A peek at my workspace, I don't think I have ever shared a photograph of my sewing machine before, except perhaps a flash of presser foot..... here you can see the large piece I am working on and just how far I have to go before this one is completed. I have given it the working title 'Poetica' - that may change, as titles often do.
Claire asked a really good question yesterday, thanks Claire - I was just wondering for a work of this size do you sketch it out first, go with the flow or a combination of both? Answer is: I am improvising this one, as I do with nearly all my stitched pieces. I have a general idea that there will be a 'spine' of focus detail. I am working from the centre out, as that is the best way to stitch for me, both to get a flow in the overall composition and so that I don't have any lumps and bumps in the cloth. I do sketch little ideas on paper and will refer to previous work. So, I'll think about incorporating different stitch patterns, like checkerboard, spidery stitchwork, a variety of faces and how to put them together.
As you can see here, my sewing machine is pretty basic. I am often asked if I have a 'fancy computer machine' and you can see here I really don't. I'm working on a little table with my machine and a few essentials on hand. One essential is my ipod. I like to listen to music to help focus my concentration.
I hope to share more photos of the actual work as the stitches come to life.....
10 comments:
Wow Cathy, it is really great to see this in progress... it shows well how much work goes into these stitcheries.
I already want to buy it :)
And I love the title too :)
I am wishing for more time ... that I may catch up with all your posts and beautiful work that I've missed while working hard on the cottage. I shall pop back at the weekend with my coffee and biccies and spend an hour visiting your "gallery"
Hope all is well for you
xo
This is amazing! You are so very talented. I love seeing other artists work in progress. Thanks for sharing.
Gosh how thrilling to see how you create your fabulous pieces!
This looks fantastic (and complicated), what music do you listen to? I'd need complete silence to focus on something like this! xx
Hey Cathy, great photo, that is one large work you have going on.No doubt alot of patience required to finish it, but the time and effort will be worth it.
Computerised machines, have their uses no doubt, but the freedom you have and the uniqueness of each work you create, far outweighs anything a computerised machine can do.
Ok I'll hop off the soap box now! Your work has inspired me to 'have a go' and I have had so much fun and learnt so much along the way, so thankyou very much.
I looove to see photos of other fellow artists process of work! My God, that piece is quite a job!!! I´ve very excited of the final result!
as usual you are an inspiration!!!
a big purple hug for you!
this piece is going to be fantastic! so much stitch work! I have been away from my sewing machine for to long! you have given me the itch to try something new. I do have a fancy computerized machine (a bernenna with a stitch regulator) but I also sew with a a singer featherweight that is from the 1930's and she can free-motion with the best of them... fancy is not always necessary, art is after all what we make of it. I am happy to say that I own some of your work and love seeing your progression.
Your work is so amazing. I'm just speechless when I look at it.
Cathy, I have never tried free motion sewing before. do you use a special pressure foot? what about your tension and stitch length? any special settings to do this sort of thing? I think this is really gorgeous. I would like to try this and maybe have my upper level art students give it a try. we have machines in the classroom, but I might need a different pressure foot?
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