Close-Ups and Techniques

"Wind and Water"

Reflections

The garments under the coat.

Detail view of the "waves"

Lower section of back train on coat.

Lots of basting necessary before final machine stitch down.

Numerous techniques were used to create texture and the feeling of moving water.

Embroidered applique circles stitched to represent circling water spouts.

The process begins with design drawings

Fabric selections and color pallet are also crucial and takes weeks of searching for just the right pieces.
When the right fabrics aren't available, you dye your own. Here I wanted seaweed, so I dyed cheese cloth.

Dyed cheese cloth is layered under water soluble and stitched from the back side using bobbin work.

Hand beading adds sparkle and dimension. Fabric manipulated poofs simulate bubbles.

Beading makes for nice outlining of the individual "waves".

Outlining, circles, puffs, beading and fabric scrunching give the piece depth.

Planning is everything. Here I am mapping out the colors

Creating the waves and deciding where they best fit to move the viewer's eyes down and around the design.

Assembling and auditioning the waves.

Foiling adds a whole other level of shimmer.

Paintsticks, Gridding, Couching, and Free Motion stitching add movement and detail.

Paintsticks on Scrunched fabric with Couching.

 

Details of upper front panel of coat.

Front bodice panel.

Pleating forms foundation for some of the waves on the bodice to the left.

Gridwork formed the cuffs on the coat.

Gridwork, further inhanced with painsticks.

Free-motion couching with special Bernina foot.

Accessories add the finishing touch. The purse was needle felted and embellished.

Purse and headpiece coordinate.

Headpiece with ribbons, hanging strung beads and sea shells.

Inspiration and Description...click HERE HERE

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