Following On From Gness' Inspirational Crochet Thread

[Tilly2]

I thought I'd like to have a go at making something. I have been having a look at the Kaffe Fassett tapestry kits and wondered if anyone has any tips about what I should do and where I should start.

Is it a good place to start?

[DTCwordfan]

the Mater has just done one, Tilly and, despite the Alzheimers, seems to have largely managed, just a mix up on some embroidery colours in a 'daisy chain.'

[lady-janine]

kaffee fassett can be complicated. maybe sompmething more simple to start. i have one you can have if you get in touch. [email protected]. han't got all the wools now but they are easy to get.

[Tilly2]

How kind of you lady j. I hope it has instructions! I will need them. I'll get in touch. Thank you.

DTC, has your Mum being doing them for a long time?

[tonyav]

What is Kaffe Fassett ?.

[jomifl]

Have you thought about felt making Tilly, Mrs.jom does it and you would be amazed at what you can acheive with it. It can be a bit wet an messy but it is clean mess.

[Tilly2]

I had no idea you made felt. I though you just bought it from a shop. I will investigate.

Kaffe Fassett is not a 'what' Tony. It's a 'who'

[Tilly2]

sorry. forgot to say thank you, jomifl

[tonyav]

Ok Yilly, who is Kaffe Fassett ?.

[Tilly2]

Kaffe Fassett is an American-born artist who is best known for his colourful designs in the decorative arts—needlepoint, patchwork, knitting, painting and ceramics. "Colour is his very medium, whatever the substance he uses."

There you go.

[Rosetta]

ehrman's do some Kaffe Fassett tapestries. They come as a pack, including the wools. I have done one of their kits but they can be quite fiddly. Have you done tapestries before Tilly?
http://www.ehrmantapestry.com/Departments/Cushions-and-Pillows.aspx?sortorder=2&page=5

[Tilly2]

No Rosetta, I haven't this would be the first one. I have done lots of cross stitch in the past.

[tonyav]

Right so now I know, thanks Yilly.

[Rosetta]

lol, if you can do cross stitch, tapestry should be a piece of cake. Could I suggest if you do do one you choose something with decent sized blocks of colour, you have to run the start and finish of the strands of wool under stitches. I made the mistake of starting off with light coloured wools, its amazing how dirty they can look with all the subsequent handling. I never really got used to using a frame, but they do keep the tension of the tapestry more even. Good luck with it :-)

[Tilly2]

I'll pop into the local department store tomorrow and have a look in the wool and crafts department. I want something easy to start with which is a bit challenging but not just a big cross stitch piece. I'd like to do something textured with interesting stitches.

[DTCwordfan]

There's quite a bit on line too, I believe, having bought one for the mater not that long ago.....- thought I had kept the e-receipt but I'll take another look.

[boxtops]

I do the Erhman kits (I have several upstairs waiting to be opened when I have time...). Have a look at the Erhman catalogue - some of the Kaffe Fasstt ones are more complicated than others. True that the kits are not cheap bu everything is included and the wool is good quality. I love it. Many years back I made the Unicorn Chained, it's huge and is on my bedroom wall - it was very fiddly and as I kept coming back to it rather than going at it full time, it took me seven years from opening the pack, to mounting the finished article. I find it very therapeutic.

Ooh, just found their link for you, I want that peacock! http://www.ehrmantapestry.com/default.aspx?gclid=CJOOidH56LcCFdIPtAodcGAAmQ

[boxtops]

Tilly, try one of their mini kits to see if you like it http://www.ehrmantapestry.com/Departments/Mini-Kits.aspx?sortorder=1&page=1&PerPage=500

[Tilly2]

So, boxy. When they show a cushion, does the kit make a cushion or do you have to make it into a cushion yourself?

[Tilly2]

Thanks DTC.

[boxtops]

I'm knitting at the moment, mostly Christmas-themed items for a craft fair in October....