Alison Cole (Goldwork and Stumpwork) Website- new kits and new look

A site that I've loved for many years

http://www.alisoncoleembroidery.com.au/

 

has an elegant new look, and Alison has released some lovely new kits. She often designs historically inspired pieces from the Jacobean period to William Morris, and her Or Nue insect range is just lovely! (I really want to do at least one!)

This is one piece that I particularly admire - a modern design of a signature Australian flower - the waratah.

Alison Cole - Goldwork Waratah

  "This waratah is worked in dimensional goldwork embroidery on a background of Colourstreams hand-dyed silk velvet - simply yummy!  This one is only small - approximately 10cm x 15cm and is padded with soft cotton and felt and embroidered in English purls and Japanese couching threads along with kid leather."

The kit is at
http://www.alisoncoleembroidery.com.au/kits-and-supplies/goldwork-kits/new-south-wales-waratah/
Click on the image to see a close up of the waratah.

Some comments on the new kits -
The stumpwork deer floral - lovely! The supplies mention "feathers" I think they are used in the flying insect up the top of the piece. Do you think I'm right? Close up at http://www.alisoncoleembroidery.com.au/uploads/images/catalog/stumpwork-deer-floral_f_1_1800_1.jpg?ac=17449. 

It's very impressive that a kit of this standard has been released.

"Featuring only techniques used in traditional Stumpwork from the 17th Century, this piece is a delicious challenge for the experienced Embroiderer.

Worked in a variety of silks and English metal threads on a silk satin background, it features petit point slips, silk wrapped vellum and five variations of needle-lace among its many techniques."

Check out the lovely bee on the header of the Contact Me page! I love her use of the kid. It must have been hard to work - very shaped, and tiny pieces.

I'd love to do the new "Memories of Italy" piece! Yuuum! http://www.alisoncoleembroidery.com.au/kits-and-supplies/new-releases/memories-of-italy/

 

 

  http://www.alisoncoleembroidery.com.au/uploads/images/catalog/siennese-illuminated-treasure_f_1_1800_1.jpg?ac=42531

 

  :the berries on the sides - detached buttonhole stitch in red thread over kid?!? Pretty sure that's what it is. Love the scrolly vermicilli too.

  http://www.alisoncoleembroidery.com.au/kits-and-supplies/new-releases/beetle-wing-floral/

 

:  I love the way the bettlewings are attached using that "V" of thread - using straight stitches as are traditionally looks relatively ugly in my opinion. You can't hide the stitches used to attach the wings, so making a feature of the way they are attached is a great idea!

And that's just the new kits! There are many many wonderful older ones - goldwork, stumpwork, or the two techniques combined. As you can see, Alison has many wonderful ideas, very solid techniques, and beautiful supplies. You can also buy patterns for some projects.

She also sells some unusual supplies. A great range of coloured kid leather, ...and would anyone like to try use some cane toad skin? (Cane toads are a big pest here in Australia - they were imported to the North in order to cut down on....grasshoppers I think. Now they are taking over the lower end of the ecosystem up there and the population is slowly travelling south, the rotten things!). She also has some vintage French metal sequins in gold and silver....http://www.alisoncoleembroidery.com.au/kits-and-supplies/supplies/

Have fun if you haven't looked at her site before :-)