Paper Shapes

I began by using the shape that seem to have carried through several chapters.

Image 1 – Taking out sections of the shape:

Image 2 – Taking slices out of the shape to gradually grow it:

Paper Experiments

Chapter 11 begins with paper experiments.  How can you grow/disintegrate a piece of paper?

Image 1 – Here I’ve tried to grow/disintegrate using different size shape cutting (I think the top left cutting is quite effective):

Image 2 – Cutting and folding a square of paper:

Image 3 – Close up of the top left cutting:

Image 4 – I love the 3D nature of the folding

Image 5 – another close up showing the folding giving a 3D effect:

Image 6 – Ripping out sections:

Image 7 – Ripping, poking and cutting:

Image 8 – Another folding close-up:

Image 9 – Ripped the square into a spiral:

Image 10 – Spiral from the side.  Whilst the square has disintegrated another shape has been formed:

I particularly like the ‘windmill’ (images 3 and 4) and I might take that further into my resolved sample.

Inlay Appliqué – Counterchange Sample 3

Now onto the final, more complex, sample.  This time I cut different patterns/crosses from two different squares (to get four different pieces) and bonded them onto four entirely whole squares.  Then I cut out the swirly star from each piece and inlaid them into each other!  Gosh that sounds jolly complicated!
Image 1 – The finished sample with one line of running stitch on each portion to tie them all together:
Image 2 – The top-left square:
Image 3 – Close up of the top-left square:
Image 4 – Top-right square:
Image 5 – Bottom-left square (my favourite portion!):
Image 6 – Bottom-left square mid-stitching:
Image 7 – Close up of bottom-left square:
Image 8 – Close up of bottom-left square:
Image 9 – Close up of bottom-left square:
Image 10 – Bottom-right square:
Image 11 – Close up of bottom-right square:
This sample is ripe for embellishment – I could go knot crazy on the blocks of colour, maybe use some tiny sequins (my new favourite things).  But I won’t.  I’m saving my energy for the final stitched chapter of the module which I’m itching to get on with.
If I did this piece again I would take more time bonding the initial shapes.  Embellishment would secure any edges with a loose bond.

Inlay Appliqué – Counterchange Sample 2

Time for something a little more complicated!  I was very careful with my cutting because I didn’t want any big gaps at points.  Using four squares I cut a simple shape from each of them and swapped them around.
Image 1 – Tacked onto a fabric for stitching.  I didn’t use tissue paper because it wouldn’t have given enough support for going through the sewing machine:
Image 2 – Close up of tacked pieces before introducing them to the machine:
Image 3 – Getting to work…:
Image 4 – The finished piece:
Image 5 – Close up of finished piece:
Image 6 – Close up of finished piece:
Image 7 – Close up of finished piece:
Image 8 – Close up of finished piece:
I decided not to embellish it further because I quite like the mix of simple block-coloured shapes with more interesting patterned ones.

Inlay Appliqué – Counterchange Sample 1

So I’d prepared my squares and tried out some insertion stitches.  Now was the time to have a go at inlay appliqué!
I took two different colour squares and cut out the exact same swirly star shape from them and swapped them over (a yellow star into the blue square and the blue star into the yellow square).
Image 1 - Here’s square number one using a simple insertion stitch:
Image 2 – Close up showing the texture of the felt yellow star next to the organza-covered surface:
Image 3 – it got a little tricky stitching when beads were in the way!:
Image 4 – Here’s the other square with the blue star inside again using simple insertion stitch:
Image 5 – I picked out a few of the stars on the yellow square and added little running stitches for interest:
Image 6 – Those pesky beads made things a little awkward at the edge…:
Image 7 – Another close up because I love close ups!
Image 8 – There’s a little gap in the point there but careful manipulation of the fabric ‘into the hole’ minimises the effect: