The week four challenge was created by Richard McVetis. This challenge was meant to keep you in the moment as you were stitching; staying present and just enjoying the rhythms os stitching. I really related to this since that is how I feel while sewing. It gives my hands something tactile and frees my mind to wander. A lovely challenge.
The idea was to try a number of different experimentations with couching. Couching is a technique in which you attach a material (such as thread, yarn, ribbon) to a piece of fabric with stitches. I have a short blog tutorial about it HERE, if you’d like to learn it.
I made a series of circles in which to try some different materials to couch, as well as different shapes.
I used a mechanical pencil to trace my circles. I then gathered some yarn, ribbon, and embroidery thread and really just let the process happen organically, without too any forethought.
I really took the whole relaxing thing to heart and sat outside in the backyard with this in my lap. When I looked down I noticed that I had picked up on the colors of my shirt without even realizing it. Sometimes inspiration comes from right under your nose.
In this circle, I spiraled inward using different colors of the same thickness of yarn.
I used a very thick yarn in this circle.
Here I just tried stripes of different types of materials. I also experimented with different stitches like the french knot and feather stitch.
Here I tried a criss cross pattern with ribbon and to the right, a piece of double helix-looking twine.
For me, this challenge had the desired effect of making me feel totally relaxed and into the rhythm of what I was doing, just letting my fingers lead me. I really learned a lot about the different effects of couching.
Thanks for stopping by. Maybe you’ll want to give it a try!
Hoping you are all staying strong, safe and productive,
Pam