A window into my studio 8
Creative Play
Continuing from “Window into my Studio 6 and 7”
“I can’t draw”
Continuing on from “A window into my studio 6 and 7”. I have been experimenting in the past 3 blogs with ways to develop textile art work from the art works that can be created on apps, such as sketchers, using your own photographic image (or any other photo program or app you use). I talked about this in the blog “Window in to my studio 6”.
This time I used the app art image as a guide and built up layers of fabric to form the background and then to complete the art work, the story is in images below.
Materials and equipment
Materials used – fusible web, calico backing fabric, a variety of scraps of fabric that have different textures and thickness, hand embroidery thread, machine embroidery thread, fabric for leaves and a flower bud.
A sewing machine that you are able to do perform free motion machine embroidery using a embroidery foot and dropping the feed dogs.
I have used free motion embroidery through out this project using a variety of rayon and polyester threads, my preference is rayon using both plain and variegated threads. I have added some hand stitching for interest.
I am not trying for a perfect representation, it is a experiment of technique to share the possibility. I hope you take this idea further and own it in your unique style. I also hope that it gives confidence to those who say they can’t draw, that there are ways around design.
“Art evokes the mystery without which the world would not exist”
Rene Margrite
The original image
Working from the art work which was created in the app from original image.I have outlined the main features to give me guidance.
I am using this art work image as colour inspiration.
The images below are the journey of this technique.
Starting background fabric using fusible web to adhere to calico backing
I place a layer of fusible web on top of my background fabric and then add scraps of interesting fabric and yarns. This is fused together by using a dry hot iron.
I then add a second layer of texture by laying another piece of fusible web on top of existing background.On top of the fusible web I place silk yarns,silk fibres and other fabrics and fuse together again.
Final layer of texture using blue lace work scraps. Stitching background with different coloured threads.
Never throw out your scraps there are endless possibilities for them.
The leaves are cut and coloured.
The leaves are stitched to the background.
Adding the flower bud with layers of fabric and stitch.
Hand stitching adds detail, depth and interest.
Finished textile art work I have used metallic paint to add a feature.
Hi Lynette it is really only a little of my process I am just experimenting to give people confidence who say they “I can’t draw”.I don’t draw before I create,I am not great at drawing but as you can see I can visualise and have draws,cupboards and a floor full of scraps to use.It is fun to try new processes and experiment .I am glad you are enjoying my blogs.My next blogs may not have as much technique involved but who knows where the journey will take me.
Love seeing your process :-)
Thanks LindyI like organic growth just to feel the texture and colour and let it flow.
Hi Michelle,
Thank you for sharing your technique. I love the random way you laid out the initial pieces of fabric etc. and then how you have pulled it all together using embroidery etc. Fantastic!