Lesage Level IIII

I have completed the Level IIII design and here are a couple pictures.   This one on white background.   

and the same design on a black background.

I am not really happy with some of the roses and the leave.   I have extra fabric etc so I am going to make more.

The metal organza has "wonder under" or some similar produce ironed onto it.   I copied the design onto the back of the white organza and then ironed the metal over it.

RIGHT SIDE (with metal organza on top)

wrong side with design on the bottom

I will tack the metal organza down to make sure it does not lift and proceed to add the sequins and beads etc.

I plan on using the additional leaves and flowers when I have the motifs framed. 

We have been in Paris France for the last couple weeks...  I took another class at Ecole Lesage

Here is the Level IIII piece I am working on it is entitled "Les Ambitieuses" or Roses Sculptées

There are three appliques in this piece, large, medium, and petit plus 10 leaves.  The above is the large applique (5" X 3.5").  Once the each is done it is cut out, the leaves (1.5"long) are sewn on and it can be used as an applique.  All of the beads and sequins are done from the back.   The teacher was not complementary of my bead and sequin work although it did improve as the class progressed. The ribbon and trim parts are done from the top and the instructor loved my ribbon flower.

These are the leaves in various stages of completion (1.5" long).

This is the large piece completed in class before the leaves are sewn on.

This is the large piece cut out, lined, and  the leaves are added.

The leaves actually hide a lot of the bead and sequin work.  When I mentioned this to the instructor she said that this is the way couture is done ... a lot of the time all of the work is not seen.

Now I am working on the petit piece

Have to work some more on my flower  cut it out and add the leaves.

Level IIII teaches you to:

▪ add beads (size 15), and sequins (3mm) without looking

▪ add the tubes (around the large rose) using the pull stitch without looking

▪ using ribbon and metal strip lamé

Next time I will share some of my ever changing favorite things about Paris

  

Forget-me-not pillow

I decided I had to the make pillow out of the piece I finished a few weeks ago for my friends birthday. 

I found simple instructions at  needlework.craftgossip.com. on how to cover a pillow form.

 Happy Birthay Cheryl only a few months late!!

One of my students/friend is going on a cruise and she made herself a linen wrap.  She embroidered some flowers and leaves on white organza cut them out, sewed the applique to the wrap, and added a beautiful lace to the edge.  Great job Jean!! It is really is beautiful.

I have been working on my Psychedelic Circle quilt and have it sewn together. 

I took several pictures as each one looks different because the lamé fabric picks up the light differently each time.  The circles on the right side are not sewn on yet and there are two that are still on a frame.  The small blue one is done but the brown one is still in progress.
I am plugging away at it and in between I am practicing my Lesage skills as I am going back to Ecole Lesage Paris this summer to take Level 4.

P.S. When I went back into my sewing room I discovered my little friend was trying to help out!!

Forget-Me-Not Pillow

I have finished 3/4 of the background for my Lame Psychedelic Circle quilt and have one more circle to complete.  For some reason I am dragging my feet and choosing to work on other things....

This is one of the projects that I promised to my friend Cheryl.
Last year for her birthday/house warming present I made the picture below.  This is it before it was finished.  I found I did not take a picture of the completed project.  The tissue paper circle in the lower left is a circle of forget-me-nots around my chop (initials).

The flowers are raffia with beads in the center.  The leaves are floss and sequins and some are woven ribbon floss.  It did get completed and is framed and on her wall.   

This year I promised a pillow for her bed to coordinate with the above picture.  

She loves forget-me-nots so I used my Arlene Baker flower mold and Dye Candy blue velvet to make my own version of forget-me-knots.
The poem is from a vintage "motto picture" and it is unattributed. 

The writing is done with the "tambour hook" using YLI metallic cranberry thread and beads.   

close-up of flowers 

Now the fun begins... I have a pillow form 20" by 16" , the black duponi and all I have to do is sew it into a pillow covering..............

I think I will work on my the last part of my Lame Psychedelic Circle quilt ................................

Host Hotel Textile Show & Brimfield Flea Market

The Textile Show, Monday at the Host Hotel in Sturbridge MA, kicks off the week long events in Sturbridge and Brimfield Mass. 

My first purchase were these vintage beads.  They usually go for $25 a bunch these days but I got all five for $45.



Tinsel Trader Booth

Tinsel Trader Booth

Tinsel Trader Booth

Tuesday through Saturday the fields in Brimfield Mass open boasting over 4000 dealers.
There are plenty of "free" areas or fields each with different names to explore.  Each day a "pay field" as in $5.00 to get in opens. We have been going to Brimfield Monday through Friday.... May, July and September... yes every day... for more years then I can remember.  So we have our own system.  Monday I usually go alone or with the "girls".  The Host show is all textile dealers and can be very pricey.  Not many bargains but lots of gorgeous things to look at.

On Tuesday we usually get there about 8am and start at Shelton's field.  I have 2 or 3  fave dealers there and usually head straight to them like a homing pigeon...  My fave dealer Thoroughly Antiques has a shop in Concord MA.   I have never been there but hope to some day.  Her tent is always delightful even if I don't find something I can not live without. 

Thoroughly Antiques from Concord MA

Thoroughly Antiques from Concord MA



Thoroughly Antiques from Concord MA

This time was no exception.  Cary, the owner, had these vintage steel cut size 15 beads tucked away.  They are hard to find and her prices were great.  I love to use them to embroider my name or chop on my work.

Wednesday is my favorite day because New England Motel opens at 6am, Heart of the Mart opens at 9AM and Jeanne Hertan opens at 12noon.   No biggies until I got to Heart of the Mart.  They have a huge circus tent filled with vintage textile and clothing dealers my fave dealer there had nothing I wanted but another one had these tiny, size 15, clear glass beads that go with all the glass buttons I have amassed and I could not resist. 

I also visited another of my fave dealers Beads by Sandy.  I always find something unusual there and this time was no exception.  He is on line but tends to have different things at Brimfield and sometimes better prices.

These metal 3mm sequins were something I had to have. 



Thursday is Mays and Friday is J and J.  Found a few things but nothing great.  I have a whole list of things I look for and it just happened all I found mostly were beads this time around.  Have to wait until July...................

A Tribute to Adrian

In November of 2011 I received my first e-mail from Adrian.  He was in living in Paris temporarily well attending classes at Ecole Lesage.  He told me that reading my blog had inspired him to fulfill his dream of taking these classes.   He had saved and planned and was living in Paris for 6 months.   Over the next four month we e-mailed frequently chatting about Lesage classes and different techniques.   I shared with him some of my experiences and also the best places I had found to shop for supplies like sequins in Paris.  

In my last e-mail to him I suggested we have tea in NYC when he returned as I was planning a shopping trip there.  He replied he would not be able to as his schedule would not give him the time.

In February I stopped hearing from him.

Life gets busy... when I had not heard from him in March I sent several e-mails but had no reply. 

In April I received an e-mail from his nephew saying after a long illness he had passed away.

I wanted to show you his work.  He completed two Level I pieces,  both in different colors then the one I did.  

Gold Raffia on the flowers and white chenille leaves

Once you have completed the Level you can purchase additional "kits" of the same piece.

  

He also made this pillow for his sister.  The pattern is from the pattern book  Ecole Lesage Chez Vous.

When his nephew advised me of his death he also told me Adrian had asked that all of his embroidery supplies be sent to me.  So over the last several weeks I have received two boxes.  One containing fabrics and leather and the other containing beads, sequins, and his tools. 

It makes me sad when I look at all of the wonderful things I have received from his estate and I must remember he wanted me to use them in the craft we both love so much.