The pocket handkerchief

At one time women had time to wash and iron cotton handkerchiefs and I clearly remember being sent to primary school with handkerchiefs in my gingham school dress pockets. I still wash ( but not iron) a fresh white handkerchief for my husband  to go to work with but I don't know why! A residual domestic goddess lurking in the feminist I guess. I am so lucky as very kind people give me pre-loved things for me to love and work with and these came in to my studio this afternoon.Those of you of a certain age will know the special place  Sooty had in out hearts. Thank you Sian for giving me a little bit of your own childhood……...

Nine patch

I have recently purchased this nineteenth century coverlet with so many tiny pieces of  loveliness within. This one is not for cutting! I trained as a surface pattern designer so can really appreciate the decorative elements based on geometrical and the natural world . A gem!

Chinese flowers

I am staying with my friend Rosie who has given me this lovely Chinese textile. She has given me permission to do what I like with it so you may see those little flowers appearing in my work soon .

Hexagons ( unfinished)

My daughter has given me a bag of old chintz hexagons for my birthday. Some of the papers are really lovely  - marbling, letters etc

Happy Easter

One of my students collects old needle cases and I thought that these had a hint of Easter if that yellow blob is a rabbit and those circles can be seen as eggs? When I see these it makes me want  to revisit traditional felt.

Bag

I used to make bags to sell but never felt they were of  a higher enough standard. I have been looking through old photos and this must have been one I sold as I don't have it any more. The trouble is that places like Accessorise can do it so much cheaper and better.Makes me want to return to that green palette though!

Mothers Day

A few weeks ago I went to the newly refurbished York City Art Gallery. I was much taken by a collaborative project between ceramicist Phillip Eglin and local children who responded to the gallery's collection of Madonna and child art. here are some decidedly funky mothers for Mother's Day!

Toile de Jouy

My daughter Alice has created some lovely neon Toile de `Jouy prints for Crabtree and Evelyn. I love their products so it is great to see her designs on them.  Go buy some!
Here is a little film they made about Alice's inspiration.

Joining

This afternoon I have been cutting up quilts and rejoining to create " frames" in which to work. I love over stitching an edge to an edge and ironing it out so you can see the joining stitches. Lots of tea dyeing draped all over the place too.....

Bewick Birds space on course

Somebody has pulled out of my Bewick Birds Stitched Drawing course at The Hearth on Monday 14th March. I am running this course in my studio and for four people only so it is very exclusive! Full details can be found on my web site and you can contact me through the web site if you would like to take the place.
www.mandypattullo.co.uk