handcraft Archives - Doris' Website

Liberating Linens!

I love fabric in all its forms, especially linen. With age and use, linen becomes soft and drapes beautifully. Linen is extremely durable, it is absorbent, strong, doesn’t abrade and is stronger when it is wet. Linen or flax has been used for clothing, bedding and other household uses for many thousands of years.

Although linen has had a resurgence in popularity, it’s been primarily in the clothing industry. It makes me sad to see beautiful linen napkins, hand towels and tablecloths in thrift shops. Some have beautiful handwork – tatting, crochet, embroidery, cutwork. Someone has lovingly and painstakingly created these precious and useful items.

So, I recently liberated a few pieces of linen from a thrift store. The bureau scarf above has a few small holes but the crocheted monogram and the detail around the entire piece is still pristine.

This hand towel with the beautiful deep crochet edge is in excellent condition and just needs to be pressed.

The tatting on the linen hand towel below has a little damage on one end. If it can’t be repaired, I will probably dip it in indigo this spring and then use it in an art project. I could also remove the damaged end, hem the towel. It is just to beautiful to toss!

The hand embroidered flower garland is made of a coarser linen. I’ve washed it a couple of times to remove some stains, but they are stubborn. I will probably cut this one up for a project I have in mind.

The puppies are also stained but too cute! This too will be cut up into a project.

Liberated Linens

Liberating linens is not a new endeavour for me. Whenever I find napkins, towels, table runners or any other linens, I can’t help but bring them home with me. But, I can’t keep them all!

The cocktail napkins above are dyed a beautiful purple. The set of 6 would be a fun addition to your next tea party. They are embroidered with a small flower on the corner and hemmed with a beautiful scalloped edge.

Two shibori dyed green cocktail napkins. Best with a dry martini!

This set of 2 cotton table napkins in blue and spring green are just perfect for a fun luncheon with your best friend.

Three elegant napkins are shibori dyed in blue. Enjoy take out in style!

Look for these napkins in my new online shop. If you have any ideas for my newly liberated linens, let me know.

Yorkshire Rose Quilters’ Guild Holiday Market 2017

vending / By dorisL

Finish up, or start your Christmas shopping at the Yorkshire Rose Quilters’ Guild Festive Market!

A selection of beautiful hand crafted items will be available from our members.

Hand dyed scarves, pyjamas, knit clothing for American dolls, soaps, pillowcases, book covers, preserves, cat toys, knit socks, and Christmas ornaments are just a few of the handmade gifts available.

Admission and refreshments are free for everybody, so bring a friend or two. Enjoy delicious Christmas goodies provided by the Guild Executives. Pick up a complimentary ballot to win a door prize. Bring your cash, as most vendors won’t have machines to accept credit or debit.

Date: Wednesday, December 13, 7:00 to 8:30 pm
Location: Danforth Mennonite Church, 2174 Danforth Avenue

Hope to see you tonight!

Hand made fabric greeting cards

Fibre art / By dorisL

I have created a series of blank greeting cards using some of my hand dyed fabrics, and embellishments collected over the years.

The note cards are a fun way to use some of my precious fabric pieces that are too small to stitch with (although some of my friends would not agree!)

Shells were collected from beach vacations. I purposely chose only shells that had a small hole, with the idea that I would stitch them onto some artwork in the future.

I love the beautiful and nuanced look of Oakshott Cottons. The warp and weft are woven with two different colours, you can see the turquoise and blue in the piece above. So much more interesting than just a solid!

A vintage linen napkin with a lovely finished edge in fuchsia is combined with cheesecloth and a heart. I call this one Twisted Heart!

Indigo paired with glass beads and ribbon to celebrate your accomplishments.

These blank mixed media note cards will be available soon in an upcoming holiday market.

Community Centre 55 Fall Fair Booth

Fibre art / By dorisL

Spent the day outdoors this past Saturday participating in Community Centre 55 Fall Fair. It was a beautiful hot day – more like summer than the beginning of fall! The tent held hand-made items by @peggythompson, @amysplacehandmade and myself.

Peggy is hanging up her tie-dyed t-shirts and had her beautiful jewellery is on display at the rear of the tent. Soy candles, bath salts and soaps scented with essential oils created by Amy from Amy’s Place HandMade were available. Her teacup candles are so beautiful!

Hand dyed shibori scarves are hanging, catching the breeze!

l brought a selection of pouches made with hand dyed canvas and repurposed leather. Also on display are some of the quilted art postcards made with hand dyed fabrics and beading.

Indigo table runners, dinner sized napkins, and pillow cases are on display.

Pillows made with indigo dyed cotton, cotton/linen.

It was great to spend some time outside talking to people from the neighbourhood.

Studio setup and packaging

2 Comments / Fibre art / By dorisL

Improving my photography skills has been on my to do list. With time on my hands this weekend due to the cancellation of the Urban Market, I was able to try experimenting.There is a bit of shadow in this photo of a hand dyed habotai silk scarf.

I draped this silk scarf over a navy paper bag, again a little too much shadow.

This wool/silk blend scarf was laid out on my ironing board. I really love that you could see the colour transition and the patterns that are created. But the photo would probably better if the scarf was hung vertically.

I draped some white paper to create a backdrop like real photographers do in studios. My roll isn’t wide enough! This is another wool/silk blend that was dyed in pink, grey and blue.

l will look into wider paper and also better lighting. The light source in the photograph above is coming from the window to the left. This habotai silk scarf shows up better than the first one I think.

I have purchased some new light bulbs and will try again. The habotai silk scarf above is beautifully vibrant in real life, Much better looking than in the photo. Having 2 light sources on either side will certainly work better. I do like the way the scarves look draped rather than flat.

Urban Market at Trillium Park, Ontario Place Labour Day Weekend

vending / By dorisL

Summer is a time for enjoying the outdoors. This Labour Day weekend spend time at the new Trillium Park at Ontario Place. I will be displaying my hand dyed original scarves along with 30 other vendors at the Urban Market. This event coincides with the 150th Anniversary Festival at Ontario Place.