I made Vases II to try some different techniques, and to challenge myself to free-hand cutting without marking or templates. I used Setacolor fabric paints to do the shading on the vases, and edge stitched with embroidery floss.
The shading is giving dimension, while the edge stitching is making it look flat, and I don’t think the two work well together. I like the effect I got in the background by combining both hand and machine stitching.
I don't know about the color of that left vase. It kind of disappears into the background.
I really like your second version. The paints make excellent shading.
ReplyDeleteAbout that edge stitching - have you considered possibly coloring over the threads to make them blend in with the vase edges? Paint pens are wonderful things. Or you always have your fabric paints to work with. Those stitches would absolutely disappear if you colored them to match the fabric they are on.
As usual, play with it first on some scraps to see if it works for you.
Marilyn
Linda,
ReplyDeleteI like this one too. Coloring the stitches with a pen really does work. I've done it before on some terrible applique stitches and it helped blend them in quite a lot. It's only the red vase where the stitches show much.
Having the left vase fade into the background kind of makes a nice counterpoint between the foreground and the background, but if it really bothers you, you could color it in too. Either way would be lovely.
Hey Linda, I think it's great you pushed yourself to do a second version. It's a great piece, too. I agree the floss on the edge of the red vase flattens it and coloring it would probably solve that....but I wouldn't do anything to the stitches going around the neck and base of the vase because it adds to the shape/form of the vase.
ReplyDeleteDid you like working this way alot more? If you don't really like it and enjoy the usual way you work, go back to it! You are such a master with combining prints...it makes for such variety and interest and makes you want to look longer. Just my humble opinion, anyone can paint shading and shadows but few can get the marvelous effects you get with prints.
But if you loved working more free form...go for it! If you've read Nancy Crow's book, that's what she did with great success after years of working with templates.
And you surely don't have to choose between your two approaches, it would be great fun to do pieces in both styles (would make a great exhibit to see them side by side)
You are setting a great example of experimentation...thanks!
Cynthia