Some new samples...

I have just uploaded some images of some new samples for my textile project so that I can make some comments and try to decide just where to go from here.

This first image continues to explore the idea of drawing tools which represent the news skills I have learnt since loosing Carl. Whilst this could be seen as a negative subject, to me it suggests a positive aspect of the new way that we are having live our lives. Rather than giving up, I have embraced the opportunity of learning these skills and enjoyed the new sense of independence, although sometimes it does just feel like a case of stoicism. The performance of these male dominated skills is then being represented in a very female form, embroidery. The felt base has a wonderful soft feel like a blanket, like a skin and therefor can offer comfort and protection. Each stitch makes me carefully study the drill, thinking about the jobs Carl used it for but also reminding me of my small moments of success. No preliminary marks are made and no mistakes are corrected in the aim of trying to remove the notion that it has to be perfect. The imperfections will form part of the memory: they will remind me of how many holes I made in the kitchen wall when trying to put up the window blind with my sister. Imperfections are part of our life, what matters is how we embrace them!

I will try some other methods of drawing on the felt such as using ink, oil pastel and needle felting  (see previous blog dated 3rd March). Will continue with same theme ie the camera,  drill, saw, central heating box, oil and air in car etc. Just need to decide if will continue using felt or go back to what I love most, free machine embroidery on dissolvable fabric because I think this medium best explores the ideas of perfection and vulnerability.

Free Machine Embroidery, Drill on Felt

The next three images are some experiments made in the exploration of perfection and vulnerability. The works were formed as a response to an image of rocks on a beach, but also an exploration of different approaches to free machine embroidery.

Free machine embroidery on handmade paper.

Free machine embroidery on net and dissolvable fabric

Holes made in muslin, pulled tight over embroidery frame and holes reinforced.

I found these techniques very enjoyable as there wasn't a lot of control over the finished effect and therefor they feel they are more useful in my exploration of the need for perfection. Whilst the drawn image on felt isn't removed from the foot of the sewing machine to look for errors and therefor not corrected during the making process, it does have a dependable, substantial feel and thus the imperfections in the drawing look just like mistakes. I feel that this  hinders the appearance of the work and does not provide a new dimension as was achieved with the camera drawing on dissolvable fabric. So next: first continue on felt with different mediums in which to make marks to see if similar results occur and second, try images of drill etc on dissolvable fabric. Consider using some samples of coloured fabric.