Project Date: Spring 2013 & 2014
Project Directive
Translate your physical beauty artifacts into abstract surfaces. Explore basic hand and machine sewing and fabric manipulation techniques.
1. For inspiration you will do internet research on fabric manipulation.
- Search terms: Fabric Manipulation & Fabric Origami
- Technique search terms: Smocking, English Smocking, North American Smocking, Slashed Tucks, Seamless Tucks, Pattern Tucking, Cording (hand and machine), All-Sides Gathering, Shirring, Pattern Shirring, & Embroidery
Excellent text on the subject: The Art of Manipulating Fabric by Colette Wolf.
2. You will use your collection of beautiful artifacts to inspire a series of sewn muslin fabric manipulations.
- Each fabric manipulation will be inspired by one of the beautiful artifacts. Six artifacts = six fabric squares.
- For each artifact make a list of adjectives that describe its form and meaning.
- Sketch ideas for the translation of the artifact into abstract fabric surface.
- Each fabric manipulation will be sewn in muslin, 6 in x 6 in.
- The pieces will be the color of the raw muslin. You may use the scissors, muslin and thread as materials. You may add other materials that are the color of the muslin for structure or texture. However every material needs to be manipulated.
Student Examples:
