
For each stitch, I completed one of more experimental samples.
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| Experimental Sample – Fly Stitch on hand dyed wool blanket |
In addition to these samples I created more refined samples, using Irish Linen, for a lovely journal of needlework I am compiling (from Pink Pig in Huddersfield) – I love their books! Here is the first journal sample – Fly Stitch – created using threads including hand dyed linen, DMC stranded embroidery thread, imitation silk, Appleton Crewel wool and hand dyed extra fine silk.
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| Fly Stitch on Irish Linen for Journal
Experimental pieces below were completed on a Silk woven fabric. The threads used included hemp, wool, DMC stranded Embroidery thread and Sylko 50 weight sewing thread. I thoroughly enjoyed being given ‘permission’ to mess about with fabric and thread and learnt a great deal in the process.
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| Experimental Sample – Fly Stitch on woven silk |
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| Fly Stitch on woven silk |
Each finished sample has been stitched onto Elephant Dung paper from Frogmore Paper Mill and annotated with any comments I have about the sample – threads and fabric used; what I liked and disliked about them; any conclusions; what I found out.
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| Experimental sample is stitch mounted onto the Elephant Dung Paper |
The very last ceramic poppy was removed from the moat at the Tower of London last Friday and I was honoured to be part of it.
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| The very last poppy in the moat |
The night before a last dashed email had been sent out asking for a final batch of volunteers to clear and tidy up the moat, ‘reply if you can make it’. I rearranged things and replied “YES”.
Friday was a beautiful day and the sun was shining. Perfect. The volunteers were split into teams to tackle the last two areas of poppies. I was first tasked to clear the poppies from around the pet cemetery near Traitors Gate.
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| The view from the path before the poppies were removed |
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| The processing boxes & tables and the poppies at the base of the distant tower |
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| It was so strange when the tourists started flocking and photographing us doing the clearing up |
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| One of the first pets to be buried on the pet cemetery |
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| The Poppies and their stems were dismantled. Poppies carefully placed into boxes |
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| After the clear-up |
Following the clear up we moved to the moat at Cradle Tower where the last poppy was picked by the youngest and eldest volunteer.
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| The youngest and eldest volunteer and the last poppy: Eileen (82) and Alexandria (18) |
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| There is more money than you think. |
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| Some coins have left their mark |
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| Found Objects – thrown down by tourists, collected and displayed in the moat |
