1TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge Week seven: Christine Chester workbook

TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge Week seven: Christine Chester workbook7Making straight lines reveal curves

“I work with hand-dyed and printed fabrics using stitch as an integral layer that works with, and embeds in, the background layers of print and dye. As such, stitching is mark-making and I like to make the stitches compatible with the marks that are already on the fabric. As an extra element, I use the stitching or marks to convey or support the idea contained within each piece of work.

When working with printed and dyed marks, it is very tempting to use stitch to simply follow the lines and shapes already on the fabric. Of course, that might be the right approach for some very complex dye processes.

However, there are often fabrics that we love and want to stitch, but following the shapes in the design would be difficult, or not particularly inspiring. Sometimes there are not enough marks in the right places in your chosen fabric. In these cases, creating harmonious marks with stitch needs a slightly different approach so this challenge is to encourage you to think of stitch in a different way.

The challenge is to draw or reveal a curve using straight lines and straight stitches only. The idea is to consider other options rather than simply following the shape outline that is already there. After completing this challenge, you could experiment further with stitch to reflect other marks that you might find on your fabrics.”

Christine Chester

2TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge Week seven: Christine Chester workbook

TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge Week seven: Christine Chester workbook7

The challenge

What you’ll need• A4 paper

• Pencil

• Ruler

• Biro or fine line pen

• A piece of thicker paper to make a  template

• Embroidery hoop 8" is a good size, bind the inner ring with bias-binding if you prefer

• Selection of threads for example stranded cotton, hand-dyed cotton, coton à broder or fine wool

• Fabric 12" / 30 cm square for example a piece of linen, calico, wool or cotton

• Sharp-pointed needle suitable for your chosen thread

• Scissors

• Draw a 15 cm square on your A4 paper.

• Divide this into nine smaller 5cm squares by marking a line at 5 cm and 10 cm along the edges.

• To make a template (optional), draw a 5 cm square on a slightly thicker piece of paper, then draw a curve either from one side of the square to another side, or from one side then meandering back to the same side. No points or straight lines! Then cut out the template.

• In your nine squares, draw your curved shape lightly in pencil either freehand or using your template.

Mark-making on paper

3TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge Week seven: Christine Chester workbook

TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge Week seven: Christine Chester workbook7Use a pen to draw straight lines to reveal the curve. Experiment with different options:

1 Fill only one side of the curved shape (for example with parallel lines or intersecting lines)

2 Fill both sides of the curve but change direction as you cross over the curved line

3 Change the character of the line (stitch type) as you cross over the curve but keep the same direction

4TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge Week seven: Christine Chester workbook

TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge Week seven: Christine Chester workbook7

• Using a sharp pencil, lightly draw a 10 cm square in the centre of fabric.

• Divide this square into four smaller 5 cm squares.

• Draw your curve, again lightly with a pencil, into each of your four squares (you can use the template again if you like).

• Stretch the fabric evenly in your hoop.

• Use straight stitch (or a line stitch of your choice, such as running stitch or couching) to stitch your favourite four drawn designs onto your fabric. If you are stitching lines that often cross over, it may be easier to choose a long straight stitch.

• You can use knots to start and then weave the end of the thread into the stitches on the back to finish.

Stitching lines into a curve

4 Change weight of the line (thread thickness) at the curve but keep the same  direction

5 Draw lines from one side of square to the other but leave a small gap either side of the curve (voiding the curved line and leaving negative space)

6 Draw short or long lines at a tangent to the curve

5TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge Week seven: Christine Chester workbook

TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge Week seven: Christine Chester workbook7Stitched Examples

Final stitched sample

Challenge sample with variations in stitch type: straight, back-stitch, couched and whipped running stitch

6TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge Week seven: Christine Chester workbook

TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge Week seven: Christine Chester workbook7Examples of Christine’s work

Palimpsest (2015)

Layers of Memory (2013)

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TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge Week seven: Christine Chester workbook7

Afterwards iii (2015)Landscape of Memory ii (2017)

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Notes

TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge Week seven: Christine Chester workbook

TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge

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Week seven: Christine Chester workbook

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7Notes

TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge

TextileArtist.org community stitch challenge Week seven: Christine Chester workbook

Week seven: Christine Chester workbook