Conceptual patchwork

Whilst having a clear-out of the bottom of my wardrobe I came across this patchwork I made for a Uni project last year. 

This was during the few confused weeks where I thought I might be more of a textile artist rather than a designer. But with this one project I realised just how very wrong I was. I thought my patchwork was beautiful and was very happy with it, but was marked down for it not being conceptual enough.

'Shallow' was the word bandied about by a lecturer when I argued that I didn't want to make a grand statement about the state of society or for my work to be a metaphor for something else. Is it wrong to want to make things that are simply beautiful? Or rather, I like to make things that are practical, useful and beautiful. I've never considered myself to be a shallow person, not really I just don't want to make something that I consider ugly, under the guise of conceptual art. I have respect for those that do, and perhaps conceptual doesn't always have to equal ugly but at the end of the day I think it's just not for me.

And after all, I completely stand by the idea that there's nothing wrong with creating things that are simply going to make people happy.

Clutch bag

I absolutely love a clutch bag, so chic and elegant and absolutely not just for the evening as far as I'm concerned. Perhaps not the most practical of handbags but then I'm not really the sort of girl to lug her entire life around with her; phone, keys, money, lipbalm and I'm good to go. so I really have no idea why it hasn't occurred to me before to make my own. So here is my first ever attempt.

I am super pleased with it; cute little pleats, handy interior pocket and a bit of bling. But now I'm hooked, I think I might have to make one in every colour. I'm all over the place with ideas for fabrics and embellishments.

I'm thinking now of ideas for larger clutch bags, maybe A4 sized so I can put sketchbooks and other uni bits and bobs in it, in cord or velvet, with an unexpected lining fabric, leopard print maybe?or floral? I can't decide, I can't keep up with my own ideas but it is so good to be feeling so enthusiastic about a project again, it's been a while since I've been this keen and I love it!

Autumn handbag

I've had this beautiful vintage tweed fabric stashed away for a while, it was one of those times when I was a little hesitant to cut it because it was so precious. But I am definitely one of those people who believes it's a pity to have beautiful things and not use them so I had to bite the bullet.

And I am so glad I did, I love my new handbag! I'd never made a bag like this before but I'd seen a style that I liked and with a fair bit of improvisation I successfully managed to recreate it.

I wanted something smart for Autumn, but not too serious and I loved the idea of juxtaposing the very traditional tweed with a more playful lining, and this floral cotton (which was originally meant for a summer dress) was the perfect accompaniment and will brighten up a grey autumn or winter day.

I made the handles quite long, so that they'll fit over the shoulder of a thick winter coat and added a vitally important pocket for my phone so I'm not scrambling around for it the bottom of of my bag whenever it rings.

Three years in the making (and counting)

At least three years, maybe more. I am far from the worlds greatest knitter, I can knit just about, squares and rectangles, nothing complicated, no fancy stitches. But a simple scarf I can manage.

It's not as if I am a horrendously slow knitter, no that's not the problem. I am an inconsistent knitter. I will come across my poor, half-finished scarf occasionally, stuffed away in a bag under my bed. And on days like today, with grey skies and endless drizzle, the idea of curling up with some daytime TV and a ball of wool seems like the only option.

So I'll knit, and I'll knit, for a few days furiously working away at it, wondering why on earth I don't knit more, such a simple and comforting pastime. But after a while I'll become distracted by something else, or become despondent that I seem to be making little progress despite my efforts and my poor scarf will fall by the wayside, only to be tidied once more back beneath the bed.

To be honest, I'm not sure I even want to finish it. I'm not really a thick cosy scarf person at all. And the colours I chose at 18 or 19, though nice, maybe aren't the ones I would choose now. But I'll keep going with it now, after all don't they often say it's the journey not the destination that really counts?

Kitchen embroidery

The past few days I have had such a strong desire to curl up with some fabric, a hoop and some thread and while the hours quietly away with a spot of embroidery. Searching for inspiration I came across these dishtowels made by Alicia Paulson with cute images of kitchen utensils. There's something very appealing about teeny tiny utensils, like the miniature ones you get for dolls houses. So I set about drawing with the idea of designing a little sampler of mini kitchen utensils.

All it needs is a little something in the middle there (I'm still searching for the perfect object) a cute little border and I'm good to go... unfortunately it appears I have left all my fabric, embroidery hoop and threads 100 miles away in Cardiff, my embroidery enthusiasm will have to be put on hold for a few weeks - this is why I should never travel light!

Feeling domestic

I'm getting excited about the hints of Autumn in the air. For me Autumn is a time for blackberry picking, baking pies and puddings and curling up with some sewing as the evenings begin to draw in.

Recently, the boyfriend and I have been househunting for our first home. Not that this will be a reality for another year or so, what with my final year of uni, but we thought it wouldn't hurt to have a look see at what's about. I've dreamt of a home of my own since I was probably about 10. I've always been incredibly domestic. A flat, rented with a friend, is one thing, but an actual house, all of my own which I could decorate exactly as I please, somewhere to come home to at the end of the day, close the door and cosy up in. Complete bliss.

But all this makes being a student totally frustrating to me right now, whilst mister can be working hard saving up money for our nest, I am stuck scrimping and desperately trying to make my limited pennies stretch until the end of term. So, to ease my frustration I have been dreaming up all the kinds of textile things which we are sure to need when we finally do get our home; tea towels, peg bags, pillow cases, cushions, laundry bag, you name it, it's on my 'to-do' list. My own way of contributing to the house fund.

Pot holders - check! I found an old section of hand-sewn patchwork that I made years ago. Quilted, edged, voila. I'm not too sure how hardwearing these will be, some of the patches are silk, but i'm not too worried about things like that - they look beautiful and that's the main thing right?