May/June 2014 Art challenge

For this challenge I would like to see a project be heavily influenced by a traditional discipline of art. Be creative! Be wacky! Be out there!!!  Below are some ideas from the visual arts, but I welcome the notion to take this challenge even further into music, dance,  architecture or wherever.  Have fun!! 

Sculpture

Alexander Calder

Threads magazine 156

book available on amazon

Collage

Ray Johnson

Koos Van Den Akker

Gayle Ortiz

Rosemary Eichorn

Assemblage

Diane Ericson

Marcel Duchamp "Readymades"

Steampunk

Drawing

Rembrandt

Sharpie Stained markers

Painting

Drop Cloth fabric

Artemesia Gentileschi

Hand painted dress

Printmaking

Warhol

surfacedesign.org

March/April 2014 Challenge: Sheers

Results of Brenda's sheer sewing challenge:

Brenda 

Brenda used McCalls 6467 and a pastel cotton for her blouse.

Detail of the sheer insertion

Cynthia

Cynthia made this elegant cowl neck top from a knit sheer fabric. 

Sue L.

From a distance this looks like it could be a large pair of panties or a slip,
 but its actually a bassinet cover made from the Mom's bridal gown.
What a sweet idea.

Katherine

I made this top from silk chiffon using Simplicity 1690. I'm not crazy about it.
 I'm afraid I might get voted off the island over it!

Sue B.

Sue's skirt is Vogue 7090

Kathy

The winner of this month's over achiever award!

Kathy did all of this sheer insertion on a regular (not embroidery) machine.
Amazing!

Kathy also made the scarf/necklace she's wearing. Neat idea.

Carol,  Jan and Marge are still working on theirs.

Update:

Marge's finished project for the March/April challenge:

Marge made an elegant shawl by needle felting fibers to
a silk home dec sample.

Update:

Carol's finished project for the March/April challenge:

Carol made this lovely feminine skirt with a sheer embroidered overlay.

January/February 2014 Challenge: Make Your Own Fabric

The challenge, courtesy of Brenda, was to make our own textile. As always, our interpretations were wide ranging.

Sue B. 

Sue used a "Stack 'n' Whack" technique to make this lovely pillow.

Kathy

Kathy stitched bias strips in a lattice pattern for this vest. Can you tell its actually two different fabrics?

She also gets extra credit for experimenting with solvable stabilizer, making this sample and a fabric bowl:

Brenda

Brenda made the textile for the lower section of this bag from various fabric scraps. I wonder what she keeps in all those bags she makes!

Carol

Carol, the knitter, crocheted this lovely Boteh scarf:

Cynthia

Cynthia pieced together two different fabrics and inserted a yarn to create this scarf:

Katherine

I did bobbin work, applique and free motion embroidery to create this skirt.

Update:

Marge's finished project for the January/February challenge:

The three sections of fabric that look like tweed or textured upholstery fabric
were made by repeatedly stitching blended color threads over a cotton base. 

2013 Holday Party

Yummy healthy food. Sugary desserts. Sparkly Gifts. 

More patterns, books and magazines. 

What could be nicer? *

The theme for this year's gift exchange was: Beads

Unique beaded candle holder made by Sue B.

Handy travel sewing organizer made by Kathy

Beaded buttons made by Jan

Cozy beaded hat made by Cynthia

Colorful beaded bracelet made by Marge

Elegant beaded tissue holder made by Brenda

Hand-knotted beaded necklace made by Katherine

Charming beaded needle book and scissor holder made by Sue L

Lovely beaded clutch made by Carol

*Just being together.

See you in January.