Kathleen Matthews as far as I can see doesn’t have a website, which means unfortunately I can’t link her webpage but I have been lucky enough to find some information about her and her work.
Why do I find her work of interest?
An artist with extensive knowledge about her chosen medium. She works with hand and machine embroidery and creates her own landscape rather than copying one, which I find interesting. She uses photographs in her work, sketchbooks, and other processes to create her amazing stitched landscapes.
About the Artist
Taken from the Searchpress website.
Kathleen Matthews lives in the Forest of Dean. She studied Art, Design and Fashion at Lydney School of Art and Cheltenham College of Art, and has continued studying textiles since. She has also qualified as a teacher of Japanese Embroidery. For many years she has lectured in all kinds of textiles including Design, Patchwork, Quilting and Embroidery at the Forest of Dean College in Gloucestershire. Her quilts and wall hangings have won awards at shows around the UK and one has been chosen to represent the UK in the World Quilt Show in Florida.
She has written a book:
About the Book
Creating Textile Landscapes: Kathleen Matthews’ Guide to Quilted Masterpieces
Kathleen Matthews’ work embodies the perfect blend of art and craftsmanship, bringing landscapes to life through quilting, dyeing, and stitching techniques. With a balance of inspiration and practicality, Kathleen Matthews takes readers through her creative process, offering invaluable insights and five detailed projects to master the art.
Materials and Tools for Textile Landscapes
To begin crafting a quilted landscape, Kathleen Matthews introduces the essential materials and tools:
- Fabrics: A mixture of plain and patterned cotton and silks, including hand-dyed fabrics for depth and variety.
- Threads: A palette of embroidery threads, from vibrant cotton to metallics, for machine and hand stitching.
- Dyes and Paints: Simple dyes to create custom fabric shades.
- Tools: Free-motion embroidery machines, needles, quilting hoops, and scissors.
The Design Process
Kathleen Matthews emphasises that every piece begins with observation. The process starts with taking reference photographs of real landscapes and from these, she focuses on key elements:
- Composition: Breaking down the image into foreground, middle ground, and background to ensure there is balance in the work.
- Light Source: Understanding how light interacts with elements in the scene is vital for creating realistic depth.
- Fabric and Thread Choices: Selecting textures, colours, and weights of materials that best replicate the essence of the landscape.
Simple Dyeing Techniques
A standout feature of the book is Kathleen Matthews’ approach to dyeing fabric. She demonstrates how to create custom fabrics with simple dyeing methods, producing unique textures and tones ideal for skies, water, and fields. These techniques allow textile artists to achieve a personal touch in their work.
Bringing Designs to Life
Once the design is prepared, Kathleen Matthews walks readers through transferring these elements onto the fabric. The key steps include:
- Layering Fabrics: Using fabrics to construct different parts of the landscape, such as hills, trees, or water.
- Quilting: Creating the quilt structure, and forming a base for the design.
- Free-Motion Embroidery: Adds texture and detail with stitching, mimicking the intricacies of nature.
- Hand Embroidery: Employing fine details to add personality and highlights.
Mastering Landscape Elements
The book also features a comprehensive section on creating elements of common landscape features:
- Water and Skies: Using gradients of dye and fine threads to depict movement and light.
- Trees and Vegetation: Layering fabric scraps with stitches to achieve dimension.
- Fields and Flowers: Employing a mix of appliqué and embroidery for texture.
- Buildings: Adding structure and perspective with precise stitching techniques.
Kathleen Matthews also explores how to adapt these techniques for the four seasons, using a variety of colours and motifs to reflect the mood and atmosphere of each time of year.
Step-by-Step Projects
The book culminates into five stunning projects, that each showcase different aspects of Kathleen Matthews’ techniques:
- Autumn Woodland: Warm hues and intricate layers that bring a forest to life.
- Flowers in a Landscape: Delicate embroidery and appliqué highlight vibrant blossoms.
- Mountain Scene: Rich textures that replicate rugged terrain and dramatic skies.
- Sunset on Water: Layers of fabric and fine stitching capture the reflective beauty of a water scene.
- Lavender Field: Rows of purple blooms are crafted with precision stitching and gradient dyeing.
A Source of Inspiration
Beyond techniques, the book is filled with breathtaking images of Kathleen Matthews’ landscapes, serving as a wealth of inspiration for textile artists. Each piece demonstrates the transformative power of combining quilting, dyeing, and stitching to create art.
Who Should Read This Book?
This guide is tailored to intermediate to advanced textile artists, including quilters and embroiderers, eager to push their boundaries. Kathleen Matthews’ methods not only teach skills but also encourage creative exploration, which makes it an indispensable resource for anyone looking to bring landscapes to life through textiles.
A Must-Have for Textile Artists
Kathleen Matthews’ book is a treasure trove of creativity and technique, perfect for textile artists passionate about landscapes. From mastering dyes to layering fabrics and stitching details, this guide empowers artists to design and create original, breathtaking works of art. Whether crafting an autumnal forest or a serene lavender field, Kathleen Matthews’ techniques offer endless possibilities for bringing the beauty of nature into the world of textiles.
I have this book and it is a brilliant read especially if you are an artist wishing to enter this type of medium. She describes her process in detail using images and step-by-step instructions.
#Textiles #Textile #Landscape #Landscapes #KathleenMatthews #Embroidery #Quilt #Quilting #Quilters #Embroideries
Resources:
Website
Online Source: https://www.searchpress.com/book/9781844487202/stitched-textiles-landscapes
Rachel Bakewell 