I think I am almost done with the embroidery on this piece. I have really enjoyed working on it, and it was the perfect thing for me to take to the beach; very portable and small. I have decided to call it “Petri Dish Promenade,” because the circles are starting to look more and more like the circular petri dishes used to cultivate bacteria in the lab.
The photo above shows one of the spots where I added silk fibers instead of the cotton used everywhere else. The silk is the medium blue fuzzy stuff stitched down in the lower right corner.
Stitches include French knots, short and long running stitches, and “chicken scratches” and Xs. It’s not at all planned, and very random.
I’m stitching around some of the dots and blots left by stray drips of the soy wax used to create the batik fabric.
In some spots, I’m not going to stitch on the white circles at all. I’m almost ready to take the next step and decide how I’m going to use this. I’m considering using other hand-dyed fabrics in some sort of pieced frame, and then quilting the whole thing. Perhaps extending the embroidery out into the frame in a few places. I have not entirely abandoned the idea of cutting it up into chunks and using them in a larger pieced work. Ideas, anyone?
Posts
I think your beautiful fabric would make a scrumptious shoulder bag. I would love to look at your stitching up close as I stood behind you in line at the grocery store!
ReplyDeleteI actually thought about using it that way, Samantha! Or in a vest. You kind of need to see it up close to appreciate the detail. Perhaps I will rethink how to use it.
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful, I love the thought that they are bacterias growing in petri dishes. I think the way your photos crop each section really accentuates all the lovely stitching. When it is one large piece, it doesn't feel as dynamic. What about a series of small wall pieces that could hang together in a group. Maybe you could start to think of them as specimen slides, lol.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Judy! I am struggling a bit with trying to figure out how to best display them, since they really don't show well unless you are looking at them up close.
ReplyDeleteWow, what tedious work. Do you get tired doing such intricate work?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
Fairykin, I do it in small stretches, an hour or two at a time, so my hands don't get tired. And I really enjoy doing it, so it is a fun way to spend the time. If it wasn't fun, I wouldn't do it! :-)
ReplyDeleteLove the name -very original. I could not even think about cutting it up as it would loose its impact. After seeing it last night I thought you should frame it but then you wouldn't really get to share it with many people. Displayed it in a vest or jacket so many people could enjoy its beauty!
ReplyDeleteLiz
Hi! I have been checking back every day as I was impatiently waiting for you to finish this! And I am not disappointed! It absolutely gorgeous! WOW !! that's all I can say. I LOVE it! First reaction was: nooooooo, don't cut it up!! do a wall hanging with batiks around or something. Then looking at it, I thought.. mmmm... a series of small bits .. progressing but in order.. could have an impact (even though it would break my heart to see it cut up) but then I read the comments. And yes, you are all so right! You really need to see this close up to appreciate the full loveliness... A jacket would be great!! But maybe you could do the jacket in another sort of material and have panels in this? I really could see the blue on the back e.g and the orangey/yellows on the front. It would make and outstanding jacket! Some red/orange on the collar (tiny collar, not too big, you want the eye to go to the panels themselves, but it would be more finished than just bias). Gosh, I love this so much, I get carried away... Can't wait to see what you do in the end!
ReplyDeleteThis is terrific! I agree with the folks who are saying this needs to be finished so that more folks can see it close up. I really like the idea of a wearable, so that folks can see how everyday things can also be beautiful artwork.
ReplyDeleteThis is just gorgeous!! How will you be able to cut into it?
ReplyDeleteMarilyn, are you talking about technically how I will do it? or emotionally? :-)
ReplyDeleteStill not sure if I can handle cutting into it, emotionally.
If I do cut it, I need to make sure that none of the embroidery frays when the piece is cut. First, I'd decide on the size of pieces I want, and draw chalk lines where it will be cut. Then I'll stitch a line about 1/8" on either side of the chalk line, using a very short stitch length. After that, I could cut on the chalk line without risking too much fraying.
I'm still thinking about what to do! Stay tuned!
waiting with bated breath... Personally, I couldn't bear to cut into it if I had got that far... but then again, I am a scaredycat like that very much..and sometimes it gets better when you take it further. Not being very experienced I am always scared to make it worse instead of improved, and so limit myself... You, however, make beautiful things,so I imagine you could take it further no problem (definitely technically, if not emotionally:-)
ReplyDeleteI really have been thinking about this one...Taken into account how, technically you want to tackle possible cutting, and come to the conclusion I couldn't do it! There's nowhere to cut properly and not ruin something... Back to wallhanging? A lot of people could see it AND come close up...
ReplyDelete