what if

what if #35: playing with seams

...my thought process has continued from what if #31, as it relates to the focus on seams. time being short these days, i did not completely  document this process in pictures but i thought about what if  the process becomes a permanent part of the design?

overdyed cotton linen. (liking the flax grin through)

paper piecing.

traced template with permanent marker
ironed over template following trace lines.
hand stitched overcast method.

what is interesting here is the documenting of how the fabric shifts when handled,  which could not be seen with out the lines. i also like the random design effect generated.

what if#34: random framing

what if i expand on the idea from here...and just cut windows in on fabric and overlay it on an already stitched piece?
linen with window cutout over what if #33.
6x6"

frame quilted

unplugged.

the cropping helps isolate the focus on details and the flat overlay enhances the texture.

and there is also a concept of reverse patchwork forming here.

and something related to mending.

finished / unfinished over here

what if #32: part 4-adding border elements

the edge is messy so what if i just use added cutouts to cover the gaps?

this is a great way to refashion a floral. like planting a garden.

continued from part 3

will be completed at spirit cloth

what if #33: blacks and whites detail

this bar stitching around the marker drawing has caught my interest and i am wondering what if i use this as the entire background? i will try and see. nice texture reminiscent of a woven surface.

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what if #33: blacks and whites-cont'd

experiments in contrast and stitching are random, trials in technique and motif.

i am particularly liking this effect using embroidery in combination with other texture levels.
the printed dot is a nice clear contrast against the drawn black.
the raised split stitch is nice against the kantha stitch on the dark lines and also gives a sense of dimension to the whole motif. cont'd from

continued here....

what if # 33: blacks and whites

what if i just fool around with black and white, mola style. ragged. small.

6" x 6" study in edges and contrast.

permanent marker on loose weave linen

3 layers, linen, dotted cotton, white slub linen

in process while thinking about the different levels of intensity of the circles and the different levels of contrast between dark and light.

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what if #32: part 3

after the third layer was exposed i wasn't sure what to do about the next one. there were so many organic shapes... the only thing i could imagine was a grid of some kind. my desire for order always surfaces. i just drew in an angled grid to soften the effect, a harlequin type diamond pattern ( a sort of cut-away patchwork) is what i envisioned. the lines are stitched with a single strand of variegated floss doubled back on itself to shorten the repeat of the color change and the cutting, although confusing to follow, shows signs of pleasing me.

another layer of soft lightweight cotton has been added with no intention other than stabilizing layer 4. all other what-ifs will be additive.

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what if #32: ragged mola -part 2

...all three original layers are showing now. work is slow on this one, stitching and snipping, little by little. another layer has been added to the back and the outline stitching color has also started to become a design element.now there are questions like  like what if some small cuts with inserts for accents are added and what if some turned reverse applique is combined with the ragged edge?.....

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