fenscapes
In the last post I had made the layered fabric up to the point of ironing the pieces onto the backing and the next step was to stitch the layers of chiffon, silk etc down using a straight free machine embroidery stitch, just going from side to side in gently meandering lines. I wanted to make sure that all the fabrics were caught as not all of them had made a good contact with the bondaweb.
In my mind’s eye I could picture the fenland landscape, filtered now by two days being home. I knew I wanted to capture the tiered look to the colours as they ranged through sky shades, golds and soft greens. I pulled out threads too and a bundle of silk pieces i bought as a job lot not long ago. The silk graded through creams and gold beautifully, and after trying it out, I decided I wouldn’t even attempt blue in this piece, but would stick to greens and pull in some burnt orange as a highlight.
Then the bold cut. If I had created the fabric, then I could be the destroyer too. It was hard to take the cutter to the little piece above but I knew it wanted to be made into small fenscapes. And I knew I wanted to try some free piecing. I’d read about it here and it seemed very liberating. So I cut a piece about 3 inches square-well off-square really, from the layered fabric. Then I added four free pieced strips to the edges.
Oh happpy serendipity..the area I cut, the pieces I chose for edging combined to make a tiny fenscape…
and I swear it just happened, rather than being carefully planned. It all needs a good press but the textures are just gorgeous and the green scrim has even frayed to resemble the tall reeds of a fenland.
I get some very strange responces when I tell people I’m a fen girl and love the landscape. I’m so pleased you found inspiration there too. It may be flat, but add in the lighting effects from those vast skies and it’s transformed and constantly changing. It makes you look at the details and and subtlety of colour.
Your silk stripes are lovely – especially where you’ve added the zingy lemon and coral.
Celia
PS: Had a quick look at the other photos on Flickr and saw an amazing picture of a Griffon Vulture – aren’t they just amazing. It brought back memories of hiking up to a gorge in the Sierra de Grazalema to watch them soar back to their nests.
This is gorgeous, Judith. The fraying really adds to the effect. Yummy!
Love the serendipity and how this piece came out of the whole for you. I’ve always loved fibers showing off themselves as part of a landscape… you did it great with the “reeds”. ( Isn’t dupioni the best?)
this is great, Judith. I am enoying seeing all you are doing. I was wondering is scrim different to cheesecloth?
that gauzy piece in there is just perfect.
The fenscape experiments are so exciting!
I think when you say “it just happened”, it is because you were so immersed in your subject and materials that you manifested your ideas directly…no planning necessary! It is grace when that happens.
Thank you for your very kind comment about my Spring CQ…as usual, you understood what I was going for. How I appreciate your empathy!
I’m off to Michigan so will be incommunicado for a few weeks..just wanted to know I’m thinking of you and love what you are up to!
Those Fenland skies look amazing..and your ‘captures’ are lovely.
I’m thrilled to have all of your encouraging comments. Thank you all so much.
Paula-the difference between muslin and scrim is a textural one-the scrim is heavier and slightly coarser, so the weave is a little more open.
thanks. Im never sure if it the same stuff with different names.