Make do and mend project

About our group project - by Sue Woods

The individual aim: To create a small piece of work using one or more mending techniques– but stretching it to make something that is interesting to look at . The completed piece is to be a 6inch square.

The group aim: Depending on numbers of pieces received, either to combine these to make a wall hanging or to have a display on a display board that can be taken to the Festival of Stitch (F of S)

What you need to do

1.      Start with an 8 inch square of unbleached calico (the type that is cheapest and has a slight off white colour.) The background calico should not be painted or dyed.

2.      Your “design” should fit into a 6 inch square.

3.      Make one large or 3 or more small holes. The holes can be real or “virtual” as the idea is to use a mending technique creatively in a textile piece; not to demonstrate that you can mend holes neatly.

4.      Mount the completed work over a 6 inch square of cardboard as we did for the Moldova postcards project. Back it with fabric.

5.      Write your name and the title of your work on the back.

What materials can I use?

You must use at least one recycled material. Either

• Recycled clothing, curtain etc; or
• Genuine left over materials  from another project e.g. from dress making, quilt making, knitting, an embroidery project etc; or
• A sample created at a workshop that you have never found a use for

Nothing must be purchased for this project but you can use anything in your stash of materials.

Criteria

The completed work is to be a 6 inch square mounted on cardboard (with fabric backing.

Make either one large hole or a minimum of 3 holes in your square and “repair” them

You must use at least one recycled material. Either

• Recycled clothing, curtain etc; or
• Genuine left over materials  from another project e.g. from dress making, quilt making, knitting, an embroidery project etc or
• A sample created at a workshop that you have never found a use for

Nothing must be purchased for this project (except the card) but you can use anything in your stash of materials.

Put your name and the title of the work on the back

Happy New Year

Hi the January meeting is on 3rd at 7.00pm and the session will be led by member Toni Stanford.

"FOLLOW A WORD"

Handmade and altered books can make lovely presents, for a small child, a special occasion, or as a way of preserving special mementoes.  They can also be a powerful design aid when you have lots of ideas around a subject but no idea of where to go next. Tonight we will use the simple methods of cutting, folding, sticking and sewing to travel through a book.

Toni will bring some books for you to try out the exercises on, but you can also bring your own book for altering...

you will need:
paper scissors
sewing needle
ruler and pencil

if you have them you can also bring:
hole punch - plain and/or fancy
ONE sheet of used christmas wrapping paper
ribbons and fancy bits from parcels - don't buy anything specially
reel of sewing thread - anything bright or to match your paper
craft knife and cutting board

Altered Books

The general theme for this year's programme is Altered Books.
Anne Menary introduced the programme with a selection of her books and a short mini workshop on beginnings, using old photographs, greetings cards, postcards, leaflets, tickets, papers, paint, glue and scissors to create a book to remind you of particular memories, or just taking ideas from the text..

In January's meeting Toni Stanford will 'Follow a word...' as with some of the examples shown in December's meeting Handmade and altered books can make lovely presents, for a small child, a special occasion, or as a way of preserving special mementoes. They can be a powerful design aid when you have lots of ideas around a subject but no idea of where to go next.

Please bring your own book in January if you wish but Toni will have some pamphlet books for you to try the excercises on too.

You need to bring:
paper scissors, sewing needle, ruler and pencil
plus, if you have them:
hole punch - palin and fancy
one sheet of used xmas wrap paper
ribbons and left over fancy bits from parcels
bright sewing thread - one reeel
craft knife and cutting board

 There are lots of images, and plenty of information and ideas on Google about altered books
They can be used as a resource for finishes, design ideas, the development of design, or just as a thing of beauty!

You don't have to cut up or destroy an old book, although of course there are many unloved books in charity shops across the region waiting to be re-invented.
Combine textiles and stitch with paint and print to make it special for you.