In The Studio
Stitching, stitching, stitching
This is where I am spending 20-30 hours a week – in front of the sewing machining getting the surface stitching on the 2 pieces for an invitational show in 2010.
I can’t show the artwork as we’ve been asked not to. So instead here are the tools I use for this process.
Lots and lots of thread. Mostly oranges and grays but plenty of other colors tossed in also. I’ve used all of these colors in the current piece. On the right are all the empties that have piled up as I’ve worked through this very large piece. I’ll mark them off my inventory sheet when I finish the textile painting.
The tools:
- a seam ripper, which dates back to middle school home ec class, which I would be seriously sad if I ever lost it. I can’t find another like it – instead of the tip being sharp it’s blunt, so it doesn’t catch on the fabric and is perfect for hooking under thread that is in the wrong place.
- scissors, can’t be at a sewing machine without them.
- needle to pull the threads into the sandwich of the quilt
- brush and oil to keep the machine clean
- lint roller to remove fuzz from the batting and other lint that doesn’t below on the quilt
I have another 10 hours on the first quilt and then will start in on the second. Deadline for having these completed is July 15th. I think I’ll be able to finished but it might require a few days of vacation from the day job.
In the Dye Studio
Today I spent 5 1/2 hours teaching a friend how to dye fabric (Ayn is a print maker and budding textile artist and will soon have a website). I think I dyed about 40 yards of fabric and tomorrow I’ll wash it out and see how it looks.
Five hours on my feet usually exhausts me so I’m doing computer work this evening instead of working in the studio.
Posted by Lisa in: Being an Artist
Such wonderful shots of your inner sanctum!
May I ask with the long hours sewing that you do, do you have your machine tilted towards you? I’m wondering how you help with the neck tension.
:-D eirdre
Thanks Seth.
Deirdre – I’m going to write a blog post about this as other’s have asked also.