HERE we are again nearing the end of another strange month but it’s been another busy one for me here at Delicate Stitches HQ and August looks like it’s going to be busy too!
Last month I wrote about some of the things I’d been learning in lock-down and over the course of this month I’ve been putting some of my new found digital skills to good use. With a minimal amount of swearing (honest) I’ve learnt a lot about digital image manipulation which I’ve been using to get some fabric custom printed with some of my bird designs. I’m really excited about this and I’m so pleased with the results; I chose an organic calico base (for sustainability and ease of stitching) and I’m delighted with the print quality. I’ve still got a few things to learn (my design placement could do with a bit of work) but I think this is a good starting point! C
I’m going to make the fabric into little embroidery kits which I’ll be selling through my Folksy shop. They’ll be suitable for beginners, come with everything you’ll need (apart from scissors) and as they’re quite small you should be able to complete them fairly quickly, I always enjoy the sense of satisfaction when I manage to complete a project. I’ve just started making the samples up for the kits so keep an eye on my social media for updates.
I’ve also been working on an online video course ‘Inventive Sketchbooks’ which I hope will be available soon. It’s been submitted for review so now I just have to wait! Again, it’s been a steep learning curve but I enjoyed making the videos and accompanying resources and I’m looking forward to sending my course out into the world. I love making sketchbooks and Inventive Sketchbooks is a workshop I really enjoy running ‘in real life’ so I’m hoping the video version will be a success.
Continuing my digital learning journey I’ve also made a digital tutorial showing you how to make Suffolk Puffs (a traditional patchwork technique) and turn them into pieces of unique and personal textile jewellery. It’s available as a PDF on my Folksy shop now. Again, it’s a workshop I enjoy running in person but I’m also enjoying finding new ways to share my skills with people.
In other exciting news I have ‘real life’ workshop bookings to look forward to as well, both in beautiful Cumbrian venues. All being well, I’ll be at the lovely Eden Workshop at The Appleby Hub on 7th October teaching my ‘Free Machine Embroidery and Appliqué’ workshop and then I’ll be at the fabulous Makers Mill in Keswick on 17th October teaching my ‘Embroidered Treasures: Free Machine Embroidery on Water-soluble Fabric’ workshop.
I hope you’re all finding time to be creative too. Until next time, stay safe and keep making!
Helen
