Thursday 9 December 2021

Module 6: translating paper designs into embroidered surfaces

For some of the papers (especially the "dotted" ones) it proved difficult for me to represent them in fabric. I found that, although I liked them, the backgrounds were too plain to translate them into embroidery. This explains why I tried to use different techniques and materials to make the background look more interesting before adding the embroidery. 
I really fell into a rabbit hole here and found immense pleasure in trying out different techniques which explains why it took me so long to finish this exercise.
I also wanted to use materials I could distress like kunin felt or polyester organza,but also coton scrim which made that some samples turned out lightweight and transparent.
I really love how some samples turned out, while I find that some look a bit boring.

For me, the big question is how to put everything together to form a cohesive piece of work. I have the feeling that to achieve this, it might be easier to use more or less the same fabric or the same technique and variations of it.
I realize that I have to introduce a complementary color as already discussed with you before . I concentrated on the papers of  2 designs "a" and "l", which I have to enlarge.
Maybe I could introduce, as suggested by you, this complementary color  between the different strips in sample "a", by using insertion stitches or something similar, I'm thinking of machine stitched cords, strips of fabric, something which is a bit larger than a thread. This could also underline the "airy", lightweight feel to some of the fabrics....  




paper A























Paper B










Paper C








 
 















Paper E















Looking back at this sample, I realize that I have to add more stitching to it. I love the embedded threads but I think that this sample lacks a bit of interest


Paper F










Paper G: Samples below done for the middle stripe in the paper









Although the sample below was originally done for Paper E, I think it definitely fits in better for  Paper G in terms of color scheme. The labelling isn't correct and should read "d" instead of "e"




Paper H

In these last samples I tried to replicate a worn distressed look, reflection on the deterioration of the corals and their loss of color. I also used white acrylic paint which stiffened the fabric slightly, an effect which was welcome here