Embroidered Woven Stainless Steel Tea Strainer - Mesh Pattern (Physical Product)
 
This hand embroidered tea strainer is part of our designer maker range. The strainer is made from stainless steel woven wire that has been hand embroidered with cotton embroidery thread.  The product is for decorative purposes only.
 
The choice of materials and techniques are inspired by our work challenging the stereotypes of what is considered a textiles material or technique. Weaving is a well known traditional textiles technique but it is also commonly used with non textiles materials such as metal. Industrially manufactured woven metal has a range of applications ranging from lightweight woven metals used for filters, screens, sieves and strainers to heavier weight applications such as fencing and architecture. 
 
Many manufacturers of woven metal use weave diagrams that are commonly found on textile websites because the properties that make a weave suitable for a textile fabric application also make them suitable for non textiles applications e.g. using a twill weave because of its strength.
 
The strainer has been chosen as the base for the embroidery because the woven wire mesh is similar to traditional embroidery fabrics such as aida and canvas. The use of the strainer also challenges stereotypes of what embroidery techniques can be used for. 
 
The strainer measures approximately 19.5cm (length) by 8cm (width).
The strainer can be hung using either end of the strainer hooked onto a hook or nail (not included)
The dome mesh of the strainer is decorated with embroidery stitches to create a striped and mesh pattern.
The back of the strainer is left uncovered rather than being hidden away because it has it's own 'messy' but interesting aesthetic that reflects the hand made nature of the product. 
The product is delicate and can't be washed. 
 
(Accessories shown in the image are for scale only and are not included)
 
About our designer maker work
When we're not supporting D&T in schools we're busy doing something creative and our creative hobbies help us maintain our work life balance and play a key role in our mental well being. Paul's passion is photography and as a qualified watch maker he also loves to go back to his origins of clock making. Julie loves anything textiles based, especially embroidery and using unusual materials.  Although much of our hobby based creative work is more craft and art rather than D&T much of it is still inspired by D&T and STEM. You can buy some of Julie's work on the 'Designer Maker', as well as at some events we attend.