Preparation and Making a Start

Process or Outcome: every touch leaves a trace

The photos above show ALL of the stitched sections which were returned to me. Both sets contain one section from each contributor. I wonder if you can recognise your own stitching? One set will be used to construct a coat with the 'right side' showing, and one set for a coat with the 'wrong side' showing. Taking these photographs may be the last time anyone actually sees these 'heads and tails': this side will be 'hidden' inside the coats and we will only ever see their reverse.

Counting the Sections: per coat

I have 395 stitched sections for each coat. Looking at the pattern pieces from the chosen design, I have worked out that I will need at least 366 full sections to reconstruct sufficient fabric for each coat. In the process of creating the shapes of the pattern pieces, some of your stitched sections will obviously need to be cut. Any raw edges will be overlocked and any remaining pieces of your stitched sections will be saved and stitched together to create a patchwork 'carpet bag', which can subsequently be raffled. I'll give you a full description of how I am actually joining the sections together in a later blog. Today I want to show you how well the calico toile is going ...

Following or Subverting Instructions

Following instructions has never been one of my favourite pastimes, but, in order to achieve the outcome I want from this project, the quality and standard of the construction of each coat is particularly important. A bit like 'Can't Cook, Won't Cook'. I am perfectly capable of following instructions when I have to, but my natural instinct would be to subvert the process in some way ... so this is a challenge for me ... but actually one which I am really enjoying now that I've embraced it, and stopped listening to the voice in my head that questions my ability to stitch conventionally. So, here is the 'outside shell' of the toile so far (I'm moving onto linings, facing and interfacing tomorrow). I have to say that I am particularly pleased with the pockets, hidden in the curves of the seams.

I'm really struggling to find any words today. I wanted to write a blog to show you what I'd been up to, and I've done that, so I'll save my philosophising for another day I think. Hundertwasser, Agnes Richter, Charles Darwin, Virginia Woolfe, Sylvia Plath, Karl Jung, Abraham Maslow etc etc etc will have to wait their turn. At the moment I am not stitching 'mindfully', I am having to really focus and stitch with an intense level of concentration. This truly is the section of the project in which I am creating, but which I don't necessarily feel is creative. Make of that what you will. Good night for now. See you again soon.

With love

Helen

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