One of my on-going interests has been 1939/45 Wartime fashion and Make Do & Mend. Reading information from this period often created imagery that I could use within personal projects. (Some more soon to start will be found here: PROJECTS.) Here are some ‘embroideries’ based on the following extract found in ‘Life in Wartime Britain’ by E.R. Chamberlin:
“Groping through the blackout, clutching their gas masks, burrowing into the earth; banned from all public entertainment, registered and documented; exhorted, congratulated and threatened by an ever-increasing flood of official propaganda, the people awaited the opening of the gates of hell.”
When I initially read this, I imagined many ‘faces’ – some found their way into my embroidery – seen here as (left 'The Destroyer of Worlds') a machine/hand embroidered mask with hand-made cords on a mirror base; (right 'Leviathan') canvas work, mixed media, luminous paint mounted on wood; (below 'The Groper') modern goldwork - can be viewed upside down & alters colour & design as viewed at various angles.
Many years ago, I bought a large quantity of these pattern hooks (3 shown here) to hold pattern pieces together so they didn’t get lost. They’re similar to a large metal knitting stitch holder but longer & wider (13cm /4.75" long & 2cm/0.75" wide at the hook end).
The advantage of using them is pattern pieces can be hung from a hook or holder, rail or a wide variety of other workroom things! Over the years I’ve used them for their original purpose but also found (as they’re easy & quick) they have many other craft uses. Here are some ideas:
- for hanging & holding cords, threads &/or fabrics for display purposes
- ideal for attaching to strips, skeins, lengths for plaiting, making cords etc - they are then used like a ‘third hand’
- light/medium weight items can easily be suspended – great for dyeing, drying, painting etc
- ideal for outside/wet craft uses since (mine) don’t rust – hang them on the washing line while spraying with water, paint etc
I'm using some 'DOTS & CROSSES' paper at the moment. Marked with small dots & crosses every 2.5cm/1", its traditionally used by dressmakers to make patterns. The dots &/or crosses are used as reference marks for making straight lines, curves, angles - in fact any shape that is needed for a clothing pattern.
- The paper is generally quite wide when purchased on a large roll - similar in weight to ordinary basic printing paper. It can therefore be used 'generally' for any craft as it handles & cuts well.
- Any type of basic master pattern can be drawn directly on to the paper - dots/crosses used as reference points.
- Any type of pattern can be scaled up (or down) in size by marking the dots & crosses into appropriate scaled squares (ie. 2.5cm, 5cm, 10cm / 1", 2", 4" etc).
- It can be 'coloured' using pencil, crayons etc. so is ideal for children to use to 'get straight lines' by joining together of the dots/crosses.
