Beach Pebble

So here it is. New collection of throws and cushions.

Beach Pebble.

Named so for no other reason than when I accidentally saw a pebble I had picked up on a beach once, against the eco-printed throws, I was amazed at the resemblance of the colours and pattern... So inspired from the yarn wrapped on the stone, a similar coloured fabric (which I luckily happened to have) was used for the cushion backing. Perfect! 

I absolutely love the string marks on these cushions. 

Eco-printed on wool with black walnut and wingnut leaves, onion skins in a cauldron of Alder cones and iron dye. 

Can be admired in person at the Best of Britannia show 3-5 Oct '13. 

www.bestofbritannia.com. 

What do you think?

A rectangle of cloth 1

Many moons ago, an idea brewed in my mind. A series of functional textiles/garments made from a single piece of rectangle cloth. A little cliché I thought. But it did eventually lead me to imagine very simply forms to wear, with minimal stitching and cutting. After a lot of umm-ing and ahh-ing, in the name of experimentation and new things, I made this...
A simply silk top made from a rectangle of cloth and hand-finished.

Kimono

I met Becky at a fair in March. She was selling some amazing vintage fabrics and items which she collects from markets in Japan. After a very marginal exchange of about our work and interests, we parted ways and I left feeling really good and happy to have found her.

I find a few weeks later,a very excited email about finding an old plain cream kimono and if I would be interested in Eco-dyeing it. Of course I did. Next thing I know, it's on its way to London from Tokyo!

Not knowing much about kimonos and their wrapping techniques, I took some time trying out ways to fold. This one is dyed with plum cherry leaves, blueberries, some old keys and a few random leaves too. No mordant was used, although I now wish I had. 

It was on display in Made in Clerkenwell Summer 2013 and is on sale for those interested. one of the most memorable moments for me was when a lady said that it's like an imprinted memory of a summer picnic; of looking up at the leafy foliage of trees and eating blueberries. Another said it looks like velvet.

I thoroughly enjoyed working on the Kimono and admire Becky's leap of trust in sending the Kimono to me. It seems to be the beginning of collaborative journey and friendship which I look forward to with a happy heart. I hope I have done justice to this kimono. 

Serendipity

The idea of incorporating vintage, used and fond textiles with botanical dyeing had been brewing in my mind for a while. But I could not have estimated that it would come together in such a beautiful way.

The idea of a panel-patched scarf/textile came form an experimental piece I had made to put together my first Eco-printing experiments. After displaying it in Showcase (August 2012) I realised its too precious and meaningful to be sold so I began wearing it, and no sooner started receiving compliments and interest. Which made me think of doing a collection of patched panels. 

The two ideas morphed together by serendipity. I was rummaging through my fabric cabinet when amongst the fabrics strewn, a pile that had just formed caught my eye. They looked like they belonged together. I instinctively reached for a strip of green and that's it! 

These were, a beautiful rust coloured fabric bought from Orimono Blue (sourced from flea markets in Japan), silk eco-printed with eucalyptus to which I added another eco-printed with Eucalyptus+ pomegranate +iron nails and of course the green silk (dyed with Red onion skins), and a brocade border  (which I happen to have and which was utterly perfect) which I bought a while back but can't remember when or where exactly. 

The vintage fabric of course having been used before, had many stains and a few holes. I have used parts with the least amount of stains. I must admit when I decided to use it anyway, mend the weak parts and cover the stains I did feel like I was taking a risk. I mean, would people really appreciate the beauty and story of it like I do or will they simply see an old fabric with holes? 

But I hope to encourage people to re-use, re-function fabrics so I kept at it and I have to say, after spending much time and love on these imperfections, I think they have become the tiny pleasurable details that add the specialness and the 'treasurable' factor. Here are some images. What do you think?

These two scarves can also be used as table runners, curtain panels and what else..? 

There's a chance to see and feel these in person and they will be on show at the Made in Clerkenwell Summer Open studios from 16 - 19 May 2013 at Craft Central in London. 

Found Old Words part 2

A few months ago I posted a random entry I found in my diary curiously wondering what I must have been thinking. Here I found another such set of lost words. This time in Facebook's notes. its from back in 2007. 

"

learn from your mistakes.

respect everything and everyone in the world.
appreciate beauty in all its simplicity and complexity.do your best, whatever you do.nurture friendship, loyalty, love and dignitysmile and laugh with all your heart and soul.be optimistic. think positive.

and leave the rest to the universe.
"

Its interesting I find, how I had forgotten what I had written and that state of mind. And now I find a renewed resolve to try to follow what I considered worthy of being written down, in this case to be read be others as well, so many years ago, clearly meant to be remembered. It was titled 'everyday reminders'.

apron and pockets

I really really need to remember to take before pictures!!

I started this apron in 2010 after the workshop with India Flint in Switzerland. It was a way to mark the stepping into the botanical dyeing world. I would adorn this while doing any dye work. Its kind of my uniform I suppose. It is also my first, very experimental piece of a completely handmade garment.

Last year, I made a few changes to it buy adding an opening to tie up where previously there was none. (Excitement of the making can often distract from thinking of functionality).

Recently I have felt the need for more pockets and again a better, easier way of wearing it.
So. I added extra panels on the sides, strips to tie at the back nicely, an extra length on the back for not particular reason, and of course, pockets. And although I am sure it will keep evolving, I am quite pleased with it as it is now.

It seemed appropriate to add a piece from the workshop that inspired the apron. This one is a grape leaf I think.

Wool pocket with Eucalyptus and plum cherry print. 

The shirt I am wearing underneath is one of my favourite plain tunic shirts. Last December it started to look a little too plain. And extreme boredom caused me to pick it up and add some stitched details to it as well as darts on the front and back. How the fact that it was one size too big, had eluded me, I have no idea.

pointy pencils

I havent owned a pencil sharpener in.... I don't even remember how long!
And I have been thinking of and forgetting to buy one for the last few weeks.
Finally fed up of blunt pencils, I decide to go old school. Sharpening pencils with a cutter blade!
Aah! The joy of pointy pencil leads!

(I really should have taken a 'before' picture, shouldn't I?)

This activity is henceforth added to my list of calming, meditative things to do.