Module 1 Resolved Sample Mounted

The above sample is mounted on white matt board. The sample was first attached to foam core board, which is invisible on the underside, and is further raised again by another layer of strips of foam board. This has then been mounted on white picture framing matt board. This raises the piece providing the appearance of 'fragile textile relic found as treasure in an underwater wreck'.

Module 1 Resolved Sample Details

Details showing further hand stitching to enhance the overall piece and add to the effect of disintegration. Layers are emphasised by staggering and burning the edges to create an irregular border and add to the weathered look.

The background layer has been given a pearlised finish to give the impression of the sun sparkling through water, the bright coloured French Knots blend with the background and also depict the colours of coral and fish in a tropical sea.

Module 1 Composite Sheet

Composite Sheet showing design ideas, relating to the cross shape, and how these have been developed through the Module.

Module 1 Resolved Sample

Resolved Sample showing disintegration and decay.

As it was evolving, the piece evoked images of underwater wreckage and rust, as a result I found a wonderful excuse to use my hand blown glass fish beads at last and complemented the underwater theme with pink blister pearls and a burnished gold star fish. Free motion machine stitching in variegated metallic thread gives the impression of sun glistening through water.

Resolved Sample Thoughts and Techniques

Scribbled thoughts and ideas in the design process illustrated below and ideas for techniques for the resolved sample, written down at random to capture for future reference.

Resolved Sample Working Ideas

Working drawings and progression of ideas for resolved sample.
From top:
1. Repeat cross pattern used throughout the Module
2. Preliminary ideas for distorting the pattern
3. Asymmetrical pattern grid, distorted but somewhat flat in appearance
4. Asymmetrical pattern grid distorted further to create movement and 3D effect

I aim to base my stitched sample on Sample 4 above

Resolved Sample Ideas Inspiration

These two quilts provided me with inspiration and ideas for my resolved sample. The top quilt shows movement and colour placement creating almost 3D effect. I saw the bottom quilt at the International Quilt show in Texas and the irregular shape and placement of windows grabbed my attention.

Chapter 11 Composing Disintegrated Shapes

Samples 1 to 4 from the top correspond with the working sheets.

Chapter 11 Stitched Samples and Working Sheets

Detailed samples corresponding to sample sheets and working sheets above are displayed in the previous blog.

Chapter 11 Stitched Samples

Samples from top:

1-3. Making a shape thinner by cutting shape thinner and stitching rows around the shape
4. Left Picture - Making Shape less solid by stitching rows of machine stitch around the inside of the shape
5. Right Picture- Making shape smaller by fraying edges held by stitchery
6-7. Making shape less solid through machine stitching in contrasting thread, hand stitching, bonding sprinkled bits, bonding and stitching in negative space to make smaller shapes
8. Repeat pattern to make shape out of smaller negative shapes.

Chapter 11Disintegrating Paper and Fabric

Samples of disintegrating paper showing cut, torn, stabbed, burnt and wet crumpled paper.

Torn paper shapes showing disintegration with each sample by tearing more of the shape away and recomposing and replacing negative shapes.

Cut and frayed fabric showing disintegration by fraying edges, using small pieces to make a larger shape, replacing negative shapes, cutting cross shape from bonded threads, free motions sewing over scraps trapped between water soluble stabiliser.

Working sheets extending the concept of disintegration through bleaching colour and fraying fabric. Pictures of weathered and rusted metal and door. Excellent illustration of weathering and colour variation incorporating the cross shape and chosen colour scheme.

Module 1 Chapter 10 Revised

Additional stitching on the Counterchange and Interchange sample 3 for Chapter 10. I have used self colour on the blue and orange to stitch diagonal lines across selected pieces. Attached are also colour copies with sketched ideas for stitching.

Module 1 Chapter 9 Revised

Sample 9a (Top): Reverse Applique, outside shape stitched first. Sample made in same colours as 9b (inside shape stitched first). Each sample looks very different even though made from the same fabric. The cutting order is reversed resulting in the top fabric predominating in 'a' and the bottom fabric predominating in 'b'. The difference is emphasised if high contrast exists between the fabrics.

Sample 9c (Centre): Machine stitched shapes, cut and slashed at end of process. I have used four layers of contrasting fabrics and stitched the cross shape leaving ample room between stitching to slash and fray the fabric. I then washed the sample, dried in the clothes dryer and brushed with a wire brush. This has resulted in a nicely 'worn' sample showing underneath layers peeping through.

Sample 9j (Ripple Effect): Some additional stitching was done around some areas and further fabric cut away to reveal a contrasting pink colour. This has helped connect the stitched area to the outer green layer.

Celebrating Home Art Quilt

'Celebrating Home' 12" x 12" art quilt based on theme for quilt competition. Commercially printed fabric used as background. Photo transfer technique used to print sepia coloured photo on cotton lawn and attached to background fabric with fabric adhesive paper. Photo is framed with stencil to emulate 'burnt edges'. Earth is stencilled fabric on background and hand quilted in circular pattern.

Fabric was bleached underneath earth stencil to highlight the image. Quilt was free motion stitched in angular and wavy pattern and over painted with oil sticks in bronze, gold and turquoise. Turkish 'coins' were added for interest. The edges have been stencilled in black in an irregular pattern in keeping with the photo frame.

I wanted to portray the haunting vulnerable image of earth floating in space in contrast to the perception of home as a more personal image and a place of security and shelter.