Cell - stage 5 ...

It's been some time since working on the cell piece - mainly because I've been doing some other textile work. Having read my recent posts, I've just realised I forgot to add the final cell-structure after it had dried - so here it is:

As this (on a black background), it reminds me of a strange planet as well as an unusual cell!

Bustier & Boned bodices ...

Sorting through some of my 'boxed-up' bits I discovered this:

& together with the stitching of the wedding dress, I find myself wandering into thoughts of making garments & clothes once again! I thoroughly enjoyed making the boned bodice & with some ideas generated from Ally Pally's "Knitting & Stitching Show yesterday, think I may be heading off in this direction for a while especially as I have numerous lengths of assorted fabrics stored!!

Wheel's in motion ! ...

Have finally found what I've been looking for to display the cell! ... more about this later in the studio!

I started life as a cell (stage 4) ...

Here's a close-up of 'my cell' to date ... I'm really pleased with the results & have to wait a few days for this to totally dry.

From last time, I added some ink to various sections & in the sun it took on a new dimension!

An unusual skin !! ...

While working on the cell the other day, an interesting result was the production of 'skin-like' fabric pieces when the clingwrap was wet. I draped it over my dummy (covered in a black plastic sack) to dry & will have to wait for the end result when I'm next in to look at it !!

I started life as a cell (stage 3) ...

I'm now about to begin the next part of the work - below is the final stage of adding black thread.

Some sheets of cling wrap have been coated in PVA & this has been layed over the work. being a nice warm day, it's drying well so I can remove the plastic when tacky. Here's the result while still wet - I'll have to wait til totally dry to continue.

The cell piece is named ...

I've gradually been adding a variety of threads to my 'cell' - beginning with metallics, I've continued with sewing cottons. The overall effect is becoming  just as I imagined it to ultimately be & trust it will continue this way as I progress. It's a somewhat slow progress as it's a little 'finger-aching' especially to do for an entire day but that's the only time I'm able to currently work on it!

The fabrics are gradually becoming merged together with the threads - one of the problems is the breaking of the fine threads when working through the thicker plastic/paper/fabric layers. Other than that the technique is quite enjoyable to work & a few 'stitch' options are appearing!! Here's a close-up section of the above:

Two other results have arisen from this - one being the visual image as it 'moves back' while taking a picture of it (below left) - the other, the reverse of the sample is quite interesting (below right).

Whilst working this piece, I've decided to finally give it the title of "I started life as a cell" - after all, that's how I came about !!!

Dissolving ideas ! ...

On Amazon the other week I came across the above book "Stitch & Structure" by Jean Draper & for some reason had to buy it (as you do!!!). It's been a brilliant read & provided lots of inspirational ideas especially to do with dissolvable fabrics & the variety around today. I think I shall have to get hold of some now as I think it will answer some of my creative problems I'm experiencing re the 'cell' & other projects.

I'm still stitching with metallic threads on 'Black Cell' in the studio but much of my time recently has been spent dressmaking for customers as well as some alterations for 'Prom dresses'.

Sorry Black Cell !!! work must come first!

I started life as a cell (stage 2) ...

Here's the result of some sheer plastic hand-stitched on the work.










Next, a layer of heat-gun treated sheer polyester seems a suitable next layer (horizontal/vertical creases are where it has been folded prior to picture taken !) - inset right is a close-up.

Laying this fabric sheet over the work adds another cellular dimension & alters all the colours.

Starting with some 'punch work' adds another layer of illusion ! albeit in metallic thread (detail at right)

I started life as a cell (stage 1) ...

I've started stitching my 'cell' sample - seen gradually progressing at CURRENT PROJECT.

A slow task especially as when I return to it, several days have passed & I have to get back into the "thought waves" !!

Time is not on my side ! ...

I'm currently experimenting with transparent plastics for my cell project - which unfortunately is progressing too slowly! Reasons? ... I've got a variety of 'mundane sewing house jobs' on so unable to get as much time as I'd like to continue with it. However, I do it when I can - currently I'm expanding on this small experimental piece from several years ago.

Samples of fabric meshes now in progress ...

2 mesh sample structures are now progressing - both using scraps left from a previous project. I usually use bits & pieces like this, as they are ready-to-hand & as such, are only being used to test certain techniques.

this sample reminds me of  'stained glass'

this one reminds me of an old-fashioned American quilt

In both cases, the samples are based on a 'MESH' & ultimately (hopefully!) will provide the techniques for several of my on-going projects. In both of the above samples, I am impressed with the way the 'fabric' retains its suppleness as well as having a tendency to 'form' into a 3D shape (this is also providing other ideas for development).

Also, both the above samples remind me of 'hand-made' paper in the way they both "handle" - an interesting side-effect of the work!

Self portrait 2 - next development ...

Following the computer designs from earlier (& inspired by subsequent stitching), here's the next colourful computer-generated "self-portrait". Although graphically representational, it is appearing (in my mind's eye) in a stitching format. So where to go next?

Self portrait 1 - is this a textile ?

Here's the 'self portrait' (above) with sections of textiles added (those from blog entry of 31/1/14 & the textile mosaics here) ... all via the computer ! Next stage was to enhance the image further ... as below:

Question - Where to go next .. stitch or enhance some more ?

Mosaic or cell artwork?

For some reason I'm drawn back to an earlier sketch of several years ago - why at this moment in time? Thoughts of crazy/random patchwork - mosaics - Gaudi are beginning to filter into my thoughts (the sketch above to represent this) & not for the first time! Over recent months, this seem to be a repeating progression of creative thoughts & ideas that need to be addressed. So, glancing back over my 'creative route' to date, many interesting images are almost 'mosaic-like' in their appearance & have this almost as a common theme (perhaps because I have many interests myself & tend to work in a rather mosaicked manner).

Anyway, looking at the definition of the word, there appears to be an immediate link (2 & 3 below) to my current cell project as well as the mosaic one (1 below):

1. a picture or pattern produced by arranging together small pieces of stone, tile, glass, etc
2. an individual (especially an animal) composed of cells of two genetically different types
3. a virus disease that results in leaf variegation in tobacco, maize, sugar cane, and other plant

At this stage further 'sketches' need to be completed (I may start this via some computer designs - see my sketch book) PLUS this could now indicate that Project: Mosaic & Project: Cell are to become one!

UPDATE: 10 March ... have now created some fabric samples & sketches continuing this on, click UPDATE to see them

Now on Pinterest !

With a new 'Pin', I'm here:

visit me on Pinterest

Although you may have seen some of the images already, over time it will become a place to quickly 'stop off' & see what 'Pinterests' are underway ... and please don't forget to follow one of my boards!

Owl & the Pussycat mask ...

I've just finished the next phase of updating the ' Stitcherydoodaa Collection ' so it can link to this blog. (The above shows a piece of " cat stitchery " made when I was around 6 - partly for use as a mask!)

Possible lacy "Interspection" techniques !

NOTE: If you're interested in seeing how the design below has been created, click here to see the flip-book

Additionally, the samples from a few days ago have triggered a few ideas as backgrounds to the set of "Interspection" designs:

In particular, the "lincrusta" design background is starting to be created in my 'mind's eye' - possibly likely to be in the form of free-style lace.

Textile samples 'cells' for self-portrait ...

Here's 2 textile 'cells' worked as initial samples:

Some knitting using several different colours of sewing thread + dropping stitches & then with scraps added using machine embroidery. Likely this will be used within the 'self-portrait' that is now developing.

These 'cell structures' are plastic can holders stitched & have tassels added - this cellular structure a 'spring-board' for ideas using corded fabric or thread.

Kaeidoscopic image = Another ready to print !

The New Year starts with completion of another magazine article - this time relating to the 'Cells' project I've been working on. Although the above image hasn't been used as one of my favourites, I've uploaded it to Facebook.