't Quiltgebeuren in the picturesque Brielle. It's been a while since I've taken a class, and for this one I've waited more than 2 years to be able to learn under a student of Francine Born, a master of boutis. Carla Erwich was our instructor, a lovely lady and a wonderful teacher. Willy Alers, the shops' owner, was, as she always is, a wonderful hostess. She made sure that everyone was comfortable, had everything they needed, and gosh - great lunches!
Our small class of eight learned how to do boutis, a 17th C technique from the French Provence. It basically entails the assembly of two fine pieces of fabric ( cotton bastiste in our case) that are stitched together using a very fine quilting stitches, following a particular motif. Parts of the design are filled using thread (cotton, wool or a blend) to create a high relief.
The design is first drawn onto one layer. Then the second layer is added underneath and the two are basted together. The design is stitched through both layers using very fine stitches, and then filled with cotton or blended yarn. The result is a high relief. It's a bit of a fiddle at first, as the batiste is not very soft, and the design we had, quite intricate and small. No fear, Carla our teacher was there to help us every step of the way, with patience and guidance.
Tracing the design onto the bastiste
Stitching over the design - very fine stitches are needed to prevent the filling from peeping out from between the stitching
A moment of silence and concentration....
Filling in the design - how fun it is to see it come alive!
Oh THAT's how you do it!
One of the examples that Carla brought along to show - beautiful!
I really enjoyed this class. Learning something completely new and different always energizes me. Already, the creative wheels are turning and who knows how this experience will translate through my fingers onto a piece of fabric in perhaps a new way? I guess you and me both will have to stay tuned to find out!
