Seams French

A sister project to "Boutis Blues", but with a brighter outlook, "Boutis Gold" represents hope and light. This project will require 8 - 10 of Medallion A, (see below) Medallion A and another 6 - 8 of Medallion B. (below) To create boutis, two layers of a fine white Swiss cotton batiste are stitched together into channels and small closed shapes, and are later corded. Medallion B Although traditionally cotton thread is the thread of choice, my preference for detailed stitching like this has become a 50 weight silk thread. (I use Tire thread by Superior . It's available in Canada through Cindy's Threadworks . ) As well as being a pleasure to stitch with, the contrast of gold silk on a bright white background, adds a luminescence not possible with cotton thread. The reverse side of Medallion B. Most of this project is stitched with a tiny back-stitch, (point d'arriere), one of the most frequently used stitches in boutis. The backgroun...

Europe is rich with magnificent historical buildings, many dating back to medieval times and earlier. Spending time exploring some of these amazing architectural structures is always a priority and highlight for me when traveling in Europe. After reading "Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett , I became particularly fascinated with cathedrals and living in France for a number of years gave me the opportunity to visit many of them. Cathedrals provide a huge source of design inspiration for me. From floor to ceiling, inside to out,  they hold a treasure trove of motifs and patterns. I have spent hours photographing and collecting data in these churches and cathedrals and they have become an important resource for me. Rose windows, in particular, fascinate me and have become a recurring theme when I'm making patterns for my boutis. The radiating bars that divide the circular windows into segments easily lend themselves to boutis design. With the help of my husband and ...

The second boutis "Cathedral Window" that I started back in February is well under way. (To get the right lighting for photographing white on white is almost impossible, (very frustrating) so I have included two variations of the same photo, hoping that the pattern will be visible on at least one of them.) Just as in machine quilting, when stitching boutis, the first step is to stabilize and secure the major design lines, working from the center out. So, starting at the center rose, all of the large arches and channels radiating from it were stitched first. Black and white photo of the entire design. Colour image of the same photo. Next, I continued with the first inner row of half arches, working the short, middle bar towards the rosette, and then on to the smaller arch. From there, each following segment in the circumference will be stitched sequentially. Some of the most impressive antique boutis quilts that I saw in France were stitched only wit...

What a Relief! Boutis is a play of light and shadow created by first, stitching the motifs and channels of the design (created specifically for boutis), and then inserting cotton yarn through these same channels. It's with the addition of the cording that the relief is created and this is what defines and gives life to the patterns and motifs of the piece. When working boutis, the cording process is just as important and time intensive as the stitching. That being said, the little mobile phone pouch on silk that I have been working on is finally stitched and corded. Stitched and corded, the little silk phone pouch that I have been working on is ready to be assembled. Once all of the cording was completed, I soaked the piece in cold water and tacked it tautly it to a sheet of Styrofoam. This is the opportunity to square up the finished piece of boutis and ease in (or out) any irregularities. In my post of February 11/2014, "Boutis...

Before leaving for home in Vancouver at the beginning of August, we are planning to spend a little time driving about the French country. Between following road signs and being "Mme. GPS", I may have a little time for some stitchery in the car. (Maybe more wishful thinking then reality!!!). However, we can dream. To practice "le point arriere" (back stitch), the stitch I seem to be focussing on this summer, I chose to make "Les capucines", one of Mme. Francine Born's smaller designs. For this pattern, yellow batiste is suggested as the backing, yellow thread for the stitching and white, yellow and green coloured yarn for the cording. This is Mme. Born's finished class example, keeping true to her recommended colour specifications. Here is my work in progress of "Les capucines", using her recommendations for materials and colour choices for the fabric and thread. For the cording, I will likely stay more monochromatic and s...