Original piece, top photo. Reconstructed piece, bottom photo.
Well, I finally had a chance to get a challenge done this spring! I sliced, I diced, I twisted and turned. I'm still not totally enamored with the thing, but I think it's better than the original version. I like that there is more movement in the piece, and although I'm still not crazy about the couched yarns, I think they look better integrated in the after piece.
The original was already finished about a year ago; I think it was a companion to another challenge piece, so when I sliced and diced, I simply overlayed the quilted pieces and topstitched them together. I put a new layer of stabilizer and a new backing on the back; added a bit more quilting to hold it together, and covered the exposed edges with more couched yarn. The fabrics are overdyed vintage kimono silks which were originally fused. Construction-wise, I don't think this one will hold up real well, as the silks are already starting to fray, and I probably signed their death warrant with all the additional stitching.
This was a good exercise. I have done a little slicing before, but not to an already completed project. Thanks Linda.
Brenda Jennings
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6 comments:
Hi Brenda!
It took me awhile in looking at the images to figure out what kind of change you made to the base piece. I can see that you've cut it apart and put it back together, but the reconstructed piece seems to have the same design sense as the base. There is more shape balance in the reconstructed piece compared with the base piece though. Are you pleased with the change?
Your piece does look better balanced now. Having the couched yarn on the edges of some of the interior shapes helps better to integrate it into the design, rather than looking like it was added on top.
I like the reconstructed piece, it seems more cohesive.
Hi Brenda, I agree the reconstructed piece looks more balanced, unified and has more depth. I'd like to see a bit more drama to this piece...the shapes are dramatic, but the colors are primarily in the same value range. Some darkest of dark and/or lightest of lights could be a good addition. Or something like a black & white zebra print or checkerboard or ethnic print could be fun. I love hand dyes and tone on tone prints, but I also love to throw some pattern in there to liven it up.
Great shapes..you're a master at that!
Cynthia
I find this piece interesting... the shapes and color didn't change much, but I like the re-working that happended to the couching, and I guess what I appreciate about this piece is your reconstruction. I would like to look at this one personally. You say you put one sliced up piece over a companion piece? Fascinating.......
Thank you for sharing!!
Carole
I know you changed this piece but it still feels very much the same. Actually I'm impressed with how much you changed it and yet it has the same feel. Adding a few more colors or prints would be interesting.
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