Chapter 6 - Tassels

These first two tassels are fairly basic to get me into the mood! I really enjoyed this chapter and would lie awake thinking of ideas! (I know I need to get a life!)






















Left - Soft embroidery threads with a crochet bow. Right - A collection of novelty threads.





















The left tassel is made with cords from the previous chapter and the right one uses 'sari silk' ends which fray brilliantly.






















A regular tassel with a ring a baby tassels fixed around the fringe.



















A triangular tassel made on square cardboard, machined in the middle and then folded over twice.



















This one was made with machine covered wire which was then spiraled and fixed into a fimo head wrapped with novelty threads.




















A machine embroidered head folded over to form the fringe plus added beads.






















The tassel above is made from pink straws wrapped with ribbons and threads, cut into sections and reassembled into a fringe with threads, beads and buttons. The head is a felt ball.

























This is my version of a super tassel! 2 wooden balls at the top from a wrapped ring with the fringe wrapped into various sections + beads.

Chapter 5 - Cord Making

A - Machine stitched cords



















Machining cords on tights, fabric, wool,wire, plastic bag,ribbon and gimp.





B - Twisted Cords















Above from the left 5 samples of twisted cords using wool, machine cords, threads and fabric and 2 fabric twisted cords using only one twist with glue.



C - Knotted, plaited, and wrapped methods














Above from the left 2 knotted - 2 wrapped - 2 plaited - 1 (small) half knot and 1 twisted chain.



Turks Head Knots

Chapter 4 - Decorate with Stitchery

I was so keen to do some sewing of any kind that I began this sample without any idea where I was going!....to try and save it I did random machine spirals around the border...not sure it was saved more likely sunk!





















On the left rows of spirals creating a sort of background pattern. On the right same stitch but forming a spiral.


















Hand stitched background with a machine cable stitch over the top.


















Lots of tightly machined spirals




















Designed a 3 layered spiral pattern then stitched it in stem stitch using variegated silks & a shiny DMC....added a few beads for focus.





















Large spiral in buttonhole stitch increasing in size then added a knotted stem stitch in wool.






















Each of these large spirals are in whip stitch with varying threads - sometimes 2 threads wound on the bobbin or 2 on top or single threads varying the bobbin tension.



















This is a Spiral design worked on water-soluble fabric in hand stitching then free machined over the spiral before putting the support machining across to hold it together.
I think these would be effective when overlapped and couched onto fabrics.

Chapter 3 - Fabrics & Threads

Colouring bits and pieces in a jar


































Fabrics & Threads in both colours













Monoprinted Fabrics

Chapter 2 - Design Work

I have choosen the complementary colours of green (apple/lime) and red (cerise/carmine). They appear in my research and green is usually a colour I avoid, so thought it would be a good choice!

Coloured Papers



















Twisted Patterns and Cords from Paper

























3-D Spirals using Corrugated Card



























Monoprinted Papers



















Spiral Drawing using Paint Shop Pro

Module 3: 'Spiralling into Colour' Chapter 1 - Research for Man-Made Spirals

Accessory Ideas: I had a day at the Art in Action Show near Oxford in July and spent hours looking at spiralling jewellery, some of the ideas have been drawn in my sketchbook. I am particularly attracted to the large spiralling neckpiece on the last page. I apologise for my attempts at sketching but must keep trying so I hopefully improve!