Happy June!

Hi everyone!

I found this amazing article on Blackwork (traditionally black honey-comb like stitch patterns on white fabric), and thought others might enjoy - particularly if you're going to be teaching or learning about embroidery!

I also found this amazing blog by embroidery/etc artist Jenny Hart, "Embroidery as Art", that seems to do a terrific job of showing work of contemporary artists and exhibitions, such as the below piece by Alicia Ross.

Technique: Discharge Printing

From Prochem's instruction sheet on using thiox:


Discharge printing on cotton and cellulose fibers, including silk.

Make the discharge paste. Choose one of the following recipes below to make one cup of discharge paste:

Discharge paste made from scratch

1. Measure the following ingredients in the order given:

¾ cup water
½ tsp Metaphos
¼ tsp Thiox
½ tsp PRO Dye Activator or Soda Ash

2. Once dissolved, slowly add 2 tsp of PRO Thick SH, while stirring rapidly.

3. Let mixture stand for 10 to 15 minutes.

Discharge paste using PRO Print Paste Mix SH

1. Measure 5½ level Tbl of PRO Print Paste Mix SH into a dry container. Measure 1 cup of warm water into a second container.

2. Add PRO Print Paste Mix SH to the water while stirring rapidly.

3. Continue stirring until a smooth paste is obtained.

4. Let stand 1 hour or overnight for smoothest results.

5. In a separate container, dissolve ¼ tsp Thiox and ½ tsp of PRO Dye Activator or Soda Ash in room temperature water, each in a separate container.

6. When thoroughly dissolved, add both to one cup of prepared Print Paste Mix SH.

2. Apply the discharge paste to the fabric. Do not allow the discharge paste to completely dry on the fabric before steaming or the Thiox does not strip the color. Steam for 20 to 30 minutes. Discard discharge paste after one day.

3. Neutralize the silk, after discharging. Mix together 1 gallon of warm water and 1 Tbl of Acetic Acid 56% OR 11 Tbl of white distilled vinegar 5%.. Soak the silk for 10 minutes. Rinse well and wash hot with ½ tsp Synthrapol per pound of fiber and dry. You do not need to neutralize cotton, rayon or linen fabric.

If the color is not discharging rapidly enough then increase the amount of Thiox. You can use up to five times the amount listed in all the recipes above without harming the fabric.

Everyday Object Faux Suede Sculptures

Check out these pretty insane sculptures...L.A. artist Mashanda Scott creates them by handstitching a faux-suede.

"With my sculptures, my aim is to replicate (as closely as possible) functional everyday objects in an opposite material, rendering them useless. Through the loss of function, form gains importance."

Upholstered Pigs!

We don't see a lot of upholstery work, but here are some adorable piggies I found, created by German designers Yvonne Fehling and Jennie Peiz.

For more photos of their work and installations, click here!

Crocheted Guns!

These faaaabulous crocheted guns were created by Inger Carina. Enjoy!

Bianca Green

I kind of wish Bianca Green made quilts instead of prints!

Sewnnews by Lauren DiCioccio

Sewnnews is an amazing project by artist Lauren DiCioccio in which she encases issues of The New York Times in cotton muslin and embroiders the fabric. The results are simply stunning. Take a look at Lauren’s portfolio to see more. She also embroiders on money, playing cards, slides, and more!

Colorful Deer Heads

Happy Sunday!

Here are some fancy, colorful deer heads (not quite fiber-art, but I found the patterns inspiring!) from Etsy seller Ruby's Lounge:

-Veronica

Hello, Spring Semester!

Hi everyone!

I recently sent out an email regarding Spring updates and meetings - if you aren't on the mailing list, please let me know so you can get on there! The dates for the Spring meetings are February 7th, March 7th, and April 11th.

Don’t forget to continue working on your piece for the upcoming 2^nd annual FAN Club show! Again, the theme is “Needling!” For more information on the theme, see below. The show goes up March 25^th!

The conceptual focus of this exhibition is the use of fiber sensibilities to create works that seek to disturb, unsettle, or challenge expectations and/or assumptions. Something draws us to the venue of what might be considered traditional household fiber techniques - perhaps a comfort from childhood. These works can carry strong connotations of home, craft, tradition, and family. But they can also gain great power when they are used to convey a broader social message. Turning those comfortable connotations upside down to convey sometimes uncomfortable social commentary transforms seemingly soft and friendly techniques into tools for powerful artistic and social voice. It is the twisting of those very "soft" connotations into "hard" social comment that evokes feelings of shock, discomfort, or poignancy - and serves as the basis for this year's exhibition theme - "NEEDLING".

Last, but not least, here are some blackbird pies and crocheted bulls!

Enjoy, and see you all in February!

Fiber Artists!

Hi everyone!

I hope you've all had a nice winter break :)

I just came across this website, which links to quite a few fiber artists' sites. A lot of different styles are represented--it looks like it could be a valuable resource when researching varying techniques and styles, or just wanting to look at some fun art!

-Veronica