Designing with Grids

Wilma Simmons: Magpie Grid, 2026

Straight lines - no not my style! However, here I am stitching grids to create net like structures.

In a recent Stitch Club workshop by Eszter Bornemisza, the brief was to create small, transparent textile samples consisting of airy, net-like structures made from a variety of leftover and recycled materials. Using machine straight stitch, small scraps of material including transparent fabrics, lace, cotton and paper were secured onto water-soluble stabiliser or a layer of paper napkin tissue, or mulberry paper. In the sample pictured above, I used cotton fabric scraps and some roughly cut out motifs secured to a paper napkin with stitching. I washed away the paper napkin , leaving a net like composition, inspired by magpies strutting about in the garden.

Eszter Bornemisza's s innovative technique has been developed over many years, and her gird designed map like installations are world renowned. Eszter describes her own work ; " For many years, I have explored urban life through the language of cartography, using maps as metaphors for identity, orientation and belonging. My work distorts, layers and reimagines city maps into transparent surfaces where light and shadow become part of the work. I use my art to reflect on our relationship with the places we inhabit and the ways we locate ourselves physically, socially and mentally."

I am lucky enough to own one of Eszter's artworks.

Eszter Bornemisza: Artwork (title unknown) from "Connection to Place" exhibition, Timeless Textiles, 2022

I followed instructions very carefully in the first sample until I realised that I am not good at sewing straight lines and ensuring the materials are secured. So, I went in another direction from the suggested workshop samples and created another sample which was an experiment, using a thicker thread in the sewing machine bobbin. Rather than trapping fabrics within the grid, I added to the grid after washing away the water soluble stabiliser. I added a base fabric of hand painted cotton and textured it with stitch and beads. I also added printed and folded tea bags into strips by weaving them through some sections of the grid. I think I was happier with this as it more reflects my own style.

Wilma Simmons: Tea Bag Connection, 2026

I have since been studying design patterns using grids, and quite like the idea of trying to distort grids and using some repetitive motifs in altered grid patterns - these seem so much more interesting than straight lines which feel and look uncomfortable in my hands. I have found great inspiration from a book I've owned for years and not paid much attention to it... until today! Source : Jan Messent: "Designing with Pattern " 1992

Giveaway - Gifts for You on My Birthday

Giveaway Gifts T his week is blog giveaway time! Last week I celebrated my birthday. I’ve had far too many to count the candles, but I had a wonderful party on the weekend with my family - with an indulgent birthday cake, favourite foods cooked by my husband and great company. ( In case you were wondering about the writing on the cake , Por Por = Chinese grandmother) I also got great gifts from my family and friends. There seemed to be a bit of a theme this year – with many of my gifts and cards depicting matryshoka ( babushka) dolls and tea drinking. As it is also winter here in Australia , it was easy for me to decide what I could offer as gifts in this birthday giveaway. All the gifts are handmade by me. Gift 1 - two little fabric matryshoka dolls Gift 2- a little bag made from colourful teapot and teacup fabric . The design is called a jester bag, but it is suitable for carrying s...

Fish and Sticks : Art Dolls

This week I've been working on fish and sticks .... The sticks are the message stick art dolls which were very popular, attracting some attention and a few orders at the Wise Women exhibition. Each of the message stick dolls are from the Wise Women series, each with her own personality and message of wisdom, handwritten on a handmade timber tag. I gather the sticks during my walks around my neighbourhood and the tags are made from special bits of timber, some collected by me or my husband or from off cuts gifted to us from another doll making friend whose husband makes bagpipes. These dolls start off very simply with a wrap around a stick, in the general shape of a body. 'Naked" message stick dolls - strips of wadding wrapped around found sticks. Then I usually wrap other layers of fabric, wool, and/or fibres, over which I do some simple embroidery. I sculpt or mould small face masks for these dolls. I really like using "sari ribbon" as w...

"Temari Or Not Temari?" Tutorial

Background Information: Temari (literally translated “hand ball”) is a Japanese folk craft that is alleged to have originated in China and was introduced to Japan five or six hundred years ago. Traditionally, the balls were constructed from wrapped kimono fabric remnants and silk threads. They were made by mothers and grandmothers for children to play with. Nowadays, decorative embroidered temari represent a highly valued and cherished gift symbolizing friendship and loyalty. Recently I've wondered if your don't use traditional techniques whether you should call what you create "temari". That is an ongoing debate but today I share what I do to make a "non-traditional temari".... 1.I start with a polystrene ball ( traditionally the balls were wound silk scraps or other organic materials) and begin to wrap with approx 4 ply wool, turning the ball as I wrap. 2. I then wrap another layer of wool in a similar fashion , this time a 3 or 2 ...

Empress Wu Designs with Wilma

Search This Blog