Table runner for Christmas

Here is the table runner that we're embroidering in the Saturday workshops between now and Christmas. I chose traditional reds and greens and the colours look great on the stark white Russian linen. Which by the way is stunning to work on. If you'd like to join one of the workshops in Lane Cove, check the details on the "Workshops" page and send me an email to join a class.

Colour play from the sketch book.

I want to share with you some colour sketches form my sketchbook. I always draw out a design and colour it before transferring it onto fabric. Usually I will play around with a few variations and colour combinations before picking up a needle and thread. Below is the original colour sketch and then the embroidery that was born from it and went onto a chair seat. And at the bottom are some current sketches with no embroideries made from them yet. If I use any of them for stitching I'll be sure to share the finished piece. I hope you find some inspiraiton here. Please send me any photos of sketches and embroidery if this is also your process. I would love to see!

Polish folk art on Sydney streets.

Not so long ago I was comissioned for another public art work by the local council in the Lane Cove area where I live in Sydney. These are electricity boxes that you see by the road side. There are a lot of them around and many Sydney councils have been comissioning artists to paint these. It's wonderful to drive around Sydney and see these random artworks on the sides of roads. My design is heavily influenced by Polish folk art... pretty obvious! If you're in the area these boxes are located on the corner of Epping Rd and Centennial Ave in Lane Cove. Funny story with these was that when I was painting them someone called the police to say that I was vandalising public property! I spoke to the police and explained. No arrests were made and the officers both complimented me on the design. You can see more photos on my Instagram account.

Take a white vintage table cloth...

If you have any old table cloths at home that have maybe yellowed somewhat or are stained and you can't get the stains out, here is somehting you can do. I dyed this table cloth in green dye. This was originally white but had yellow stains on it that I couldnt get rid of. I hand drew the floral patterns on this and then chose orange and white as contrasting colours. I LOVE the result!

Australian Floral Emrboidery

I did these flowers a few months ago and recently took them out again. Now that the weather in Sydney is getting warmer I'm keen to go bush walking and see the stunning Australian wild flowers that are coming into bloom as we speak :)

This floral emboridery was inspired by Australian natives.

Painted Easter Eggs - 2014

Every year I greatly enjoy hand painting Easter eggs. I always use blown out chicken eggs, or goose eggs if I can get my hands on them. This year I used a variety of markers, permanent markers, fabric markers and Giotto pens (these go onto any surface and give a matt finish). Fabric markers are fun to use on egg shells because they are semi transparent and the colours can be blended softly. I used black permanent marker for all the outlines.

I was very happy with the results. But I'm even happier with how I photographed the eggs this year. I had these old pages from a calendar with vintage botanical drawings. I added a filter to the photos and am thrilled with the results. To me they look like little quirky artworks :)

Have a safe and joyful Easter everyone!

 

 

What you can expect from one of my workshops

Hello friends,

 

I've been running small embroidery workshops since last year. I enjoy them immensely and I am happy to say so do my students. I keep the class numbers small, never more than 6 people. This allows for plenty of one on one guidance and discussion. There is ample time for discussion, sharing of ideas and questions about projects that the students are keen to start at home after the class. The pace and atmosphere is relaxed and each student can work to their own pace. No one has to worry that they might be slower or less experienced than other students. I invite you to come along to one of my workshops in May, you will leave inspired and with an age old craft as a new skill.

 

I'd like to share with you a testimonial from Yumi who did one of my workshops last year and has not put down the embroidery needle and threads since then. I am SO happy to see her so inspired. The photo shows Yumi's current work in progress, she said she was inspired by the colour of the flowers (in the photo). How beautiful! The pattern being embroidered is from my limited edition prints.

 

 

 

"Hi Kasia, thank you for introducing me to the wonderful art of embroidery. The course was very enjoyable and it made me wish we could go back in time to a place where women used to sit and embroider for hours on end. It has been such a useful skill to have - I love that I can take my embroidery everywhere I go (even in the bath to relax!). You inspire me with your beautiful works, especially your floral motifs. I was very excited to see your new embroidery kits included some pretty floral designs. Thank you for sharing your gift with us and teaching us ever so patiently and always being so encouraging. Yumi xx"

 

To book in for the May workshops email me at kasiajtextiles@gmail.com or clik on this link for all the workshop details: http://us7.campaign-archive1.com/?u=8f802c1557284e520ba0e568e&id=7820b59afa

Learn authentic embroidery in a three hour workshop

You're invited to a relaxing embroidery workshop in the beautiful setting of One Village Shop in Lane Cove.

Learn the basics of hand embroidery in just three hours. We will be following a beautiful pattern in your choice of colour and you will leave with enough knowledge to continue at home, even teach your children or a friend. This workshop is suitable for absolute beginners or intermediates, the patterns provided can be worked in many different styles and I will guide you according to your ability. It's easy, relaxing and inspiring. I hope you can join me :)

DATES & TIMES: Sunday 4th May - 9:30am - 12:30pm
Sunday 4th May - 2:30pm - 5:30pm
Wednesday 21st May - 6:30pm- 9:30pm

LOCATION:
One Village Shop
12/105 Longueville Rd
Lane Cove 2066
At the end of Central Arcade on Longueville Rd

WHAT'S IN THE PRICE:
$79 per person
3 hours of tuition in a small group of maximum 5 people
45cm x 45cm linen pattern
2 colours of DMC embroidery floss
needle
wooden embroidery hoop
drawstring storage bag
instructions to keep and continue at home,k

BOOK YOUR SPOT:
Call: 0450 356 462 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 0450 356 462 FREE  end_of_the_skype_highlighting
or
Email: kasiajtextiles@gmail.com
There are a maximum of 5 places for each workshop.

CAN'T MAKE IT TO THE WORKSHOPS?
You can purchase my embroidery patterns with instructions in my Etsy shop.
Go to https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/KasiaJacquotShop?ref=search_shop_redirect

TO FORWARD THIS INFO TO A FRIEND:
Send this link: http://us7.campaign-archive1.com/?u=8f802c1557284e520ba0e568e&id=7820b59afa



 If you have any questions or comments or would like to discuss doing an alternate project during the class please don't hesitate to get in touch, I'd love to hear from you :)
You can call me on 0450 356 462 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 0450 356 462 FREE  end_of_the_skype_highlighting or email kasiajtextiles@gmail.com

Kasia Jacquot :)

Exquisite Korean embroidery

Recently I was given a rare opportunity to have a close look at the most exquisite Korean embroidery. My friend (and embroidery buddy) Yumi Wong-Pan let me borrow and take home six vintage silk wedding panels (yay! And eek!) The panels are about 70 years old and their luxurious feel and stunning thread work cannot be described in words nor can it be conveyed in the photos I took. The panels were approximately 1.2m long and 40cm wide. From what I could tell by looking at the work, most of the embroidery was done in single strand some details with 2 strands. It's not just the technical skill that is to be admired here but the colour choices and illustration are equally awe inspiring. The majority of stitches are sarin and stem stitch. The person who created these was evidently a very skilled needle worker as well as a highly talented artist. Yumi is planning to hand them to a museum. I am so grateful that I got the opportunity to handle these and examine them closely. I feel so inspired!

 

Detail of the back side of the flower pictured above.