As I mentioned in my last post, if I want to create embroidered art I need to go right back to the sketch. But where to start, I have so many books on drawing and wild flowers in art, many I inherited from my Grandma others I have bought in charity shops. If you have always thought that ‘Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady’ by Edith Holden was a book that only lived in charity shops then think again, it is amazing example of botanical sketches through a year in the British countryside (and it is interesting to compare weather patterns, so British!)
However, reading books is a long way from actually putting pencil to paper, where do i start? I can copy photos but I’m not sure I can compose a piece of art. However, my fear of making a start was eased a little when my 8 year old asked about making some victorian costumes for her toys so I had a hunt through my books to see if I could give her some ideas, I have two period costume books and in one I found a sketch I had done when I had planned to make my own wedding dress. I finally bought my dress as my dressmaking skills are not great but the sketch and the idea still appeal to me:

I know it is not perfect, the twist at the bottom doesn’t work but the idea and the shaping is ok. So, if I could do it then I should be able to play with some ideas now. Hmm,