For the Love of Textiles

Today was an amazing day with my 2nd year students..  There was a flow in the classroom and they all worked very hard... At those days I LOVE my job... After the paper dresses that had to make a few weeks ago, they had to make a copy from a vase in fabric... Making a pattern was the big task.. Wrapping pattern paper round the vase.. Making darts to get the shape right.. Out came those.. There were many more.. But one was particulary good.. This one... Made by Mandy.. First made in paper... And after that in Fabric.. The inside looked even more Amazing..and all handstitched!! Next step was to have a close look at the Theme: "Sculpt",  which comes out of the magazine View . "Big shapes" is the starting point for my students to make a shirt or coat in imitation leather in bright colours. Step 1. Make an Inspiration collage..or Mood board..so you can start developing your garment. And they all sear

Stormy weather today... I made a little walk this morning.. Crossed the river with the little ferry... There is a lovely park opposite the city.. Leaves are falling... A few are left...but they will fly away the coming days.. Till only the branches are visible...and they remind me of the paintings from David Hockney I did see last February in London.. Hockney Trees I call them since than. Totally unexpected I was also more or less hit by an Emotional Storm myself last Wednesday. I woke up, didn't feel well..perhaps the flu was my first thought..went back to bed and after waking up a few hours later I found myself in tears, and couldn't stop crying for the rest of the afternoon. Suddenly it became too much for me. The pain, sadness..all emotions mingled together and I couldn't stop it.  There were just tears and more tears and I cried about all things which happened to us over the last years. And I am tired...really tired.. Which is visible I no

Last Night I did finish the yoke of my Odinn cardigan. I really like the colour combination. Kind of old fashioned looking perhaps, but with a brigh shirt under it -red or purple maybe - it will look modern. The rest of the cardigan will be blue, exept for the borders. They will be in a pattern too. It is my first time that I am knitting top-down, but with the on- ine help from Lopapeysa Queen Ragga it will turn out fine. I am really looking ofrward to Steek. Looks scary to cut into a fabric, but the instruction video in the course will make it easy.  After steeking I wil add a green buttonband to it. Odinn... You will keep me warm the coming winter. Icelandic yarn can look and feel very rough, but after a soak it feels much more softer.  For me Icelandic and Shetland yarns are the most authentic yarns. Last week -while visiting my LYS - I got another Icelandic treath. A wheel of Plötulopi  by Istex to try out. This yarn is not spun. You might expect t

This morning I did finish my 2nd ring at the Goldsmithcourse I am currently taking... So after pointing out the text with a permanent marker... No rush needed.. Take your time... I punched little pockmarks on it, so drilling would be easier...2 little mistakes...but no problem to me... The moment was there to drill little holes..which went perfect... Time to sand down to get it smooth and than polishing could start with the polishmachine... (that silver gets so hot!!) A bright and shiny ring appeared.. I took my beautiful red Habu yarn, a needle.. and embroidering was the next step... On one side: And on the other side: And inbetween an X in Blue yarn... So it is YOU X ME X and so on I have to say that I love this design...and the ring fits perfect. One day it might be "YOU"-day. .. And the next day it could be "ME"-day.. I simply love the Course. Jeannette is a great  and helpfull teacher and it