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Tuesday 10 December 2013

WOYWW 236 so sew sew

Hi Peeps,
time again for our weekly curtain twitching peek at the worlds workdesks care of our hostess Julia at  the stamping-ground.
On my desk this week.... not much it has been sadly neglected in favour of my sewing machine.
I went with a friend on a  lovely weekend to West Dean College in West Sussex.
 We learnt all about free machine embroidery.  We learnt and practised lots of techniques, there was also lots of gorgeous food, wine, chocolate and lots of laughs.
Here are my 2 final pieces


 This Painted one still has to be  embroidered and embellished


I am planning to do lots more, we all had a lot of fun and a big thanks to my mate Lee and Wendy Dolan for making it a great weekend. I will share my favourite tip with you ... I have been sewing since I was about 8 or 9 (a long time) and I never knew this  .... ever wondered what the hole in the top of the bobbin was for... this


It helps with the bobbin winding ....  hold the thread under tension as it winds ... brilliant.
The college is in an old country house with some amazing art in it.
Salvadore Dali lip sofa


stunning  spiral stairs with footprint carpet and turtle wallpaper

 
An amazing dolls house



the  outside of the  house



Sorry for so many photos and I haven't even mentioned the C word.
Its a busy time of year for us crafters so I don't expect so many visits but I will try to reply to all commenters.
Have a great week
janet

18 comments:

  1. Wow Janet I love your embroidery...have pinned it on my pinterest and just might have a go after our move. Thanks for sharing it.
    Hugs,
    A x # 41

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  2. Sounds a fun weekend - West Dean is beautiful,, I went there to visit the gardens with my parents once. Helen 24

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  3. Wow great post Janet well done on sewing! Happy WOYWW, Shaz in Oz.x 30

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  4. Wonderful Janet, jsut what the doc ordered huh! looks like a pretty eclectic place, better yet though, they get you to do stuff that you wouldn't normally...I can see you being a free machine embroidery expert sometime soon. Love the pieces you've already done. Fascinating.

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  5. LOL! I have to admit to doing that with my bobbin thread but it's just cause I'm too lazy to get something to trim off the long thread. Hold i tight and it just breaks off - never knew it was good for tension! Love your collaged fabric. You could frame those as is and they would be stunning

    Happy WOYWW!
    Mary Anne (15)

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  6. But Mousie, thou art no thy lane,
    In proving foresight may be vain:
    The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men
    Gang aft agley,
    An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain,
    For promis'd joy!

    Yes, I know all about the best laid plans. You seem to have had a great time with your sewing. i am ashamed to say that I have a brand new sewing machine that has not yet come out of its box, due to the decorating and general household sorting and tidying. That may be a treat to wait till after Christmas. It is much more complicated than my old post war Singer. At the moment, with the decorating being done, there is not a tidy room in the house to put it into. Enjoy your week. xx Maggie #23

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  7. Beautiful work. Love that top one and look forward to seeing the other when you have a chance to add to it. What an inspiring place to go for a course. I always put the end of my thread through the hole in the bobbin and assumed everyone else did too!

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  8. Yes..ditto..looking forward to coming work on these.
    Judy #11

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  9. I'm so glad that you had a fab time at the course! When we have our get together, will you teach me how to do free machining as I love the look but have no idea what to do?! Sometimes time to yourself is just the ticket, eh?
    Hugs, LLJ 43 xx

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  10. some beautiful pieces pieces of work and some fab photos, thanks for sharing, Donna #42

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  11. Your pieces are so lovely! I am always envious of those who can sew (I can't even sew a button on straight!). Love the Dali sofa! I was forunte enough to see a Dali exhibit years ago when I visited Paris. So amazing! i am drolling over the doll house too, as I love those. Enjoy the week ahead!! Winnie#58

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  12. Hi Janet, what a lovely campus you visited and I myself am a huge fan of the works of Salvadore Dali. I'm envious to have never seen his works in person. And I bet I can make you laugh, because when you posed the question "what the hole in the top of the bobbin is for? I said to myself, hmmm, what the heck is a bobbin? Fun word, but I have no clue about sewing!! Happy WOYWW!

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  13. Love the bits you have done already
    Looks like a lovely place you visited
    Jackie40

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  14. I love the look of that free machine work! They'd look great in frames or on cushions too so nice and public. Looks like a lovely place to do a course too. Was lovely to see you again the other day. #44

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  15. Wow, that's some crazy wallpaper. I think that stairway would make me dizzy.

    How nice that you got away and learned something new. Free motion embroidery is a lot of fun, and no expensive machine required!

    Happy Woyww,

    Sandy #29

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  16. Love your embroidery, very artistic and effective.. Happy crafting DeDe #5

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  17. Great pics and interesting makes! Take care Zo xx 82

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  18. Love the stitching piece and great colors on the painted piece. That's some dollhouse. Um, quite large isn't it. :) WOYWW hugs! Nan G #69

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