Sticks & stones.

Another in the middle project.

 

I cut out this tank & a matching bolero last fall, with the simple goal of stitching something light for a change.  I had assumed I would paint a flowing and organic motif on it, until I saw the quilts of Karen Kamenetzky, which told me to take a look around me for inspiration.

 
We have two big old oaks in our front yard (the tree in the foreground in this photo).

 
(Did I mention the fabric was folded up and waiting inside a ziploc bag for me to paint it?  Wrinkles, schminkles.) 

I've gotten a little farther with the bolero sleeves, where I painted stones and used a combination of applique, reverse applique, and embroidery to embellish them. 

 
 
I didn't anticipate the three-dimensional quality of the stones (caused by using textile paint, two layers of fabric, and a double row of stitching around the perimeter of each), but I like it.

What are you in the middle of?

Comments

[gisele]

I love the way the stones turned out. gorgeous! Can't wait to see how the whole thing looks. thanks for showing us your works in progress. v. cool.

I appreciated your last post where you said that these projects are actually quick to sew up. I always feel like it is such a big job when I am starting at the beginning. I'm working on embellishing a shirt for my little daughter(picture on my blog) and will be starting a vest just as soon as I get a couple of hours free someday. I always find the cutting part takes so much longer than I think it should.

[chel]

How LOVELY, Gina! I am in the middle of figuring out the next step to take. Always working on my art journal (became a daily habit in December). About to start dyeing some beads again. In the middle of writing a fiction story I started several years ago.

[MelissaPete]

So creative Gina! I love it!

[Becka]

I like the pebbles. Those make such an interesting texture. Very fun.

[terry hendrickson]

Wow! And it's not even finished. The 3D pebbles are amazing. I like the way you are incorporating the natural world in your work. What type of paint do you use in painting on fabric?

I am in the middle of making a dress. Actually, two dresses, the dress I started at our Alabama Chanin weekend. Yes, progress is being made. And, a dress made of a woven Liberty print, cut from a pattern I have had for 25 years. My daughter is worried that I will not like the dress as it is so not today. After the AC weekend I decided that I want to handstitch all of my clothing, and I am really enjoying the process. Process or product? I guess I will know when I finish this dress.

[Jane]

The pebbles are unbelievable. Or rather very believable- they look so real. I love how you work the so many different methods into one piece to make it look richer.

I'm in the middle of a few sets of stationery, a baby quilt, a knit baby blanket, a hat, a dust ruffle and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.