Module 3 - Chapter 11 - Completed Accessory

My accessory was inspired by the following pictures

 11a

 11b

11c

I knew I wanted to do a necklace/neckpiece, something wearable, and I wanted to reproduce the idea of a wrapped core. From the first machine embroidery samples I was particularly attracted by the technique of stitching onto a dissolvable background

11d

So I tried out to stitch a small sample (strip) onto a sticky water-soluble background. I washed out the substance, but not completely and then wrapped it around a core to create a spiral. This proved to be a successful technique. When dry, the stitched strip retained its shape and showed off an interesting spiral.

The core around which I wanted to wrap this spiral was achieved by taking some of my threads (coming out from both ends) which were wrapped with a long piece of prefelt kept in place with some thread. I then wrapped this with turquoise wool and felted it. I further stitched unto in a spiralling movement.

11e

11f

The empbroidered spiral wrapped around it nicely and I liked the effect and the colours.

It  proved however that the wool cord was to big and to stiff to fit around the neck and wouldn't lay around it as it should.

Siân gave me some ideas at the Summer Schooland tutorial and so I gave it a play at home.

I first created some more spirals in plain white fabric in different lengths and widths by stiffening them with Powertex and wrapping them around different cores.

Here are some of the results

11g

11h:Large fabric strip

11i

 11j

11k

11l

The above samples seem to be pretty boring and I didn't really like them.

Siân had given me the idea of making a big knot with the woolen cord and I found some ideas on the internet of necklaces withg asymmetric "focal  points"

11m

11n

11o

I was very much attracted by this solution which also had the advantage that the threads coming out of the felted core would wrap around the neck and not the cord itself.

I then went on by embroidering a spiral long enough to wrap around the knot

11p

Some more playing then ended in this

11q

11r

11s

I cut back some of the felt on the left side (other side from knot), so that both sides end at the same height

Module 3 - Resolved Sample - Part 2

On Siân's advice I redid the whole resolved sample, by opting for another of my designs. 

I began by "dismantling" the buttons and took out the cardboard. This was a bit tricky as I wanted to keep the beads and the layers in place. I then did some other triangles. Machine-stitched cords were "glued" to a piece of  fabric and fixed by some stitching.All the triangles were fixed by a small zigzag stitch to the base fabric. 

Melted  pipe cleaners were wrapped and then applied between the larger triangles by beaded threads. I decided to enlarge the base fabric by applying the former base to a larger turquoise one.  Both layers were linked by further stitching. I also added some beads in the upper right and lower left corner.

I'm much happier with this sample. In fact it is much less static and translates the spiralling movement in a very pleasing way. 

Module 3-Chapter 9 Resolved Sample Part 1

I started by experimenting by taking one of the waxed 3-D spiral and its picture which I turned into a black and white photocopy. I then overlaid it with some transparent paper onto which I transferred the lines. This sample got photocopied and reduced onto a transparency . I then cut out the shapes/lines to turn it into a stencil. For the following fabric samples I used the positive and negtive shapes of the stencil to spray or apply paint onto fabric. The sprays used where from Marabu and are especially designed for fabric

 9/1

9/2: stencils, small and big and cut out shape

 9/3: sprayed pattern onto paper

 9/4: sprayed and applied paint onto a light colored blue fabric 

9/5: paint applied onto an already painted fabric

9/6: same as above

9/7 : same as above

9/8: pattern sprayed onto blue fabric

 9/9: sprayed and painted onto blue nylon organza

 9/10: sprayed onto orange nylon organza

 9/11: "painted" transparency stencil: this picture itself is very interesting and could be developped into a design or copied onto fabric

Me, having fun in my kitchen (obviously not cooking)

Conclusion: The spiral used for this work is certainly not ideal for creating an appropriate design. However the idea of movement which it translates is something I will try to use in my sample. The fabric produced here is beautiful especially when overlying the organza on top of the coton fabric. This is difficult to photograph, but I can assure you that sense of depth created is beautiful.Also, the idea is to be able to burn away some of the organza to reveal the fabric underneath. 

Module 3 - Chapter 8 BEADS

I have started this lesson about 9 months ago when I was looking for some work I could do in front of the TV. During this time I collected beads in my colour scheme whenever I had the occasion. It's really amazing how many types of beads there are on the market. It was really fun to do this kind of work. I love the tactile quality of this type of embroidery.

Pic 1

Pic 2

Pic 3

Pic 4

Pic 5 : A sequin spiral made of blue and copper coloured sequins

Pic 6

Pic 7: On the left spirals made of copper wire were fixed to a blue fabric.

Pic 8

Pic 9

Pic 10

Pic 10a

Pic 11

Pic 12

Pic 13: No matter how hard I tried, I didn't succeed to turn this picture the right way

Pic 15: For this little piece I used self-made "pebbles" made of resin. I made moulds with real pebbles into which I poured the liquid resin. The pebbles were covered with a double layer of polyester organza which was then embroidered with cross stitches. Straight stitches kept the pebbles in place. The organza was burnt away with a heat gun, partly revealing them. Further French knots and beads were added.

Pic 16

 Pic 17: Self-made polymer clay beads coloured in blue

 Pic 18: Melted pipe cleaners cut into pieces and sewn to the fabric