Surface Design, Rhode Island School of Design

I've been taking a Surface Design course at Rhode Island School of Design for the past almost six weeks.  It's been a great experience!  All online, but with live interaction with the instructor and fellow students, I've found it to be an enriching way to learn new skills during these quasi-quarantined days.

I'm learning about digital tools in which I take my original artwork and put it into repeating patterns.   Areas covered so far include how to change colorways and how to alter the scale of motifs.  It's very exciting but also very challenging;  prior to this class I had zero experience with any kind of digitally-produced designs.  

Here is an example of the process:
 

Hand-Sketched Leaf and Dot Motifs

Leaf and Dot Motifs, Painted with Acrylics

Digitally-Rendered Leaf and Dot Repeat

 

Thanks for taking a look, check back soon for more!

Sashiko Visible Mending Class

I enjoyed taking a recent visible mending class through View Art Center in Old Forge, New York with instructor Niki English.  I've always wanted to learn more about sashiko stitching techniques and I've taken many books out of the library about the topic, but never quite got around to figuring out how to do it.

After three sessions, I conquered the basics, but there is so much more to learn!  I decided to apply a large patch to an old pair of my jeans, using one of the simplest Myozashi Patterns, the Triangle (Uroko).

Uroko (Triangle) Pattern Mend

Uroko Mend

I chose a very busy fabric for this patch, so it doesn't highlight the off-white stitching as much as I'd like.  Next time I'll try different fabric to get a bolder look. 

My next sashiko mend pattern to try will be one of the Hitomezashi Patterns.  I love the way the Ten Cross Stitch looks (Jujizashi) and I hope to tackle that one soon.
Thanks for taking a look!

Knot & Natter: A Fiber Arts Conversation - Tunisian Crochet Demo

Starting a Scarf with Tunisian Crochet

I'm partnering with Guilford Art Center to offer free virtual art sessions to the community during COVID-19.  Last Friday, almost 40 people turned out for the third installment of my Knot & Natter:  A Fiber Arts Conversation series.  It was so great to see lots of familiar faces, as well as some new folks from as far away as Virginia!

I'm really enthusiastic about tunisian crochet, thanks to a book and a hook my mom gave me a few years back (thanks Mom!).  I learned the tunisian simple stitch on a fairly small, double-ended (one hook on each end) crochet hook, and at that point I wasn't a huge fan.  But when I started to use a large (size 15) wooden tunisian hook and bulky yarn, I was, quite literally, hooked!

During the live session, I showed a few examples of items I've made using Tunisian Simple Stitch (TSS), including the scarf above and a small drink coaster.  Through demonstration, I showed how to start a beginning chain and then complete a forward pass and a return pass to finish one full row.

Tunisian crochet is so simple and fast and relaxing.  I love it - and judging by the earnestness of my class participants, so do a lot of other people!

I'm planning to offer more virtual sessions over the next several months on a variety of topics, so check back soon!

Knot & Natter: A Fiber Arts Conversation - Wrapped Button Bracelet Demo

Such a fun time during last Friday's Knot & Natter:  A Fiber Art Conversation!   Thank you to all the wonderful participants who came out to do some Friday lunchtime crafting.  I gave a demonstration for making a beautiful, fun, and functional wrap bracelet, using common household items - t-shirts, needle, thread, and buttons.

Wrapped Button Bracelet

Doesn't it look great?!

It was especially gratifying to receive some positive feedback from a few folks who were in the session - "Great!"  "Informative."  "Great demonstration!"  "You were organized, prepared, and your instruction was clear and engaging."  It's been a bit of a steep learning curve, figuring out all of the technology while at the same time providing videoed instruction.

I hope to be hosting a few more of these virtual sessions.  Check Guilford Art Center's website for more information.