Today, I went to see the Liverpool Embroiderers Guild exhibition at Liverpool Cathedral. I'd dragged my poor, long-suffering husband there, even though it was Fathers' Day, so I bribed him with a Chinese take-away when we got home. Unfortunately, by the time we got there, the exhibition was being taken down. Apparently, the Cathedral authorities had asked for it to be cleared today rather than tomorrow. Despite the fact that some of the exhibits had been removed, there were enough to make our journey worthwhile and the patient helpers did not object to us wandering around whilst they worked. There was some really interesting work and techniques on show, not just embroidery, felt, patchwork and weaving etc.
My main focus in the last few weeks has been making the commissioned bag. It is made from black velvet and has an appliqued white flower on the front. Velvet, whilst being wonderful to look at and gorgeous to touch, is a devil to sew. Before I use it again for anything other than decoration, I must find out the best way of working with it - it cannot be pressed or ironed in any way (that I know of), so it has been something of a challenge.
I've also made a prototype iphone cover which, if it fits (I'll have to borrow an iphone to check), will spur me on to make some more to take to Lark Lane on Saturday and probably to Lancaster on 30th.
On Friday, I went to a felting group which was good - lots of ideas and encouragement shared, and I had a 'play' with a drum carder - it's used to prepare wool for felting. I also made a small piece of inlaid felt using a technique I'd not used before, and I was pleased with the results. The piece will probably end up as another book cover - I'm going to embellish it a bit first. I hope to join the group when they resume in September so that I can move my felting on a bit more.
