A Pivot Towards Fabric: Adding (More) Scraps and Thread Into My Art
I’ve always had a thing for fabric.
(Read this post for my fabric backstory and added context) 🙂
That said, I’ve noticed my penchant for fabric keeps growing and growing.
Over the past two years specifically, I’ve become increasingly focused on pattern design for fabrics. As part of that, I’ve spent some time offline tinkering with a collection of pattern designs to upload to Spoonflower and such. Though I’ve yet to launch any of my patterned fabric designs just yet, I’m working on it and aspire to launch something — albeit small at first — by next year.
But beyond designing motifs or prints for fabric, I find myself wanting to physically incorporate more fabric elements into my analog work and digital art.
I’m not entirely sure at the moment what “more fabric” in my mixed media art practice will or may look like just yet but I’m allowing myself to lean into this adding-fabric vibe a bit more each day.
What I can say at present is that, in the spirit of sustainability, I’ve been collecting second-hand clothing and other used fabrics while I ponder how to repurpose the fabric into my art. This expanding collection is piling up fast 🙂 and I’ve already taken scissors to it but nothing too formal or finished just yet.
The visual research
This whole adding-fabric mojo has also required some visual research because it’s always helpful to see what’s already out there and get a better sense of what folks are posting and selling in this regard.
Pinterest, of course, has been instrumental in my research.
But so have several books; a handful in fact have been profoundly inspirational; and not just recently published books but older books as well.
For example, two fabric collage and vintage embroidery books in particular — both from from the 50s-60s — have absolutely inspired me to no end.
One of the two older books that got my mixed media fabric ideas going is Introducing Fabric Collage by Margaret Connor (on right).
Connor’s examples, which showcase the creation of scenes using shapes and figures made from fabric and scraps, has kicked open all kinds of creative possibilities for me.
Needless to say I’m *still* sorting through the tsunami of ideas that have sprung up for me since embarking on my visual research across Pinterest, books, and more.
Oh and then there’s the thread.
It’s nearly impossible to think of fabric and not think about thread 🙂
So then it would be no surprise that both embroidery and cross stitch have been calling my attention lately as well; so much so that I’ve begun to sketch out a few motif ideas with thread and embroidery floss. But omg … I can’t even get into this topic much further right now because this post will get much longer than I set out to write 🙂 So let’s save this topic for another day.
Now where does all this “more fabric” mojo leave me (and you) right about now?
Do fabric and threads speak to you as they speak to me?!
If they do, please LET ME KNOW that I’m not alone !! 🙂 lol … Go ahead and drop me a comment here (below) or leave a note for me on my Facebook page or my Instagram and let’s talk about this fabric love we share together 🙏🏽
Otherwise, I’m just sharing some of the latest ideas to flood my fabric-inspired way as of late. I can’t wait to develop my concepts, sketches, and patterns a bit further and share my progress with you as I get a bit more organized and further along.
Yours in art and creative expression,
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