Making your own designs.

[Jeanne Chandler]

I've added a photo of my first design using Japanese Embroidery techniques and enjoyed it so much that I'm curious about others who have done the same. It was a wonderful learning opportunity, choosing the various design elements, stitching techniques and fibers were all challenging, but fun. The Wedding Sampler was made for my nephew and his (now) wife, who were married in August. Now, however, and wonder what I have started, since we have 12 grandchildren, all but 4 of whom are 15 years old or more. Yikes!

Jeanne

[Jane]

Love the design Jeanne, such simple elements but they work beautifully. 

I've been doing some designs of my own for a while now, I always enjoy working out the process and stitches. It takes much longer to produce a piece this way but I enjoy the challenge.  My biggest challenge at the moment is transfering the design onto the fabric.  We've had a discussion about this here before & I'm still trying out various methods.

Designs don't always work out, I've got a couple which I'm not terribly happy with, but they both taught me something, even it its only what didn't work.  But I do enjoy the challenge and have got quite a few lined up ready to be created.  Some are just in my head and some have made it onto the fabric. Just finished a new one but am having problems getting a good photo, I'll try to get one soon to post. 

[Jeanne Chandler]

I've seen your Yoyosan and loved her!  I used a running stitch through tracing paper to transfer the design to my silk. It's tedious, but it works.  I also made great use of Adobe Photoshop to make flip the left side design to a right side design so that both would be exactly the same. I also used it to lay out the colors to be sure that they were balanced. In doing that I realized that the white and gold needed something additional for punch andchanged the leaves from gold to green. My framer picked up the green as a wash over gold on the frame we chose and it worked beautifully. It's interesting how much trial and error there is in the design process. Thanks for your thoughts.

Jeanne
Jane said:

Love the design Jeanne, such simple elements but they work beautifully. 

I've been doing some designs of my own for a while now, I always enjoy working out the process and stitches. It takes much longer to produce a piece this way but I enjoy the challenge.  My biggest challenge at the moment is transfering the design onto the fabric.  We've had a discussion about this here before & I'm still trying out various methods.

Designs don't always work out, I've got a couple which I'm not terribly happy with, but they both taught me something, even it its only what didn't work.  But I do enjoy the challenge and have got quite a few lined up ready to be created.  Some are just in my head and some have made it onto the fabric. Just finished a new one but am having problems getting a good photo, I'll try to get one soon to post. 

[Christa Evans]

Hi Jeanne, 

Your wedding sampler is absolutely beautiful.  I love your choices of elements, color, balance, and techniques. They is a very special harmony and elegance to your design.  What other pieces are you thinking of designing?  I have a HUGE family but have managed to stay away from the "need" to stitch something for everyone by simply explaining the process & time, inviting the requester to learn how to stitch their own piece, or if totally cornered - explaining that it was a one-time special arrangement with special circumstances. :0)  So far, it has worked with little hard feelings!

 

In 2009/2010 we had a challenge on this site so I jumped in with both feet and designed then stitched my first original piece - I've added a picture of Uguisu Reflects on Ume on my page (one can read about the process on the LilyStitch blog).  I loved the experience so much that at times it is really hard for me to focus enough on the phase pieces to get them to completion (LOL!).  I have a couple of my own designs under way (for when I just HAVE to work on them) with many more sketched out and/or in my imagination.  It tough because I'm really trying to finish up the JEC curriculum but the design process is such a wonderfully, fun challenge it's hard to stay away from it. 

 

Please look up Jane's Yoyosan - it is a wonderful piece and I just loved following her process on it.  Jane - I really love putting the design by using the design outline on Onion Skin paper with running and back stitches.  You can read more about how I do this here (please excuse the broken photo links - looks like I have some clean up to do).  Can't wait to see your new piece!!

 

I, too, would love to hear from other group members on what you are designing, stitching, and dreaming of. There is so much inspiration to gain from this wonderful group.  Please share.  

 

Warm Regards,

Christa

[Jeanne Chandler]

Thanks, Christa!  I looked up Uguisu and love it -- the blushing colors are wonderful, it's a very happy feeling scene. I watch Jane's blog, too, so I have seen Yoyosan and thoroughly enjoy her writings. I know what you mean about the phase pieces, but I did finally complete Phase IX and went to Atlanta last November for the Phase 10 piece. Three students were accompanied by our teacher, Tonie Evans, and it was fantastic. There were a total of 10 students, including one the UK and one from Australia. We bonded so well and went out to dinner together every night. I wanted to return this year, with Phase X about 1/3 completed, but dislocated my shoulder in September and I'm still having problems using my left arm to push the silk through from the bottom. The progress is terribly slow because of severe bone bruises which, apparently, take forever to heal. Hopefully, I'll get back to Phase X within the next few weeks.

I haven't thought about another design yet (have told all grandchildren that I will use the original and change the name and date, no new concepts). 

 

Keep in touch!

Jeanne

 

 

[Jane]

I think I'd better get working on the new JE challenge.  Have some ideas and now the house is much straighter I'll get going on it and will post something at the weekend.

jane

[Jeanne Chandler]

I've been following your renovations online and waiting for more on the stitching front. I've been out of commission myself for almost 3 months as the result of a dislocated shoulder -- thanks to a yoga class!  My hand slipped off the mat in one exercise and I fell forward on my outstretched left arm.  POP! Everyone heard it and it was pretty awful, but it popped back in when I pulled up my elbow. Doc says it's a difficult injury and to be patient - easier said than done!

Jeanne

[Jane]

You see, I knew exercise was bad for you!! ;-)  Hope your shoulder gets better soon, jane