Stitched Portraits

Regular readers will know that I'm no stranger to stitched portraits. I can frequently be spotted surreptitiously sketching people on trains and in restaurants which I then translate into stitch. But this week I've tried a different approach and have ended up with something a lot more cartoon like... and fun!

One of the other tutors in Jersey last week was Louise Gardiner. If you are not familiar with Louise's work then check out her website... her portraits are totally mad and fun... a lot like Lou! As well as being incredibly talented she is also a lovely lady... after all what's not to like about someone who buys you a hot water bottle on only the second day you've met. (We had heating problems in our guest house... as in total lack of!)

Louise was teaching classes in free machine embroidery and getting the students to draw fabulous whacky portraits using the sewing machine... (check out Angela's) and I was desperate to have a go. So this week in my Tuesday machine embroidery class I grabbed my chance. It was the last session this term so the students were given the task to make fabric postcards using any of the techniques we'd covered during the past two terms. And while they were busy stitching I made some of my own postcards based on some little drawings I did of each of the ladies in the class.


Free machined in black thread on calico and finished off with a touch of red... Margaret above and Helen below.

Vivien,

Joan,

Carole,

Jan,

and Thelma!

They were all busy trying to work out who they were meant to be so when they arrive tomorrow they'll know! You could be forgiven for thinking I teach a rather peculiar looking bunch of ladies but in real life they all look quite normal... honest! I was just glad that four of the ladies were on holiday yesterday or I would never have got them finished.

And while I was busy with the portraits the ladies finished their postcards too... which have also gone in the post today. Let's hope they bring a smile to a few posties' faces!