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!!

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 !!

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!

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: masks ? ...

Last week, while sorting out some of my earlier designs & collating them into order, I came across these of particular interest:

Reviewing the 'self-portrait 2', I've noticed these colours (above left, pink & green) being used as well as the 'eye mask' (above right) idea included too. Reminded of the significance of these 2 images, I soon found myself on Pinterest looking at 'masks' & a fascination I have with them - even from a young age (below one I made aged 7 or so).

These specific thoughts are more significant especially in the context of some 'experimental textures' I want to create - those that appear to be one thing but on closer inspection are actually something else.

I now ask myself the question: "Is this what I'm creatively trying to achieve" ?

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?

Mosaic or 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 links to my projects:

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).

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

Possible lacy "Interspection" techniques !

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.