Embroidering on Silk Gauze & Museum Inspirations

woolydream · 2005-09-09T11:57:13+00:00

While in New York last May, I had the good fortune to see a smallexhibit of Chinese art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art with a fellowRCTN'er Edith Rivera....we were both very impressed by the beautifulsamples of finely embroidered pieces of clothing especially the robemade of silk gauze that all EMBROIDERED!I'd never have thought to embroider on the surface of silk gauze inplace of the usual tent stitch, the only technique I've ever seen usedto stitch silk gauze until I saw this embroidered silk gauze robe.The embroidered stitches on the smooth flat surface of the silk gauzehad a nice texture to it, an interesting contrast of smooth & bumpythat we sort of saw from a "distance".It was too bad we couldn't get a closer look due to the interveningspace in the glass case and the dim light of the gallery which was ofneccessity for the protection of fugitive dye colors & fragility of oldsilk threads.I was disappointed not being able to see the fabric & stitches incloser details which I think a pair of focused opera glasses mightsolve the problem allowing me "see" textile exhibits more up close andpersonal!Going back to doing embroidery on silk gauze, I'm inspired to try this!Can use some of my precious collections of overdyed silk flosses toembroider on 40 mesh black silk gauze for what I imagine will be quitea dramatic effect!While meandering through the museum we came across impressive pieces ofneedlepoint in cushions, decorative coverings & panels as well as tentstitched coats of arms from different periods of British and Americanhistory.The colors of these needlepoint pieces were quite brilliant protectedinside thick castle walls away from strong lighting....so were thefinely woven wall tapestries done in colorful dyed yarns.Considering needlework materials had to be made by hand too as inweaving fabrics, hand dyeing & spinning yarns, etc, it's amazing howmuch hand stitched needlework has come down through the ages displayedin museums and homes.....a lot of...

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woolydream 20 years ago

Hello Anne,

You sound very creative to me from the description of your latest project! As long as one is creating for one's own pleasure, adapting and changing designs is a time honored way to be creative as well as learn techniques.

I did a lot of adapting of designs when I first started stitching! I was forever changing the colors and arrangement of designs to suit myself! Very often I was inspired by the designs using them as a base for my own creative thoughts.

Now, as a designer of painted canvas, etc.......I love seeing how stitchersare working my canvases adding touches and changes of their own, adapting the design to fit into their own environment.

Seeing these changes often inspires me to even more ideas! I can only "see" things from my perspective as you see from your vantage point.....being exposed to creative changes helps one grow artistically. All of us have been influenced by our backgrounds, environment & whatever else we've experienced in our lives that makes us all uniquely different......it's these creative differences that makes the design world go round!

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woolydream 20 years ago

Mirjam,

Please do find the translation whenever you get the chance......the few words you've posted about the web of beauty sounds lovely.....you know how words can inspire art and the few words you've posted have already given me images to think upon!

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woolydream 20 years ago

Lucille,

Thank you for the compliments.......I get carried away "talking" about my latest project and like to share with fellow stitchers my enthusiasm, so am pleased you enjoyed reading about my "Lace Goddess" project. I love to inspire others to be just as creative in whatever form of stitchery or crossover projects they choose to do.

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woolydream 20 years ago

Hi Sharon,

Do you mean the word ecletique? (Sp?).......or eccentric.....that works too and is spelled right!

I've been doing more painting than stitching right now.....have at least two dozen circus characters to paint with more to follow after the first batch for another job. Painting faces is just as difficult to capture the right feeling or expression! Only problem with painting with Designer's Gouache (matte opaque watercolor), mistakes aren't easily changed! At least with embroidery one can "frog" away changes which in fact I've done again.....twice!!

This time I wanted to get rid of the dark outline around the face as the black silk was too harsh against the pale skin tones and the delicate look of the laces and silks.

The funny thing is, I thought I could stitch over parts of the black outlines with the paler silk colors, as if I was painting over the darker line with the lighter silk skin tones hoping to create a vague, shadowy outline. Well....I certainly created the impression of a shadow......a five 'O' clock shadow!!! The light silk floss covered parts of the black outline that caused tiny black dots marching all around her jawline like tiny black bristles for all my troubles! Not very feminine unless she happens to be The Bearded Lady in lace & silks sitting under a pretty little parasol at the circus.

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clancy 20 years ago

I finally looked the word up (duh) - eclectic is the correct spelling - meaning borrowing from several sources, not exclusive in opinion, taste, etc. ... so yes, that's what I meant your Lace Goddess sounds like with all the beautiful colours and layers, etc. - but I think when you throw in 'eccentric', it makes her that much more interesting. :-)) You certainly have patience ripping out that face so many times, but I totally understand that you're trying to capture her personality, therefore very necessary. Can't wait to see this lady for sure.

Sharon (N.B.) ............................................................................ .......

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Mirjam Bruck-Cohen 20 years ago

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anne 20 years ago

snipped-for-privacy@earthlink.net said

Y'know, I've been thinking (long time friends of mine know that can be dangerous) and have come up with an analogy for my so-called creativity:

Many people slavishly follow the directions on packaged cake mixes; others prepare wonderful desserts using the manufacturer's suggested 'enhancements' like substituting apple sauce for liquid or adding pudding mix; still others use the box of mix as a base to which they add their own ingredients.

When it comes to embroidery, I'm in the last category; when it comes to baking, I waffle between numbers 1 and 2 depending on my mood and the people who will eat the concoction.

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Embroidering on Silk Gauze & Museum Inspirations

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