1999

crochet cottons, net

56 x 32 cm

The collar/scarf features a design based on the letter “S” (for my surname Smout). The S is mirrored and repeated. When interlocked, the letters form a heart-shaped design which is crocheted in 4 ply cotton edged with cotton perlé.

The design is backed by a mesh of crochet (in size 80 DMC) to hold it in place, and is mounted on net to stabilise it. It is made in my favourite colour - purple.

1993

black satin lettering, machine appliquéd over variously-coloured background fabrics

10 x 280 cm (less when draped and folded)

The words on this stole are read in a single horizontal line, so are probably easier to decipher than some of my designs which contain several lines of lettering. The message says:

“THE MYSTERY OF LIFE IS NOT A PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED; IT IS A REALITY TO BE EXPERIENCED”.

I choose the colours and fabrics because I felt they were rich and mysterious, and so enhanced the words in the quotation. This stole is designed to be worn over an all-black evening outfit, but could also be worn by a priest.

1993

painted silk

74 x 74 cm

On this silk scarf the words “A THING OF BEAUTY IS A JOY FOREVER” are outlined in gutta and then painted in black. The letters are linked together to produce an interlocking design. The background spaces are coloured in various hues to create a stained glass effect.

2002

hand-spun wool/angora, hand knitted with crochet appliqué

52 x 53 cm

I chose the words on the two front panels because I had knitted this vest from a wool/angora blend that I had spun. The quote on the back reflects the joy I find in creating - it expresses the concept that each person’s art flows from individual life experiences.

The lettering was first designed on paper. I spun pink merino fleece then crocheted it into a chain. This was then sewn on to the knitted vest to create the messages.

Lettering on the Back:

HAPPY

ARE THOSE

WHOSE LIVES

ARE RECORDED

IN THE STITCHES

THEY CREATE

Lettering on the Right Front:

S-PIN

TILL

YOU’RE

DIZZY

Lettering on the Left Front:

K-NIT

TILL

YOU’RE

IN KNOTS

2001

hand-knitted black lettering, coloured background areas in wools and acrylic yarns

70 x 50 cm

The words (knitted in black/purple wool) on the front of the vest read:

“When I am an old woman” (on the right front)

“I shall wear purple” (on the left front).

These words are the first line of a poem about growing old, entitled ”WARNING”, written by Jenny Joseph.

The words (knitted in black/purple wool) on the back of the vest are some of my favourite purple hues. From top to bottom they read:

MAUVE, VIOLET, LAVENDER, JACARANDA, AMETHYST

1993

black satin lettering, machine appliquéd over variously-coloured background fabrics

760 x 53 cm

I chose the words on the two front panels to represent my interests in various art forms. The quotes on the back express my feelings about the universality of art, as well as individual creativity.

The letters are appliquéd in black satin fabric over a background of different fabrics in my favourite colours of purples, blues, pinks and greens. Some of the fabrics are patterned, some are textured, and some are sparkly. I hope that the design on this vest reminds viewers of the patterns in a stained glass window.

The design is the most important part of the vest - the fact that there are letters, and that they form words, is supposed to intrigue people. Some people try to ‘solve the puzzle’, while others like to just look at the colours.

Lettering on the Back:

ALL ARTS

ARE ONE

EVERY ARTIST

DIPS HIS BRUSH

IN HIS OWN SOUL

Lettering on the Right Front:

LIT-ERA-TURE

DANCE

FIBRE-ARTS

PAINTING

Lettering on the Left Front:

MU-SIC

SCUL-PTURE

CALLI-GRAPHY

DRAMA