Scripts and Scrolls

 

Eva Cantin

 

Eva Cantin

I have abandoned the computerized sewing machine for the time being, but I will be returning to it. Hand stitching has started at last with some more samples on different surfaces, textiles, paper and a combination of the two. For more about this see my blog.

Some of the surfaces will be distressed to echo the condition of the documents. This is quite enjoyable as it involves burning, wrinkling, sloshing muddy looking water around and other techniques not usually associated with neat, regular stitching.

I have had some screens made for printing with. These are based on some of the scripts and embellishments on the documents. I am so pleased with the results that I have ordered some more.

The top picture shows a sample of fine cotton lawn, printed with one of the script screens. I followed this by stenciling an enlarged outline of a different script fragment onto the fabric and stitching round it. The darker “lettering” is another enlarged script fragment cut out of a sheer black voile stuck on with heat fusible webbing. Then I applied some of the distressing techniques mentioned above.

The bottom picture is a piece of grey voile with enlarged scripts cut out of other coloured voiles and printed paper. 

My neighbour Lizzie is also taking part in the project; her specialism is printing. From the start we found that there were several features of the documents which appealed to both of us: the signs of ageing and decay, the different scripts, scrollwork and curlicue embellishing designs as well as the tally sticks. So we have decided that we will try make a piece together, including elements made by each of us. We might also make some elements jointly, with both of us adding details to each other’s starting points. We will keep you informed.

6th February – I have added a short update to this on my blog