Amazing Embroidery

I was speaking with 2 guilds from the Ontario Needle Network last Saturday. It was fascinating to see the work they were showing. As a wee lass, part of my education on becoming a sewing/crafty person was a bit of embroidery. So I can say I have done some, along with knitting, crochet, cross-stitch, etc.

I was looking at various styles like Stumpwork, Swedish Weaving, and Ruskan Lace. Most interesting to me was the freestyle, where a picture is created purely out of colourful stitches, of maybe a bird, a flower, or a landscape scene. While I can't see myself creating such a work, I can see using some of these elements in the work I'm doing with my photos.


From the perspective I have now, it's very different to see this work. I have a great appreciation for the time, creativity, and precision it takes to do this exquisite handwork. I have a piece or two my great-aunt made many years ago, which I love. I feel very connected to my ancestors and other women, and inspired to do my own brand of needlework.

And with that, it is back to my sewing machine.

Quilt Festival in St. Jacobs

I spent Saturday at the Waterloo County and Area Quilt Festival. The only venues left for me were in St. Jacobs, where I love going anyway. And what a treat. I saw so many wonderful quilts.

Featured within a grouping of local quilters was a fabulous display of very well made and beautiful quilts by Dorothy Sittler of Elmira. Inspiring and creative quilted vests and jackets by Sandra Thomas were also featured. Helen Hughes of Guelph was in attendance with a good selection of her fibre art quilts.

And of course, I had to visit Reichard's quilt store right in St. Jacobs, and the merchant mall. I picked up a few, ok a lot, of fat quarters, books, and coloured bits of trims to use in my photo landscape quilts.

A big push in the garden on the weekend has done wonders for the garden and little for my sewing. The garden is pretty well all taken care of at the moment, so I'll be able to resume sewing. The list is getting longer, though. I bought a few summer clothes that need alterations. And after seeing Sandra Thomas's work, I am inspired to make some quilt vests for myself. How does that happen?!

Quilt Season

Spring time means being able to see a lot of quilts, and the Waterloo County and Area Quilt Festival has begun. There are many venues in the area, and many quilts to see. Grand National earlier in the week, yesterday Threadworks at the Wellington County Museum. View the Threadworks pieces here. I especially liked the Crabapple Branch by Tracey Lawko, and the Tree Mandala by Marilyn J. Arms. Three Leaves, by Gordana Brelih, was very impressive, obviously many hours of stitching, and very beautiful.

It always amazes me how people put different colours and fabrics together, create an interesting layout, add stitching in their own unique way, and create a piece that is amazingly beautiful. I just get so moved to see the creativity of other fibre artists.