'To have and to hold' series  

The 'To Have and the Hold' series of work made in the summer of 2022 were all inspired by the discovery of a Simplicity dress pattern when clearning out my Mother's house as she moved into residential care.

Mam now has dementia and no short term memory. My father died in 2009. They had a very happy marriage and through the stitching of this series I thought about and remembered the very many happy times they shared together.

The dress is made using the actual Simplicity dress tissue laminated to a fine silk for strength and combined with silk organza, cotton organdie and net. The net underskirt was from my daughter Katie's wedding - a nice link through three generations of women.

The dress and veil were first exhibited as part of the 'Monochrome' exhibition by Out of the Fold in September 2022

The whole series was exhibited as part of my solo exhibition 'Wool - Cotton - Silk' in October 2022

They can be seen again at The Guildhall, Bury St Edmunds in October 2023

The Simplicity dress pattern was not the one used for my mother's wedding dress. Her dress was much plainer. I think this was the bridesmaids pattern. A swatch of the white/yellow brocade silk satin used for the bridesmaids dresses was found with it. 

There are 5 layers of fabric in the skirt. Each layer has stitching with words from the wedding service. Much of it hidden. 

Drawing a veil

The 'Drawing a Veil' piece uses the First Holy Communion veil worn by Katie. It was the wedding veil from my sister-in-law's wedding and passed on to be re-used. This was only recognised once the veil was made and hanging in the gallery. Thank you Julie!

Some words from the wedding service are stitched on the net. Hard to see white stitching, on white net, on a white wall. But it reads

"For richer or poorer" and "In sickness and in health". Appropriate words for most marriages but especially poignant for my brother Stuart and his wife Julie. 

The Weaker Vessels

Also using pattern tissue I made these three vessels inspired by some words from the bible

1 Peter 3:7

Ye husbands, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and being heirs together of the grace of life.

The vessels are made of paper tissue and should be weak but through the addition of lamination, stitch and connections like buttons, zips and other fasteners become strong enough to stand

Pattern of Life

 The Simplicity pattern tissue is also used for this hanging. Playing with some of the words and instructions on the pattern. 

'Gather together here' and 'insert zip matching notches' instructions have been followed

I am fascinated how words from textiles and tailoring have passed into general usage. 

Pojagi pieced using laminated tissue and cotton organdie (and notions)