Since my favorite art supply is randomness, I’ve started an embroidery project wherein I “rescue” (purchase) incomplete embroideries from thrift shops and then take them to completion in my own way.
I should say this is far from my original idea. I’ve read about people doing things like this, most notably Shannon Downey’s “Rita’s Quilt” project.
So here’s the piece in its original form, and where I took it. The picture on the left was taken on July 22nd, and on the right, on August 23rd. (When I realized it was exactly a month of work, I tried to call it done because I do like date symmetry. But it needed some more the next morning, so alas.)
My project isn’t to try to suss out what the original embroiderer had in mind, but rather to use it as a jumping-off place.
To add a level of complexity, I’m using mostly fiber I’ve also purchased at reuse stores, thus also from abandoned projects. Full disclosure, I do supplement with my own stash, some of which was bought new! I like to use a variety of threads and textures — so the original embroidery was made in yarn, I’ve used silk thread, regular cotton embroidery thread, perle cotton and sashiko thread. I also threw a little applique in there — the fabric pieces were sourced from Fabscrap.