Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Making Inspiration!

Knotty Ladies is on again this coming Tuesday the 28th of August 7.30pm start at the House of Cloth, Bendigo

Are you getting a bit stuck for ideas for making for our Christmas fundraiser?

I have started collecting some inspiration online, and once you get started hopefully you will still have some time to make as there is so much out there!



This funny looking fella was created from a book I found in our local library called Happy gloves : charming softy friends made from colorful gloves (too cute and super easy)

Have you got caught up in the Pinterest craze yet?   You can check out my pins here for Knotty making ideas.  I am thinking soft toys, jewellery, scarves, Christmas decorations, pillow covers, items for babies.

Also there are a million completely free and wonderful (did I mention addictive) blogs out there with great crafting tutorials.  Here a few quick links:


 
 
 

 It is really easy to get started - pop in free tutorial as see what you find!  Please share your ideas on our Facebook page or post on our blog!


Thursday, August 2, 2012

Christmas Stall sneak previews!

Although I didn't make it to Knotty Ladies this month, I have started some sewing for the Knotty Ladies Christmas fund raiser stall with The Square, Bendigo's Handmade Market.

The softies are from Hop Skip and Jump 20 eco-friendly toys to sew by Fiona Dalton.


Send in your sewing pics!

See you later this month at the House of Cloth Tuesday the 28th of August 7.30pm

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Celebrity Knotters


Local gossy mag, the Bendigo Magazine has captured the Knotty Ladies for their winter edition.

Join in the glamour of the hand making next Tuesday the 26th of June at the House of Cloth, 7.30pm start.  

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Knotty Ladies in the Park this month!  6pm start at Rosalind Park Bendigo.  Bring your crafiness, rug or folding chair, snacks and the like - oh and the mozzie repellent!

See you then x

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Meet Jane Curtis a new Knotty!



Knotty Ladies are gearing up for another wonderful year of stitching, getting together this month - January the 31st at 7.3-pm at the House of Cloth.

Meet one of our newest Knotty Lady Jane Curtis.  She has been working on creating a linen patch work from reclaimed embroideries.



TM: Who was behind getting you started in hand stitching?

JC: No one showed me how to hand stitch, which the reason 'running stitch' is my favourite! The things that motivated me to handstitch are the meditative nature of it, its simplicity (especially with running stitch) and that there is no fooling with hand stitching - the end result looks 'handmade' with all its imperfections and that's what I love about it.

Even if someone's work looks perfect on one side, you can turn it over and see the loose bits of cotton tied off and their underside knots. The embroiderer's time and work is all there, in front of you - in other forms of craft you can try to imagine and appreciate the artist's labour, but not necessarily see it.

Finally, I like that this form of craft has a low entry level - perfect for people like me who pick up and put down types of craft and craft projects over time.


TM: You are also a online goddess with ABC Open - what fantastic projects do you have happening at the moment?

ABC Open, if you haven't heard of it, is a new(ish) project of the ABC that teaches people skills in digital media (photography, audio, video, blogging, social media) and broadcasts the stories you make on the website http://abc.net.au/open , on ABC Local Radio and on TV News 24 (Monday - Thursday 9:50am and 8:55pm).

I run free workshops all around Central Victoria. There's 'Summer School' workshops in January and February about managing your digital photos, social media and using a smartphone. Workshops are listed on the Central Vic page on ABC Open



TM: What piece of linen are you in love with at the moment?  And where do you find these beauties?

I'm in love with an unfinished piece of embroidery that I picked up in an op shop. It has beautiful little geometric shapes on it in pastel colours. And because it's unfinished, I've been filling in the pencilled lines with, what else, running stitch!

I find all the pieces of embroidery in op shops, in Bendigo and in smaller towns. Since I do workshops in many small towns, I can pop into op shops in my lunch break and see what's there. Heaven!

Knotty Ladies 2012

 



This was our last Knotty Ladies for 2011, I hardly got any sewing done - too much chatting, making new friends and unwrapping some beautiful handmade Christmas goodness.  
2012 starts this month on Tuesday the 31st at the House of Cloth, 7.30pm start.

Scroll down to view some of the gift's exchanged.

 






Sunday, October 23, 2011

Knotty Ladies in October

Hard to believe it is coming close to the end of the year - and although this blog has been a bit on the quite side Knotties has still been happening!

Infact we are meeting this Tuesday the 25th of October 7.30pm at the House of Cloth.

Our wonderful sponsor Elizabeth May the director of House of Cloth is sharing her textile story with Tamara Marwood.


TM: I couldn't help but notice that you are completely head over heals in love with textiles! Please share with us your current textile practice and research.

EM: My current practice encompasses dressmaking, knitting and weaving. I am also doing a Textile Design course through RMIT, which is opening my eyes to new possibilities.  Last year I did machine knitting, which was seriously challenging but when I finally got the hang of it was great fun. And this semester I have been doing screen printing, which is challenging,  fun and inspiring.

I am an avid reader of anything which is about or connected to textiles. I love old sewing and fashion books, and do have to control myself from buying too many. Thank goodness for libraries!! I usually have lots of books out from the RMIT library, and have found our local library a rich source of textile related books and magazines. These all provide lots of inspiration
TM: What are you current projects you are working on?
EM: I have a few too many projects at the moment, all in varying stages of completion. I have been making a red ‘jeans-style’ jacket for some time (though I am not going to say how long!!). I am getting some buttons made now, so it is getting closer to finishing. I am really looking forward to wearing it after all this time.


I also have a couple of weaving projects underway, one at home and one in the shop. The home one is intended to be a plain weave cushion cover using a wool blend yarn. I have used leftover bits of yarn and fabric from the dyeing class I did at RMIT a year ago in the weft, just to add a bit of colour. The shop project will be a table mat using a fine linen yarn, and is basically a plain weave crossed with areas of a lace weave. This one will take a while to do I suspect, as have not been able to do much of it recently.



I also have a couple of nearly completed knitting projects, which I have done slowly over the last 2-3 years whilst travelling on the train. One of these projects was completed, but when I tried it on I did not like the fit, so I have pulled it apart and re-knitted it. The hardest bit now is fitting in the sewing up and finishing. Hopefully they will both be ready for next year’s cooler weather. I will need to start planning the next knitting project in preparation for returning to weekly train journeys early in the year. 


TM: Who was it in your life that gave you these beautiful skills and knowledge?
EM: My earliest influence would probably have been my grandmother, who was always knitting something for her grandchildren. I used to play with her wool when staying at her place during the holidays. I also had a great aunt who was a dressmaker, and remember having clothes made by her, like a beautiful maroon velvet dress I remember wearing proudly. But I guess it was my mother’s influence which was the greatest. I do remember hanging around the treadle machine while she made clothes for me and my siblings, always trying to help. This started my long association with fabric and the sewing machine.

I have also been fortunate to have met a number of very talented women over the last 10 years who have inspired me to take on other creative activities, most notably weaving. These women have been very generous with their knowledge, which has helped me develop. But you know, I sometimes feel like I should have been weaving all my life, as I have a high level of comfort when working at a loom. 

TM: What role does textiles have in our community?
EM: Textiles have the capacity to unite people in the community into a common creative atmosphere. And whilst sharing this common activity, it is possible for people to heal from whatever misfortune has befallen them. Textiles can also tell a story, about events and people at particular times and places. They can also be things of beauty, to brighten up people, homes and public spaces.