Today I went to the Mill and handed over the last pieces of work … and what a relief.   I feel lighter, my flat is getting straighter and i’m pleased with the work I have produced. I’m relieved because it has been my first solo job, paid, not a College/Uni project – although it was an internship, I had to apply, interview, put a proposal together, work to a budget and then execute the work.  I felt under pressure from myself and its been an experience with feelings that I had to go through with it being the first. some of those feelings were … Continue reading 30th July – last day !!

all the memories are sewn together.   Unfortunately, I don’t have 5 bobbins at home to be able to put them onto, they’re at the Mill so I can do this on Thursday. I have also printed out the final 2 labels for the cable reels, together with a few more Strutt’s labels. I have run out of tacks to finish off the cable reels – I have one complete one to do and one with 2 letters waiting to be done and then just weave the thread on.   Debating whether to go now to b and q to … Continue reading 28th July

2 sewn together – 3 to go … but i’m off to read my book now and sleep I’ve used two different coloured threads – all Strutt’s cotton and may I say very strong stuff and beautiful to sew with.   I’ve used different stitches as well as some of the linen photos which join up two memories need to be zigzagged so they are well attached to the fabric below it Continue reading 27th July

Have just ordered some more linen and cotton papers to finish off the project and to replace the ones I’ve used from my own stock.   As i’m putting together the memories “curtain” i’ve used 2 pieces of linen so far and will need another 2 at least. Have been out for a break for a few hours so now going to try to put it all together by tacking it and then will machine stitch in morning … unless I get an urge to continue into the night Sketchbook is up to date and I will be leaving this at the Mill … Continue reading 27th july

what have i done today?   I have pieced together the pieces of memories trying to put them together according to their size and I have also cut up 5 pieces of fabric to go around each bobbin which each column of memories will be attached.  I have also printed out a couple of images of cotton reels which will be placed throughout the memories so that none of the writing is too near the edge.   None of this will make sense if you haven’t been following what i’m creating !    am cutting and pasting before going mad … Continue reading 27th July

Been to the Mill via Homebargains in Belper (huge place) as realised on way that I hadn’t purchased the extra coat hangers so thought oooh i’ll try there, but no.  So back to Wilko and got what I needed. We took down the current exhibition which is one celebrating 20 years of the Mill and volunteering (think that’s right). The area is where visitors sit down and watch a short video introducing them to the Mill and Strutt’s, so there are seats in the middle in front of the TV.   Around the edges of the room though are white display … Continue reading 22nd July

Spent an hour and a half doing a nightshirt with the forfeits that Mill workers were subject to from 1805 – they’re quite amusing some of them – looking out the window, Putting good cotton in dust Riding on each other’s backs!! Love it.  Have to say this last one is similar kind of childish thing we did at work during overtime one day – one of my colleagues climbed into the trolley we used for moving computers around but she tipped out and sprained her ankle!  She was going out with one of the Partners in the law firm … Continue reading 21st July

Been to the Mill today for an hour or so to catch up with Nicky and deliver the bolster cases … which were warmly received.  They are now hanging in Nicky’s office ready for the “basement display but not in the basement” !!   Due to the flooding, Nicky wants to display the work that is for the basement in the area where the TV is and where her office is.   There is currently a display about the work of the volunteers so when this is taken down on Wednesday, the basement display will go up….. EXCITED!! Although everything … Continue reading 20th July