What do you do with all your bits and pieces of embroidery?

[Angela]

I've seen so much lovely embroidery to inspire me since I have joined SF. My problem is I am a very practical person. Over the years I have given away almost everything I have made. I like to make things that are useful or that decorate useful things. I see so many lovely small embroidery pieces and samplers, especially on the TAST challenge, and I wonder what kinds of things do you do with your work so that it doesn't end up hidden away with the UFOs?

[Grace Lister]

Sally. you are so brave!!!  I am in exactly the same boat as you.  I did my C and G in the 1980's and have exactly the same problem with all the samples etc.  I run a small embroidery class and use a lot of them for samples but inevitably someone will want to know about another more up-to-date thing so I have to do even more samples.  I have about twenty files full of written work and what do you do with them!  I am most reluctant to ditch them as I am certain that the moment I do so I will want to refer to something.  What do other C and G students do with their work?  An interesting question, isn't it!

I love the finished piece of work with the acrylic paint over it but could never do that to my intricate pieces of Ayrshire work for instance.  However, for the "bits and pieces" it is certainly a good idea.  Where did you do your C and G?  I did mine in Beckenham.

[Sally Hutson]

Thanks Grace. Give it a try with some of the more ordinary bits not the best things. I did keep some back I must admit. As a teacher you end up with so many odd scraps of samples - I seen to add to mine each week. I teach part time now ( although I was full time for 15 years at Milton Keynes college) .

I was lucky enough to do my C&G at Windsor and Maidenhead College in Berkshire with Jan Beany and Jean Littlejohn so learnt so much from them that it enabled me to go into teaching myself. The old C& G was really hard and we all produced so much work and the exams as well - remember?

[Grace Lister]

Yes, Sally.  I do remember but like you I certainly benefitted from it.  I loved every minute of the 4 years I did and afterwards, again like you, went into teaching but on a part-time basis, at Penge where they were setting up a new C and G course.  I forgot to add that I was taught by Moyra McNeill and Pamela Warner.  We moved here to Somerset in 1997 and I started up a small embroidery class about 1999 which is still going strong.  I used to come over to Windsor to see the exhibition each year and yes, it certainly was exceptional work.  Do you belong to the Embroidery Guild?  I have been a member for over 27  years and used to belong to Bromley Branch but now belong to Avalon.  Do become my friend as we do seem to have a lot in common.  

[Margaret]

Great to read up on all your comments, I am another C & G girl, did mine in Bolton Lancs in 1990`s, no exams in my time but still struggled, Found it hard on the modern techniques, still very much a traditionalist allthough do try and move forward. Have used acrylic wax and ormaline on finnished work Sally but only tried acrylic paint once when I needed to tone something down,As regards samples hate to admit it but have thrown some away, regret it now but what`s done is done. Did not go down the teaching route but did demos occassionally and one or two workshops for |Manchester EG when I lived that way. Also used to go into Syal prison with the charity Fine Cell Work working with the inmates who produced some wonderful work which they got paid a nominal sum for.I sometimes wonder what will happen to all my stuff when I am no longer here, glad I will not be the one who has to sort it all out!

[Sally Hutson]

'I sometimes wonder what will happen to all my stuff when I am no longer here, glad I will not be the one who has to sort it all out!' 

It will end up on some antique show on the telly  in the future and be sold for millions LOL

[Grace Lister]

Margaret. That is interesting to hear about the Fine Cell charity.  One person who did C and G with me is active in that charity.  The trouble is that I can't remember her name - Winnie something, I think.  Anyway she lives down towards the South Coast so I can't imagine you will have met.  She was mentioned in a Guild publication some years ago - an article to do with that charity.

Sally, you are probably right!  I have left instructions that my stuff is to go to my Guild Branch but I can't imagine they will want some of it although the way things come round again, maybe it will be all the fashion again by then.  I am like Margaret, a traditionalist who also tries to have a go at new things.  I am into transfer foils at present and have recently tried to introduce them into Blackwork which makes a very good contrast.

[Faith]

I have wondered about this, too. I've only been stitching for about two years, now (other than occasional items before then).   I've noticed that many stitchin' fingers members are embroidering their clothing. I think this is a great idea. I can't say everything I'll do will be wearable, but I like the idea. My sister practically never wears unembellished clothing, so there's the gift opportunity, too.

[Nicola Thomson]

Its a good question!! Like you I have given  ( or sold) most of mine but how about using several to make a crazy quilt or joining several and framing them as a stand alone art piece??

i tend to have an idea of the finished item before I start, i.e. a Xmas pressie

[Lorelei Halley]

There are acryllic photo frames in 8 x 10 inch sizes, and some that are larger.  I display the really small pieces in those.  If I framed everything I'd run out of walls.