Final Major Project

After strict instructions to spend half term 'project free', I'm now beginning to think about my final major project! I'm so amazed to have got here, and am determined to make the most of this last project. (Part of me is looking forward to sewing something without having to make a sketch book first!)
Anyway, I've picked the theme Cathedrals and Pilgrimages. Feeling inspired by Grayson Perry, and my favourite place on earth, Canterbury cathedral.
No artwork of my own to post yet, so a couple of images which inspire me.
One is the altar in Canterbury cathedral which marks the spot of Thomas Becket's murder. I love this space in the cathedral, still full of impact even now. The other image is St Clare of Assisi, patron saint of needlework. If you're thinking about saints and pilgrimages and intend to create some textile art, she needs to be here!

Green Knowe Quilt

My penultimate project is due in on Tuesday and is not quite finished, much to my frustration. I am discovering that textile art finished to the quality I want is very time consuming, and I could quite happily spend another month on this piece.

The starting theme was Landscapes, but the discovery of crazy patchwork mid way through the project led me down some unexpected paths. And here is the end result. It's a crazy quilt based on the Green Knowe books, by Lucy Boston. I created a special piece for each of 16 patches using a variety of techniques; cross stitch, fabric crayons, printing using a pc, crewel work etc. I then used fabrics suggested by the books, especially The Chimneys of Green Knowe where patchwork features in the story. I included velvet and 'satin', printed cottons and linen.  The photos show the patches in blocks of 4, then all sewn together. As you can see I haven't managed to embroider all the seams, and I have ideas for further embellishment. Backing and binding would also be desirable but way out of reach for Tuesday!

If you want to read the books they are available from Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/green knowe books

Topiary and Roger and Toby's patches

St Christopher, Alexander and Susan and Jacob's patches, the peacock's tail feather

Oscar, Ping and Ida and Linnet's patches with topiary animals

Tolly's rocking horse, Neptune the carp Chinese style, the witch ball and Hanno the gorilla

the whole quilt, as yet unfinished but you get the idea!