It's been a while since we have had additional information to post. This past meeting, we enjoyed a stimulating creative exercise called " 30 circles" derived from
UK Ed Chat.
We also began our study of texture and encrusting as it relates to visual art. Mary, Elizabeth and Kay entertained us with information about the topic and provided a number of samples. Here is what they discovered.
There are two styles of texture; visual and tactile. So what does that mean in relation to our fibre art?
Tactile: Is the fabric smooth like silk, or ribbed like corduroy? This can also include the weave of the fabric, the beading on it, or the stitching and any dimensional additions.
Visual: There is no actual texture on the surface, but rather gives the appearance of texture where no difference to the surface can be felt; e.g. a fabric printed with bark, droplets of water, or cracked concrete.
Here are some samples that Mary, Elizabeth and Kay produced for our group. In this picture you can see the various different fabric textures that were used to create a tactile surface.
The postcard here has been stitched with fabric that has then been cut to create a chenille effect.
Another example showed the use of fabric texture created with a cooling rack to achieve a "nubbly" effect, which is used in the centre of the sunflower.
Texture Magic is a product that will also produce this effect.
In this example the horns of the figure are couched and the background is raw edge fabric stitched in place to create texture.
Consider using your twin needle to create texture as shown in this example. Notice the ridges created by the stitching of the twin needle
Cathy provided an example of encrusting, another form of creating texture in our fibre art. If an object is encrusted it is covered or overlaid with a coating or hard covering. In our case, those coverings can include cheesecloth, cotton, organdy, organza, netting, or tulle.
On close inspection you can see buttons encrusted between fabric and stitched in place; cheesecloth encrusts additional little pieces.
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| A detail of the encrusted piece. |
Ann Johnston in her book
The Quilter's Book of Design writes; "Quilters have the advantage of being able to choose from a whole range of fabrics, embellishments, and quilting and construction techniques to achieve a wide variety of textures. A hundred years ago quilters were taking advantage of fancy fabrics, embroidery stitches, paint, lace and ribbons. We have even more options today."
Consider how
couching, buttons, and
puff paint might add to the texture of your textile piece.
Till the next time, happy stitching and creating.
