All the while I’ve been waiting for the exhibition to be finalized I have been working and trying to keep figuring out how to do more vessels. I really like manipulating the fabric, but I have no way of knowing if things are going to work out or not. I cannot visualize things ahead of time. I have to just start and let my hands try things, then adapt what I know with what I can see and in fact sew together. It sometimes means sewing at odd angles but… that seems to be what my brain wants, and well I’m usually pleased with the results.

It was intimidating to start again after making ‘heartwood.’ It took so long I got lulled into just doing, and when it came time to try something new I was a little resistant. But I have persevered and this, has come out of the effort. I call this one ‘cloud cup.’

This one was a piece of left over silk quilt batting. It was a rectangle and I stitched in some gathering thread and gathered it into a puff. I stitched around the base with blanket stitch to make a foot base to stand on then after more gathering stitched the side seams and around the top edge. The inside is a lovely scrap of hand dyed cloth I did ages ago and have always loved because of its clear blue sky look. and attached a bit repurposed lace from a garment.

The embroidered stitches were simply done following the contours of the peaks and valleys made by the gathering. Because it was so soft and small it was easy to work with and it truly is cup size as it will sit in my upturned palm.

I am learning more in a new piece right now but will save photos for later. So… until next time.