Thursday, January 31, 2008

dorset feather stitch postcard

I used to think there must be some sort of special kind of feather stitch that was done in Dorset. But no, it is the arrangements and patterns that are the characteristic Dorset thing. Buttonhole, chain, stem, wheatear, single and double feather stitches were all used, with some variations, in these typical pine cone and squiggle shapes, in a variety of borders and groupings. It was started by Olivia Pass, in the Dorset Women's Institute. I found references to this work on two other blogs, here and here.

We were doing this work at the West Hampshire and Dorset Embroiderers' Guild meeting last week. The idea was to make a sort of case / bag to contain sewing bits and pieces but as I am unlikely to be tidy enough to put my kit away in it I thought I'd make a postcard instead.

Typically I am working on a wild version, which will also be a postcard eventually:

6 comments:

Grangry said...

These are super! I do like this kind of stitchery.

Angela said...

I love both your samplers the traditional and the wild, they are wonderful

Anonymous said...

These are really beautiful ... I am more partial to the wild look, myself!

Things Hand Made said...

Thakns for that info as I looked on my shelf for the book on Dorset feather stitch and find that it is by Olivia Pass. I hvae used some of the motifs for crazy patchwork.

Gill said...

Thanks for the link to my blog. The Dorset Feather stitchery exhibit in the touring "Textile Treasures of the WI" exhibition provokes so much interest - clearly it's hitting the spot right now.

I especially love your "free form" interpretation. Lovely.

Mermaid's Purse said...

Just searching for some examples of "Dorset Feather Stichery" ........ they are lovely!!!!