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 !!!