About twelve years ago I started experimenting with the smocked stitch and my hand painted silk.
My sculptured textiles, for the most part, have been based on a symmetrical grid structure. The pieces are each made from one piece of silk. Grid patterns are transferred to the silk. I add motifs with thickened dyes and then paint the grid structure. The silk is the steamed, washed, embroidered and smoked.
The images below show the process.
When people come into my studio for the first time, I want them to see colour everywhere. I want my guests to feel welcome and to explore my treasures and inspirations. 
After years of renting we bought our first home in Tottenham 25 years ago. It had an old wooden detached garage. After using it as storage for our belonging as we renovated, my husband and I converted the garage into my studio. Almost everything used to construct my studio was found, recycled and donated. It provides me with a bit of seclusion and enough space to get lost in my work.
Posting for the first time, is like looking at a blank canvas or should I say a white piece of cloth. My blog will reflect my work in the textile arts. I work with both cotton and silk, and apply different approaches to both medium. It will reflect the inspiration and direction of my current work as well as my creative process. Sharing information is important and is one of the reasons I teach. We all benefit from sharing our experiences and our knowledge. My Blog will be a platform to present a series of methods and techniques which I use, as well as teach.
Trunk Show and Presentation
On November 26th, I am excited to be presenting my sculptural textiles and dyed cloth in my first trunk show to the East Toronto Quilters Guild.
Barb Hilts 