What We Leave Behind
I recently heard the question, "What will archaeologist uncover from our generation?" Grecian urns, Mayan carved bowls, Russian samovars...........No! Sadly, we will leave behind Styrofoam take out containers, GladWare, and other atrocities.
With this thought circling my mind, I began my first outdoor sculpture for a local public art project. The sculptures will hang for a month from a tree in the Glenwood South District of Raleigh, NC. The largest challenge in the project is how to convert fiber art into an outdoor sculpture that can withstand the elements. I will be creating three or more sculptures using various multimedia materials that are then hardened with a textile hardener, Paverpol. In a future blog, I will discuss the materials and process in more detail as well as detail the complete public art project happening in Glenwood South.
Shattered, the first sculpture for this project, is based on the question of "What will we leave behind?" Using cotton, felt, and silk I created my vision of an Urban Vessel. I wanted to illustrate a shattered relic of our time using graffiti coloring as an alternative to the depressing thought of unearthed plastic ware.
My Rainbow of Thread Colors
One of my favorite gifts from my husband is my Gutermann 100% Natural Cotton Thread Set. Being able to quickly glance at thread color options and audition different colors without having to scramble through a box of thread is a huge time saver.
I currently use glass jars to contain my other threads. However, I hope to eventually find a way to display them as well. Shelf space is precious in my studio. I will be searching for a solution that can be mounted on the wall.
I have tried various thread brands and prefer the 100% Natural Cotton Gutermann thread for most of my projects. I prefer cotton as it can be over-dyed if needed. The cotton thread works well for both machine and hand stitching. There are many more expensive brands, but Gutermann is a good quality thread in an average price range. In my experience, Coats & Clark brand threads break easily regardless of the type.
I have used several of Gutermann's other thread types for both machine and hand stitching. I use Gutermann 100% Viscose thread when I want to emphasize an area by adding shine. For pieces needing added strength I use Gutermann's 100% Polyester thread for both machine and hand stitching. To add a minimal shine, I use Gutermann's 100% Silk Thread. I have currently only used the silk thread for hand stitching. The most impressive thread is the Gutermann Invisible Thread. Anyone that has ever experienced a rat's nest bobbin using invisible thread knows the importance of a good invisible thread. I have used both the clear and the smoke invisible thread numerous times without any problems for both the top thread and the bobbin.
Over the course of my experiments I will try other brands. Currently, I am trying out the different types of thread while keeping the brand a constant. Keeping the brand variable the same allows me to get a feel for the difference of type of thread without having to consider brand differences.
Please comment on either thread storage options or thread choices that you have a fondness for using.
Hand Stitching Helpers
I am very frugal in buying only things I know I will use. So, since I already had various size round embroidery hoops I kept putting off buying the square one I really wanted. As a designer, I like to see how each stitch I add contributes to the piece. This was hard for me to visualize in the round. I knew it would be easier to get a sense of the larger piece in a square as I am used to using the concept of a view finder for art compositions. I finally decided to buy the square and have never second guessed my decision. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! OK, so I am a weird person who gets excited over art supplies. I was also the kid that loved getting new school supplies each year so no big surprise. My first square was the Dritz Quilting Quilt N'Go Lap Frame 11"x11" . It was the perfect solution to managing the fabric for the pieces I was hand stitching.
I am very frugal in buying only things I know I will use. So, since I already had various size round embroidery hoops I kept putting off buying the square one I really wanted. As a designer, I like to see how each stitch I add contributes to the piece. This was hard for me to visualize in the round. I knew it would be easier to get a sense of the larger piece in a square as I am used to using the concept of a view finder for art compositions. I finally decided to buy the square and have never second guessed my decision. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! OK, so I am a weird person who gets excited over art supplies. I was also the kid that loved getting new school supplies each year so no big surprise. My first square was the Dritz Quilting Quilt N'Go Lap Frame 11"x11" . It was the perfect solution to managing the fabric for the pieces I was hand stitching.
I use three layers of fabric joined with either 505 Spray or Wonder Under so I don't need a frame for free motion stitching on my machine. The Quilt 'N Go won't fit under my machine foot so I would have to resort to a thinner round hoop if I needed a frame.
My next piece was larger so I decided to invest in a second larger frame. I made the mistake of running with my Michael's coupon and buying a similar product: Loops & Thread Plastic Snap Frame. Bad choice. The frame was flimsy and the snap covers were so tight it actually damaged the weave of my fabric. I quickly returned that piece of junk. I then purchased the Dritz Quilting Quilt N' Go Lap Frame in the 14" x 14" size. There was little different in price between the two brands and the Dritz was far superior in quality.
It would be nice if Dritz sold connectors so you could add pieces together for different size or shape. I have not taken it with me to a hardware store yet to see if a standard pvc connector would work.
For any extra fabric on the edges that still got in my way I would roll the fabric and use Clover Wonder Clips. I have not seen the Clover Jumbo Wonder Clips in person to judge if they would be better or too big for most of my pieces.
In the future, I will use the Lap Frame for any projects that need the assistance of a frame for manageability.