Category: Uncategorized

If you watch the videoclip you will see exactly where the original screenshot for the multiple designs originated

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The Pateh is 100% wool and really hard to keep .It very often get washed and the colours bleed into each other and it shrinks . Or it is eaten by moths and becomes unusable .I have retrieved several pieces from small markets and friends ,cut them up and reused them in pieces of work . It is so so satisfying!

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Caring for Woolen Crafts

To keep wool , woolen garments and woolen craft pieces free from moths you can either keep them in an air tight vacuum pack but remember to air them often , bring then out into the sun in order to stop the deterioration of the woolen fibres . You can also pack them in a box and dab essential oils such as cloves, lemon , eucalyptus and mint in each corner of the box . Pepper and peppercorns are also a great prevention agains moths and their larvae. I have used strong scented bars of soap for years mixed in with my woolen yarns and also lavender bags . The advantage of the oils , lavender and soap is that the wool keeps a fresh smell . Precious pieces of woolen handiwork I keep hanging on an open rail on coat hangers. I hang grated soap bags or lavender bags in between the pieces and cover with a sheet . This way they are protected but also are getting some air.

Sometimes damage is un preventable…. but do not fret too much , get out your needle and thread and darning mushroom , and darn away ….. It can bring so much charm to pieces that are otherwise would be thrown away!

This is a new project based on research on Sue Spargo and Iranian Folk craft Pateh Doozi. I am not a great lover of folk art so this will be a challenge! Although I am gaining more respect for it day by day as I take on the task. will be a quilted wall hanging 68cm x 110 cm .

You can follow the preliminary stages of it through the photo gallery

Researching tesselations lead me to apps on my device which allow me to tessalate almost anything ! I took photos of my work ( the original contemporary Pateh Sampler ) , created a tesselation design and recreated a template to begin embroidery from black and white photocopies .

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Favourite Digital Design Ever!

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This is my second Pateh sampler and I used this photo in App.Ollogy and it gave me an exquisite design that one day I just have to sew!

Here are some examples of original photographs or digital designs which i have put through tessellation apps and recreated a new tessellation design .

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I have named this project Reverse Design because it started with a spontaneous embroidery project at the beginning of Lockdown . The embroideries were inspired by an online stitch group with Sue Stone . The stitches just flowed , I didn’t plan anything . From the embroidery came drawings and new designs ….. digital designs and prints …and now there are some woven fabrics in the making !

Usually the process begins with drawing , but this time it began with embroidery.Although one could argue that the needle is the pencil and the fabric , the paper….. the thread , the line.

Well , what with the disastrous effects of the Corona Virus in Iran and the dismal stories of execution….. I have had a bad month . Being British there are many things I am careful not to criticize living here in Iran this under the Islamic Republic ….. and there are a few things people are saying “no” to lately….. but execution is particularly hard to swallow …. fortunately there was an appeal granted for the three young men concerned but unfortunately other senseless executions have taken place since .

This is a small concertina book embroidered with 3 Pateh Stitches , saghe doozi, petk chahrgoosh and matn doozi. It is embroidered on the Pateh Ariz fabric from Kerman . The 8 cm x 5 cm tobacco tin is a vintage relic from the 1930’s .

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I have visited over 60 old houses so far! I am just learning about the architecture and the terms they use …. the difference between Ghajar and Pahlavi house styles etc….

It has been fascinating to learn about north / south lay outs … three sided and four sided lay outs . The houses are set round a court yard which has a fountain in the centre . In the old days water would flow freely from the ‘Cheshmeh’ – the source , but today due to water shortages and distribution this system has been blocked off , saving water for the orchards in the north of Kashan . As a refuge from the Summer heat , the houses have wonderful underground caverns beneath the property in which to keep cool. The wind towers allow the air to flow down to the basement , pass over a flowing fountain which cools the air . It is incredible how the temperature drops down there !

Its 2019 and I decided it was time to make the move I have been planning for a while …… Kashan . I have made many trips there but actually moving there sounded crazy to so many people that I decided to make an effort to go every week for a while … get to know it a bit more and test out the Summer heat !

My family were hoping the whole idea would wear off… And to be truthful , I thought it might but every time I went I loved it more. A friend and fellow textile artist Simin Ghodztinat was just on the verge of moving into her renovated house so I decided to visit . When I walked in , I knew this was for me .

My kids have flown the nest and I am looking forward to my Third Act . The Corona Virus threw me a little but I am back on track and Iran is where I want to be .I feel like my relationship with this country is taking on another perspective and I can now really spend time exploring . Until now , even though as a family we have traveled and seen most of Iran , being Mum and Wife have been my priorities . Keeping the fine cultural balance and understanding the nuances can be all consuming and the complexity of the culture and traditions are hard to pin down ! But I have enjoyed and relished all the years …even the difficult ones ! …and there have been a few !

I have been privileged to have been a part of this culture and to have had a chance to glimpse the ‘ inside ‘… My heart and soul live here …. they always have , I think !

Kashan is a city in Esphahan Province in Central Iran . It has a population of approximately 400.000 . It is still very traditional and religious.

It is hot ! Summer temperatures can reach 48 Degrees Celsius but can drop well below -10 Degrees in the Wintertime. Half of the city is situated at the foot of the Karkas Mountain range and the other opens up to the Marangab Desert .

So …… Why would I choose Kashan?

There is something about the place that pulls you in and unlike other cities it has not become over populated as yet. Most probably because of the reasons mentioned ! It has kept its provincial atmosphere with the old houses and bazaars but has become so accustomed to travelers and tourists there is a certain tolerance for westerners even though they adhere to strict religious values . But after living in Iran for over 35 years now ,I think I am well versed and prepared to deal with the traditional ideology …. and the older I get …I love the desert heat even more .

So my search is on for the house!

Update on Kashan : CORONA HIT / POSTPONED FOR NOW