Saturday, September 7, 2013

pleating of sorts...

my latest obsession is forms of pleating. Karen Ruane demonstrated pleating on her little pleating machine and i've been experimenting ever since. i'm doing another form of irregular pleating by hand and am loving the way it's turning out. i've completed two 5" square patches so far.

click on the images for close-ups.

habotai silk, pleated and tacked down to a base cloth with french knots. a 5/8" embroidered band between the patches that are 5" x 5"

the plan is for a nine patch of these silk, pleated squares with the embroidered band between each patch. i have no idea what it will be used for...maybe just to admire, as it is so soft and light.
i already have a label for the back. i embroidered the first band in white, forgetting that i wanted to do it in pink and other pastel colors, so that first band now has my initials and the year and will be a perfect label.

a label for the back of the nine-patch

i continue to go to bobbin lace class on Tuesdays and still struggle to do this craft on my own, but i do enjoy it, so i continue. here are the last 3 pieces i finished. they will, eventually, be stitched onto a cloth project.

bobbin lace on a silk eco-dyed background
and couldn't resist this cloth at Joann's last week...don't those bonbon yarns match perfectly. i have some ideas in mind for this.

nice way to buy a variety of yarn colors for a small project

we finally got a good rain on Wednesday night...with lots of thunder boomers and lightning. lots of damage in my area with falling trees on houses and roads. the trees are so dry from the drought. i guess the trees, being so dry and unstable,  couldn't handle that downpour and strong winds. i was lucky and had no damage.

NOTE: Karen Ruane is contemplating another class real soon. it will include so many wonderful techniques and you will be able to just watch and/or participate when some technique appeals to you. check today's blog post for more information.

21 comments:

Tina said...

You have been bitten by the pleating bug

karen said...

your bobbin lace looks pretty darned perfect to me!!! The soft, pleated cloth is perfect and I agree.....you can have it purely to admire, to love....

Nancy said...

That lace is very mouse-like!
I love the choosing part, pulling together materials, fibers and what-nots that "go" together! Love the basket with green.

henrietta (aka ani aka zani) said...

well, just never know who passes through the neighborhood on a late summer night - besides goblins and winged things that chirp in the night. the pleating (non-pleating for a non-class) is coming along beautiful and the bobbin lace - an old craft with lots of tradition and it is so wonderfully executed here...gorgeous. and the wool - yes, it's getting close to those days isn't it...and who is this Karen Ruane person - i imagine she must be very good for you to hang-out with her. i hope she is handy in the kitchen too. i'm looking for a good cake recipe so maybe i should tag along just incase there are so crumbles to be found. great stopping by and seeing your stitch - witchery.

Judy said...

I'm glad you escaped storm damage!

What mm of habotai did you use? I love the effect! At first I thought about how the silk would look dyed, but then I really admired your white....and then I read that you were going to do more dyed! LOL

Bobbin lace....an unexplored territory for me! I love your results!

xxoo

Ginny Huber said...

Yes, I see that the pleating bug has indeed visited you and with fine results..I like seeing evolving projects.....and the bobbin lace..sigh!

margaret said...

your silk project looks great, I love the twiddling etc, I am a big fan of Jennie Rayment who really is the master of twiddling, pleating etc. Bobbin lace is beautiful, not a technique I have tried. Trust you did not get storm damage, the weather seems to be changing all the time, we are getting floods here in the UK at times, so devastaing for those who lose all their posessions.

Jane said...

I love the idea of a nine patch pleated block, it looks so soft, almost as if you could dive into it. That needle lace is stunning, and will be wonderful to use in your stitching. Have fun with your lovely new projects

MulticoloredPieces said...

Hi, Deanna. Those silk squares will be beautiful when all worked up--silk can be so light and elegant. But my favorite is the bobbin lace--it is just too beautiful...and something I will never do so I'll watch you. Glad to hear you finally got rain.
best, nadia

Els said...

ripples like water (or milk ;-) ...)
Your bobbin lace is so refined !!!

Mo Crow said...

those ripples are delightful and the bobbin lace is a wonder! Karen's class is getting very tempting!

Cathie said...

Hi Deanna. I love pleating and stitching. Or wrinkle stitching. There is an art quilter who does the most beautiful wrinkle stitching (she calls it crinkle quilts.)
She takes fabric and scrunches it into a vessel after it has been soaked with starch. She then lets it dry for days. Pulls it out and stitches on it. Do go take a look. I have been watching her "crinkle quilt" for years. I've tried it myself with great success. They are beautiful and can be done in color - or, like yours here - in white would be beautiful. https://plus.google.com/photos/106951938232499269471/albums/5037061641002918641?banner=pwa
Take a look and let me know what you think.
Cathie

blandina said...

I do love your pleating, it is like a soft cloud and makes me dream. Congratulations on your bobbin lace, I tried this technique during the week and I know how difficult it is!

Unknown said...

Youve been doing some beautiful work Deanna. I love the way you've taken Karen's pleats and reinterpreted them into your own. Im looking forward to seeing what you come up with next♡

Peggy said...

Hi Deanna, glad you got some rain. I'm hoping we do, too. So dry here. I read this before and clicked on Karen's link right away -- think I may take the plunge in her next class! All your beautiful embroidery has just cast a spell over me, I want to learn the magic. Your pleated silk is gorgeous. xx

neki desu said...

the pleating idea sounds very exciting

Jillayne said...

I love your "irregular" pleating Deanna - it looks beautifully soft, and my fingers just want to play with it!
As for your lace - the finished result does not display any evidence at all of a struggle, it's beautiful! I think it a wonderful thing that you have the ability to create your own lace to use in your other work. Truly inspiring!

Stitching Lady said...

Wonderful post - love to read all this and the hint of Karen Ruane's class in future is very good ! Thank you also for your comment on my not so serious bag with roots....

Anonymous said...

bobbin lace?!! are you kidding?! I am way impressed.

Rachel said...

Silk ripples so beautifully, doesn't it!

Anita said...

Pleating looks fabulous..Silk is flexible,isn't it?
Love your bobbin lace pieces.

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