As usual, I was totally unprepared for this challenge, other than having dyed a piece of bamboo/silk fabric a wonderful bright yellow. I find yellow a difficult colour to work with and I was completely devoid of ideas, and fast running out of time. I wanted to use purple with the yellow, as that is an almost automatic pairing for me, but not too much. I found a couple of orange/browns that I liked, then stalled again.
It is a long while since I have tried weaving fabric strips together, but I had a feeling that this might work with my fabrics. I drew a couple of random shapes on paper, then pieced them together. I immediately could see a yellow bird, and that impression was still there when I had woven the strips together. I used Steam-a-seam-two-lite as a backing, and for the first time wished I had used Bondaweb instead. The stickiness of the Steam-a-seam worked wonderfully when the strips were in the right position, but it made sliding them into place almost impossible.
I quilted the piece using black thread to roughly draw a bird shape over the yellow areas, then filled the rest with a mixture of spirals (because I like them) and leaf type meanders.
I like the finished piece, but I'm looking forward to working larger, even though my last minute tactics are going to be more of a problem!
Wow, I wouldn't have guessed this was woven - very clever. I've tried to work out how you did it and am still not sure. Nice one.
ReplyDeleteHilary
Good idea on the weaving, but it can be really fiddly and I agree regarding using steam a seam, it must have made it really difficult. I like the fact that you managed a design such as the bird - very clever.
ReplyDeleteA technical marvel, for sure. I really like this bird motif and wonder if you might use it again?
ReplyDeleteClever! I have done one woven piece but don't remember how it could be possible to do what you have done.
ReplyDeleteI'd never have thought of this in a million years - what fun! I like the fact that the fabric weaving gives a sense of movement without being dominant.
ReplyDeleteI like your little bird - it even looks like it has some dimension with the way the weave goes. And the weaving was a great idea - did you take the course in Beaconsfield?
ReplyDeleteThe weaving really gives it a 3d effect as well not unlike your last piece. I love how the blue works its way into the yellow as a focus for the eye and all the kinds of pattern to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI like your bird. I like the way the weaving breaks up the larger prints, especially the lighter brown print.
ReplyDeleteGreat job Linda, I love the abstraction of the bird. I recognized your work immediately. Bravo!
ReplyDelete