More C&G work going on

Last weekend started to fill in the Inuit book, looking closly at their clothing. This meant that when I reach the section on their four main stitches I could use the piece of Reindeer skin that my friend D gave me =) ... By the way - anyone know how to seal the edges of skin with fur on ?? Coz now D has cut his full skin the fur in molting... Does he wait for it to stop or is there a treatment he can put on the cuts ???

The main stitches are:
1. Over casting
2. Running
3. Waterproofing

I went for showing the waterproofing stitch with the reindeer skin. This is unique to the Inuit and requires you to complete stitches by not breaking both surfaces. Thus the thick leather made sampling easier.

I did not have any sinue to use and after considering tooth floss which I have been told was simular in texture and strength, I went for beading thread. One benifit was that there was no minty smell as you stitched.
I am SO in impressed with the steamstresses who make the full outfit by hand. This was HARD work. The first time I have ever wished I had a thimble.
Having to get used to not breaking both surfaces of a piece of leather and keep the fur out of the way and push the needle AND stop the leather tearing by not pulling too tight !!! WOW ...

You can see the full set of photos as I created the waterproof stitch here.

During the week I have been looking at the panel I need to create for C&G. The design is of Lilies with intertwinning stems and frogs. Anyone who reads this will remember when the design was first created. So this is the full design of the lilies and two frogs will be added about 1/3 down. I had originally planned to stitch the lilies and frogs onto a plan calico background.

This is the stitched sample from my design book. The tutor who marked/reviewed module 5 remarked that I should reconsider the background as the images appeared the float off the calico.
To this end I have been trying a few mock ups using the computer to cut out the stitching and place on new backgrounds. I have made a few looking just at the top 1/3 of the design ... See here .
I then have taken a few to created a full colour design to see how the colours work. Below is one of my favourites at this time. But you can see them all ... See here .
Remember this is a mock up using computer graphics - But what do you think ??? This panel needs to be started next weekend (another bank holiday here so I have lots of 'free' time) - even MORE so if I need to dye fabric. I have ordered purple, yellow, orange, red and black dyes from Art Van Go. The lady on the phone said they would ship those today - so I expect to have them for next weekend =)

Next week will be a short one work wise .. YEY !!
Wednesday to Friday has been booked off (so an even LONGER weekend ) ... Wednesday evening we are joining two friends to see Meatloaf play at Wembley. The Thursday I am meeting my friend L in London to have lunch, catch up and visit the latest exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts about Monet :Pastels and Drawings.
http://www.royalacademy.org.uk/

The rest of the weekend will be C&G work and making my sisiter 50th birthday pressy. Her birthday is 18th June so I should really get that done too !