Unappreciated

I feel like these were unappreciated by me.  I detached myself completely from this after the contest was over and never really let them have any real spotlight because I didn't want to talk about the process all over again.  Now that is has been over a year maybe even two, I feel comfortable to share and give them a little spotlight.

These are just some pictures of a piece that went wayside after the competition.  I submitted it even though it was unfinished in my mind but it was done enough for the competition.  It was the Handlock & Embroidery Contest in the UK.  I want to do it again but I need more time to prepare and prep.  I feel like I did the best I could in my time and resources.  The guidelines were a little confusing and I thought I understood the purpose of the competition but clearly I didn't or wasn't deemed good enough to make it into the top 20. I tried so hard to make it authentic for the UK by studying British cording on uniforms and made and dyed my own cotton yarn and braided it to make it into cording. Anyways enough Pity party look at just the pretty details.

This is the part that I feel it is unfinished.  The back of this vest I want to encrust it with even more beads.  Every single one of these beads was stitched in place by hand by me.  I can't even tell you how many there are only that it took me maybe around 8 hours of work to get this much done.  Eventually I will come back to it but for now this is where she lies.

Hand and Lock - Colors and Fabric

I just made my order today for my Hand and Lock competition fabrics.  I am using Silk Organza for the body and Cotton Jersey for the beading underneath.  I am also getting some worsted weight cotton yarn to do some cording.  All bought from Dharma Trading Company.  Yes the website looks cheesy BUT they have incredible prices on dyes, natural fabrics and yarns and many other assortments of things.  I was able to get an 11 yard bolt of 100% silk 45" wide Silk Organza from them for less then $40 which is AMAZING.  I could fathom making my own wedding dress if the price is that low.   If you checked out the website you'll notice it all comes either white or natural colors in the fabrics and yarns.  Personally I think that is fantastic, since you can then dye the colors to suit what you want and need.   Perfect for this contest since I wanted to experiment with some ombre on the sleeves.   It will also make it so much easier to match my colors.

Speaking of colors I was looking for inspiration swatches for them since some of them seemed unfamiliar to me.  The following are all the colors in my portion of the brief that I am supposed to be using.
The pictures are of the following Indigo, Indigo, Antique blue, Blue Smoke, Crystal, Azure, Lead, Azure, Light Foam, Sky Blue, Sea Breeze, and Crystal.

Hand and Lock Embroidery Contest 2010- It's only the beginning

I've decided that I am going to enter in the above international contest.  I looked into it last year but had missed the deadline and felt that I was ill prepared either way.  This year I feel much better about my opportunity  to be in this.  I have a new confidence in my beading and smocking techniques as well as my overall design.  Fortunately for me this year's theme is Militaria!  Which is perfect I love it!  Something that I always try to put in my aesthetic as it is.  The only thing I could see going wrong is that international military references that I am pulling from.  I have been heavily studying the different medals of honor between the US and UK.  I was thinking of sticking with the United States metals such as the Purple Heart and Medal of Honor but am not sure how the UK judging would welcome that.  I remember from my past experience with the Styles Scotland Competition in College that you must be aware of who your judges are and where they are coming from.  Overseas and even in other cities judge everything differently.  The things that I could think would be a fun twist on a medal of honor could actually be viewed as an insulting bastardazation of their culture and history.  I'm treading on some very very loaded territory here with this contest.

My first order of business is to pull images for inspiration.  It is a Militaria theme and then you must pick a more specific color pallete already chosen with a description.  Which can be found on their website here.

I have chosen the last set
"Air Reactions

Rotors and windmills, stromy seas, magnificent waves, sudden splashes and sails.  In a plane amongst wind-strewn clouds, parachutes, hot air balloons and power kites.  Smoke and steam, typhoons, hurricanes and tornados.  This theme should represent our place along side the power and delicacy of nature.  It should use light and transparent fabrics, fluid jersey and ultra fine knits.  Structures in waves, puckering, gathers and textured falling lines. 
Colours - blue and grey tones, lead, antique blue, light foam and sea breeze, crystal, blue smoke, indigo, sky blue and azure."

Everything sounds perfect for the setting of a Semi steampunk oceanic voyage right?  Or as I like to think of it LAPUTA, the castle in the Sky.  That Anime has Military influences, not the best costume but hey it works for what they are doing and it is an older anime, not so much fantasy as the story line.

My biggest gripe is the fabric they describe to use, how in the world am I supposed to produce a heavily embellished military inspired jacket from "light and transparant fabrics, fluid jersey and ultra fine knits"?  I need a good wool or canvas to support what I am doing so we shall see.  Especially since I want to add fur to the collar.

I did find a wonderful source for 100% silk organza that has 11 yards per bolt for fairly cheap. 
Well I shall continue to Brainstorm! 
I did pay my my fee which was 29 pounds for Open Entry which equals anout $42 US.  I can't wait to get started!