Me and my shadow

Here are my latest samples for my City and Guilds. I can honestly say that I would never have tried shadow work off my own bat. It's not that I don't like it, but you know how you stick to the things you know well? Anyway I started with the daisy in traditional shadow work. The petals and centre are worked by appliqueing another fabric to the reverse of the design and the leaves with a closed herringbone stitch. It was so enjoyable and the very fine cotton fabric came from a blouse I bought over ten years ago and couldn't bear to throw away! It needs a good damp stretch before it goes for assessment. Next I had a go at a more modern take, I made a large paper cut from a heavy Indian paper. I sewed this to some voile, this was also very enjoyable, I do like sewing with paper and plan to use some folded paper in my blanket stitch exploration. Finally I had to do battle with my nemesis of Bondaweb. I cut some bondawebbed paisley shapes and applied these to a space dyed base. I topped this off with wadding and a layer of very sparkly shot organza-(might it be called crystal organza?). I quilted around the shapes and within them and then cut back the organza to give a variety of surfaces. I added a sprinkling of Indian cup sequins and feel it could take even more.



I am waiting to hear if I have done enough to have shadow work signed off, but to be honest if I need to do some more samples it won't be a hardship and I wouldn't even mind if I needed to break out the 'web of doom' again!

Other crafting is progressing well- a Christmas present should be finished in time and I have sewn a Christmas garland this very morning. I am at the slightly excited- slightly more panicky stage of Christmas preparation, I need to cross off a few more jobs from the 'to-do' list before I can get properly wibbly and tearful about the whole festive affair- but don't worry, it will happen! xx