Module 2 Chapter 10
Create a 3D Structure using line, texture and free embroidery techniques
This page shows the template that I used for the paper mock up. Paper was too stiff to fold and manipulate into the rounded shape that I wanted, so I decided to used copper mesh.
The Process...
Inside of pod before shaping - copper side up,
The Process...
Inside of pod before shaping - copper side up,
Outside of pod before shaping, showing green chiffon surface and vermicelli cable stitching
Single pod shape, after copper coils had been sewn in and the pod manipulated into the desired shape.
I liked the colour combinations and stitching, but the pod looks a little 'lost' and small. I decided to make a larger pod to cover the ouside of this pod, to create more layers and a more rounded shape.
Pictures of finished pod
View from bottom
I made a bigger pod to cover the smaller, inner pod, which resulted in a more rounded shape.
View from side
I preferred the bigger pod, with the layered effect that the outer shell gave. I also manipulated and curled the outer pod to show the inside stitching.
View from front, showing copper coils
Alternate views
These pictures show the shape and layers of the larger pod shape.
Plan and Evaluations
Textures
Plan - Use smooth and ridged textures. Smooth for the pod surface and ridged for the stitch decoration on the outside of the pod sides.
Evaluation - I liked the contrast between the smooth surface of the pod on the outside (achieved through covering the wire mesh with chiffon) and the ridged 'veiny' quality of the vermicelli cable stitch.
Fabrics
Plan - use copper mesh as a base for the structure as this will be strong and flexible enough to manipulate into different shapes. Cover one side of the copper in chiffon in order to create a smoother surface on one side and to provide a contrast in colour.
Evaluation - The copper was strong and flexible enough to manipulate into different shapes and could also be stitched to hold the form together. There was a limit to how far I could manipulate the copper though, due to the amount of bulk created at its base. The chiffon was easy to handle and provided the contrast I was looking for.
Colours
Plan - I wanted to heat the copper to create a more tarnished effect and deeper copper colour. I decided to use green as an outer layer, so that it was more obvious that this was a pod and not a flower. I decided to use black/copper thread (Wonderfil wt 12 'Sizzle thread) for the ridged veins as this would work well with the green and copper colour combination. I planned to use gold thread on the copper coils as a lighter highlight for the finished design.
Evaluation - I thought that the colour combinations were effective in achieving the result that I was looking for, especially as the choice of black gave the pod quite a 'prehistoric' feel. The colour choices were also a departure from my usual choice of purples and pinks! I thought that the gold worked well as a highlight and 'lifted' the final design.
Stitches
Plan - I planned to use vermicelli stitch as a cable stitch for the outer surface of the pod, as this would look like wiggly veins running over its surface. I used a 12wt thread to create the cable stitch on the outside and a plain black thread in the top thread for the inside of the pod. I used free motion stitching in straight lines to run up and down the length of the copper coils. I didn't plan to use any other types of stitching as I didn't want to overload the design with too many different ideas.
Evaluation - I really liked the effect of the vermicelli stitch as it achieved the effect that I had planned for. I think that I would use an automatic patterned stitch on the coils if I were to create this again, to provide a little more contrast to the pod stitching.
Order of Work
Pod
Draw around the paper pod shape onto copper mesh and cut the shapes out.
Heat the copper and allow to cool.
Cover one side of the copper mesh with chiffon.
Stitch the vermicelli stitch onto the copper mesh and chiffon (copper side up).
Cut around the stitched pod shape.
Coils
Cut a rectangle of copper mesh and heat.
Stitch lines of gold thread up and down the length of copper.
Cut into thin strips around the stitching.
Coil copper strips around a skewer.
Sew inside the pod shape.
Finally, curl and shape the pod into the desired shape. Stitch sides together where necessary so that the pod holds its shape.
Extra!
Once I had made the first pod, I decided that it looked a little lost and small, so I made a second, larger pod shape to create a second, more rounded shape. I think that this was much more effective as it created extra 'secretive' layers to peer into to see where the copper coils had sprouted from (see pictures above of the process).
I learnt lots from this module, although it took me longer to complete than I had planned for (life and job changes!). I have become more adventurous with my colour schemes, and am more aware of the need for contrast in my designs through texture and line. I have also learned how to use lots of different stitching, which I had previously been unsure how to execute, but now feel alot more confident to attempt and experiment with!
I learnt lots from this module, although it took me longer to complete than I had planned for (life and job changes!). I have become more adventurous with my colour schemes, and am more aware of the need for contrast in my designs through texture and line. I have also learned how to use lots of different stitching, which I had previously been unsure how to execute, but now feel alot more confident to attempt and experiment with!
Authentication photos - resolved sample from Chapter 5
No cats around this time!
