Southern Chinese Textiles

Judith Symmonds came and gave us a talk about

her collection of Southern Chinese Textiles.

I had seen her last year at our Embroidery Guild and knew that

Alveva Quilters would love to see and hear all about the textiles.

Judith is a wonderful speaker telling and showing us

the individual pieces,how they were made and some of the stories

behind them. The members were able

to handle every piece and see close up the

fantastic workmanship.

The Chairmans Challenge this year is

'Folded Patchwork Item', so seeing

some of this intricate folded and embroidered

textiles were really inspiring

but also makes you want to take a breath!

Thank you so much Judith for sharing

your collection and time with us it was really

appreciated.

See more posts by clicking 'chinese textiles'

in the labels below.

Myself in A Chinese Skirt

This beautifully embroidered, dyed and pieced skirt was amazingly heavy. This would be a 'best' overskirt and there would be two underneath this one. Embroidered Skirt panels would be on the top of this. Costume pieces would be passed down through the family and often recyled into another textile depending on it's owner. Judith's collection had so many beautiful pieces I will post some of them and how I have developed the stitches and layers in the future. So watch this blog! I felt very priveledged wearing it.

Thank you, Judith for such an inspiring experience.

If you would like to have more inspiration visit

http://www.gzcyts.com/

there is a translation button, click on the main page and then click on costumes.

This shows you a selection of Chinese Textile Costumes.

Judith wearing a Chinese Neckpiece

Southern Chinese costumes are worn in many layers. Each piece is made in sections and assembled into elaborate textile pieces. Judith is showing me how this collar piece is worn. The more decorative beaded and embroidered section is at the back not the front!

Every piece of textile is covered in an extroidinary amount of stitches and folded patchwork.

Breath taking.

Judith is a very creative lady herself and she showed me some of her pieces she has made and her sewing room which is being re-designed at the moment.

It was a lovely afternoon,

Thank you Judith.

Map of China

Went to visit Judith today and her collection of Southern Chinese textiles.I first met Judith when she came to give a talk about tese textiles to The Kings Lynn Embroidery Guild. She has visited China five times, incuding a tour of the Silk Route. Her photographs and stories of her visits are wonderful with the accompaning textiles.

Thank you for sharing, Judith.

China Inspiration

Last night Judith Symonds came to our local branch of The Embroidery Guild and showed us her collection of textiles and clothing from Southern China. Wow! is all I could think of. The workmanship, stitches and abundance of colour on mainly black was breath taking. We had to 'multi- task' while Judith was giving us all the history and interest of a piece she would then send it round the room.
So picture this 10 minutes in, there were at least 20 or more textiles being past round with the chatter and gasps as someone laid eyes on the stitches and beauty. These pieces are made by young and old women alike and are equiste often recyled through the generations and remodelled into another sections of a garment making that one even more intricate.By the end of the evening there were so many pieces to re-look at you didn't know which one to choose.
I took pages of notes because I forgot! my camera, which I could really have kicked myself for.

I do have the tinge that these textiles are now in England and not in China but Judith is inspiring hundreds possible thousands with her talks, each time so, stitch heritage and the appreciation of culture will continue. I have more of a warm appreciation for my fellow ladies in a far away land, stitching in their different world.
Thank you Judith for showing and inspiring us.
I just wanted to go home and start again!