coutures anglaises

So I planned to finish this as my last post of 2024. Oops.

Thank goodness for social media, right? Well, not always. But today I learned that the French call French seams "coutures anglaises." I think that is just lovely - reciprocal appreciation for a beautiful technique. But this post has nothing to do with clothing construction. No, this post is about two challenges that I just finished. They were great fun and I garnered lots of inspiration from each. And they were free!

Kathryn Chambers' Weekly Stitch Journal

This challenge began in December of 2023. Kathryn, or k3n, has a popular channel on Youtube called k3n clothtales. In December she posted some loose instructions for constructing a paper journal that would become the vessel for weekly hand-stitched little pieces of fiber art. Then every Monday, k3n published a video with a theme and some easy techniques. 

My journal contains 54 pages for some reason. I skipped one page because it was thick with paint. And now I have one page left. Luckily 2024 has 53 Mondays. k3n will publish something on this last Monday in December, but she has promised (only) a flip-through of her stitch journal. 

I expect it will inspire something for my final page. This weekly journal has already influence how I will make fiber art in the future.

I'll post some of my favorite weeks below:

January: Light and Dark

February, obviously

April, eclipse-inspired

Kawandi-inspired in March

kintsugi-inspired

Still crazy, after all these years

The center of this mandala is shiny paper that is reflecting the trees - not actually green

reverse applique - a personal fave technique

imitating nature

Maya Angelou inspiration

Jane Dunnewold - Complex Compositions

This series occurred fairly early in the year and was difficult for me. I still learned a ton, but have few remaining pieces that sing to me. Many who were enrolled had been in a previous class where they had printed lots of paper with acrylic paints - lots of interesting techniques. Anyway they had lots of papers to start with. I did not and so spent my time printing papers. It was fun and I've incorporated the papers into other projects like bookbinding.

Jane Dunnewold - Print Perfection

This was wonderful! We learned how to print on fabric using thickened dyes. I know I'll return to this again and again. Unlike printing fabric with fabric paint, printing with dyes leaves the soft had of the fabric, and so it will make lovely garments. Again I learned a great deal and hope my notes left me with enough breadcrumbs to avoid mistakes I have already learned from!

12mm silk printed with stencils, painting with a brush

Silk noil generates more muted prints, here via one silk screen, and brush strokes

Cotton printed with stencils and a stamp

Cotton printed using a cool technique invented by Jane

Silk charmeuse scarf printed with screens and stencils, then overpainted.

Jane Dunnewold and Zenna James - Presence in Practice

This challenge was a smaller undertaking but still time-consuming and great fun. This mother-daughter team issued a daily challenge for 12 days from Dec 10 until Dec 21. Their challenges came with short audio meditations (so worthwhile!), a place to share with other participants, a theme for each day, and then a list of suggested materials. 

I want to do more tone-on-tone stitching in 2025.

I discovered gell printing in 2024 - such instant gratification

Day 12: In 2024 I found out that I enjoy stitching on paper.

Since it was 12 consecutive days, and we did a little bit of holiday travel right in the middle, I was slow to finish. I made day 12 after the challenge was over, and I think it may be my favorite. 

I was pushed in some new directions with this challenge, as neither Jane nor Zenna provided any examples of the daily pieces. I actually liked that even more. I used supplies I have on hand and had a great sense of satisfaction and reflection upon completion of each 8" x 8" piece.

2025 - Diamond Jubilee for me

There are so many ideas floating in my imagination and an embarassment of great supplies for making. I'll be carving out lots of time for making. Daily, or weekly, or monthly challenges? Clothes? Art? Journals? And new year's resolutions are futile for me. I will continue to enjoy responding to others' inspiration with my own twist. 

Wishing you happy making in the coming year!