Showing posts with label embroidery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label embroidery. Show all posts
Wednesday, 28 September 2011
Sunday, 28 February 2010
Angela's Start - Patterns 21, 32, 7, 12, 13, 14
I asked Ang to give me a little bit on how she met Ruskin Lace and here's what she's cooked up:
In 1993 I started embroidery classes at Harraby School with Irene Coulthard, to learn Hardanger.
While there, Irene was also teaching Ruskin Lace to two other ladies. I was really interested in it, so I booked a weekend course at Higham Hall with Elizabeth Prickett, and started my first piece, a traycloth. This seems to have patterns 7, 12, 13 and a variation on 14 in it. Corrections, Ang?
I was soon hooked, and continued (in fact, continue) to go to Higham Hall at least twice a year since then.
I also continued classes with Irene at Harraby for another 2-3 years (until they stopped) and completed the framed wall hanging under her guidance. Looks like this might have patterns 21 and 32 customised....Ang? Correction?
Whilst attending courses at Higham Hall, I also met and became friends with Bridget Rylands, who was a member of York Minster Broiderers. She is an amazing embroiderer and teaches all kinds of embroidery, including Ruskin Lace in the Whitby Area of Yorkshire (although I have never done Ruskin with her).
Irene Coulthard also teaches "Calico Gardens" and has written the definitive book on the subject, "Hand Embroidered Calico Gardens". (hmm, Misha says to herself, as she has no idea what Calico Gardens are....and may have to have a peek at this book of Ang's!)
In 1993 I started embroidery classes at Harraby School with Irene Coulthard, to learn Hardanger.
While there, Irene was also teaching Ruskin Lace to two other ladies. I was really interested in it, so I booked a weekend course at Higham Hall with Elizabeth Prickett, and started my first piece, a traycloth. This seems to have patterns 7, 12, 13 and a variation on 14 in it. Corrections, Ang?
I was soon hooked, and continued (in fact, continue) to go to Higham Hall at least twice a year since then.
I also continued classes with Irene at Harraby for another 2-3 years (until they stopped) and completed the framed wall hanging under her guidance. Looks like this might have patterns 21 and 32 customised....Ang? Correction?
Whilst attending courses at Higham Hall, I also met and became friends with Bridget Rylands, who was a member of York Minster Broiderers. She is an amazing embroiderer and teaches all kinds of embroidery, including Ruskin Lace in the Whitby Area of Yorkshire (although I have never done Ruskin with her).
Irene Coulthard also teaches "Calico Gardens" and has written the definitive book on the subject, "Hand Embroidered Calico Gardens". (hmm, Misha says to herself, as she has no idea what Calico Gardens are....and may have to have a peek at this book of Ang's!)
Karen Quickfall Pattern No. 65
This is a photo of one of Karen Quickfall's boxes. Yes, take a second, it's stunning, isn't it?
.JPG)
Let me put another closer photo of it for you:
.JPG)
I think Karen has done Pattern 65 here. Karen.....corrections are welcome!
You can see why she teaches!
One of her best tips (and might be the best tips of others, too) is to use red as a background, it shows off the lace beautifully! I think you'll agree!
:) misha
.JPG)
Let me put another closer photo of it for you:
.JPG)
I think Karen has done Pattern 65 here. Karen.....corrections are welcome!
You can see why she teaches!
One of her best tips (and might be the best tips of others, too) is to use red as a background, it shows off the lace beautifully! I think you'll agree!
:) misha
What do you need?
I'm trying to think of helpful bits of information for those that might stumble upon this looking for a new needlework challenge.
What do you NEED to make Ruskin Lace (well, besides some help?)? Here's what will keep you busy:
1. & 2. Elizabeth's Book and DVD (I'd say these were vital...and I do mean vital! - I've been doing it for only two years and honestly can't do a damned thing without the book to look at).
3. Glenshee Linen. Why, oh, why? It's strong. It's an even weave. It's nice, and can handle what you are going to do to it. Could you use something else? Probably.......but, I have my doubts it would hold up properly.......and I wouldn't recommend it.
4. Linen thread.....different weights, but you could use many different brands here, though I have the one I use, which I will post more about in the future...with photos.
5. Sharp embroidery scissors....with a fine point.
6. A tapestry needle.
7. A sharps needle.
8. A thimble.
9. A tape measure that measures to a 1/16" (that's a 1/16th inch for you Europeans!).
That's it. Not loads.....and most embroiderers will have at least five of these already. The linen is a bit tricky, but I lucked into a beautiful eBay moment one day when I found a huge amount of it on sale for peanuts.....to the envy of the other Ruskin lace team!
So - how do you start? Look at this blog as it evolves......you might think it looks a bit rough initially......but it might just linger in your mind. Look at the samples that are and will be posted, to see what you think.
See if you know anyone who does it (doubtful if you are out of Northern England).....sink the dough into the book and DVD.....and watch the dvd......do not read the book first....except for the history part. It can be a bit much. If it still intrigues you ...start small. Pick one of the easy patterns and start the challenge.
Let us have a photo of your work with your name! Email me......if you've goofed.....email us a photo and we'll see if we can help 'right' you over the 'net. You never know....stranger things have happened over the 'net!
Ang is headed to another Ruskin Lace Weekend at Higham Hall (without me the big jerk!). She is going to share our little adventure with them, and hopefully get the other ladies on board with their photos and samples.
For those of you working on Ruskin......if, as we go along, don't have a photo up of one of the patterns that you are struggling with, let me know and I'll check the photos I have in waiting to see if any of the patterns are there....and we'll get them up. It is really helpful to see a real worked piece, and we know it!
We want this to be a place we can all use. The only drawback is you have to send stuff to me....and I might not always deal with it quickly, but I promise to try.
Welcome everyone!
:) misha
What do you NEED to make Ruskin Lace (well, besides some help?)? Here's what will keep you busy:
1. & 2. Elizabeth's Book and DVD (I'd say these were vital...and I do mean vital! - I've been doing it for only two years and honestly can't do a damned thing without the book to look at).
3. Glenshee Linen. Why, oh, why? It's strong. It's an even weave. It's nice, and can handle what you are going to do to it. Could you use something else? Probably.......but, I have my doubts it would hold up properly.......and I wouldn't recommend it.
4. Linen thread.....different weights, but you could use many different brands here, though I have the one I use, which I will post more about in the future...with photos.
5. Sharp embroidery scissors....with a fine point.
6. A tapestry needle.
7. A sharps needle.
8. A thimble.
9. A tape measure that measures to a 1/16" (that's a 1/16th inch for you Europeans!).
That's it. Not loads.....and most embroiderers will have at least five of these already. The linen is a bit tricky, but I lucked into a beautiful eBay moment one day when I found a huge amount of it on sale for peanuts.....to the envy of the other Ruskin lace team!
So - how do you start? Look at this blog as it evolves......you might think it looks a bit rough initially......but it might just linger in your mind. Look at the samples that are and will be posted, to see what you think.
See if you know anyone who does it (doubtful if you are out of Northern England).....sink the dough into the book and DVD.....and watch the dvd......do not read the book first....except for the history part. It can be a bit much. If it still intrigues you ...start small. Pick one of the easy patterns and start the challenge.
Let us have a photo of your work with your name! Email me......if you've goofed.....email us a photo and we'll see if we can help 'right' you over the 'net. You never know....stranger things have happened over the 'net!
Ang is headed to another Ruskin Lace Weekend at Higham Hall (without me the big jerk!). She is going to share our little adventure with them, and hopefully get the other ladies on board with their photos and samples.
For those of you working on Ruskin......if, as we go along, don't have a photo up of one of the patterns that you are struggling with, let me know and I'll check the photos I have in waiting to see if any of the patterns are there....and we'll get them up. It is really helpful to see a real worked piece, and we know it!
We want this to be a place we can all use. The only drawback is you have to send stuff to me....and I might not always deal with it quickly, but I promise to try.
Welcome everyone!
:) misha
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