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This is the auxilliary online home of Thistle Handwerks(www.thistlehandwerks.com), a one woman textile business that features naturally dyed silk hand embroidery in the Glasgow Style.
9-10 years ago when I was starting Thistle Handwerks, it was frustrating-not
to mention difficult- to find someone using natural dyes that could produce a consistant product on silk for my embroidery.
Joyfully, I found her, and have been fortunate to embroider with her glorious colors since then. Sadly, she is moving toward
retirement, and I will soon need to find a new source. I'm encouraged by the growing number of folks out there coloring fiber
with natural dyes, and, as I find them, I'm adding them to my "where to find naturally dyed fibers" page. In addition to using
them for embroidery, I'm also a knitter, and a new spinner- so, if I have used/experimented with any, I'll try to add photos/notes
to my "fiber samples" page.
PLEASE NOTE: by no means do I intend to be critical of fiber that is
dyed otherwise. There are beautiful non-naturally dyed fibers available from both large and small companies,
as well as indie producers!
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Wednesday, March 26, 2008
2008 Shows
This year I'm really cutting back on shows. As of now, you will see me
in September at Seattle, as usual. The Durango conference/show has been changed to a late spring/early summer event,
and is scheduled for 2009. Website updates will happen soon.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Applique going on here
I'm currently working on a large project that involves a lot
of applique, so this seems like a good time to show a bit of the process. Please excuse my farfromgreat photos, but you'll
get the idea.
Once the lines of the design are transferred to the fabric, and the applique pieces are cut out, they
need to be carefully pinned in place. You need to make sure the fibers are running in the same direction as the ground fabric
before you baste the pieces down. photos 1-2
After you've basted, measure and mark the outlines around the applique piece. photo 3 Generally,
I use 1/4" satin stitches, but for smaller pieces, that should be reduced. The needle should go down through the applique
piece, and come out next to the edge. Make sure the satin stitches are close together so the raw edge is covered. photo 4
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Applique Step by Step Coming Soon!
3:34 pm mst
Friday, January 11, 2008
Fantastic little colors!
Oh, I'm in color heaven! This past week I received a little packet
from France, and honestly, I could barely contain myself. Andie, of Renaissance Dyeing offers little "Textile Packs" that
contain wonderful treasures. This time I purchased a "Textured Thread" pack in shades of purples and pinks- it includes
slubbed cotton, silk/wool Bourette, and cotton chenille. I also got a "Perfect Pink" pack that includes cochineal dyed silk,
crewel wool, cotton chenille, and a cotton Mouline. "Perfect Pink" is upper photo, obviously. Thank you to Andie,
for giving me permission to use her photos. I've got ideas in mind for embroidery; if I get around to it anytime soon,
I'll show you what I do with it. In the meantime, I may do a couple little tests to see just how lovely it looks on some fabric.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Voila! and only ten days later.....
Yes, well, I'm so bad with a camera, I finally used my scanner.
He doesn't want another pair of mitts, even if they're knit from predator-friendly Montana raised sheep! So, I'm getting a
pair of Fetching mitts. I knit a pair for a friend's birthday, in an angora blend, and nearly kept them for myself. But, I
didn't, and since we had some snow today, I think these will come in handy next year.
Have a safe and warm new year.
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2008.03.01 |
2008.02.01 |
2008.01.01 |
2007.12.01
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coming soon
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Email me at thistlehandwerks
AT earthlink DOT net
or use the form below
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