Assessment 1: Using Metallic Materials - Updated with revisions to final piece

During the last week I have been working on my 3D models described in pervious blog entries.  

Following feedback from Sian on my September report I have been practising my Free Machine Embroidery (FME) and working more with metallic threads for creating interesting stitched surfaces. 

Now working towards my first piece of assessed work for the diploma, I have decided to create a series of small works that follow a stylised sequence of the development of a Californian poppy that will meet the criteria for Using Metallic Materials.

The image below shows a temporary arrangement of my five pieces.  All the exterior surfaces have been created with metallic threads on soluble fabric using FME.  From left to right: 

• The drooping immature poppy bud.  
• The petals being to show through the sepals.  
• The poppy in full flower.  
• The capsule seed head beginning to develop.  
• The seed head has spilled it seeds and is beginning to decay.

The full description of my research and project development can be read in the attached PDF by clicking on this link Assessment 1: "Using Metallic Materials" 
 

Updated section:

Following discussion with Sian on my work in progress,  I made additions to my previous piece of work to make a base to enable the piece to be free standing and enhanced it with hand stitch to create more interest.  This video of the final piece  (see link below) shows the changes:

The five stems of the poppies stages were bound together to help with mounting in the box.

In summary the changes include:

•        The existing FME leaves enhanced with handstitched veins.

•        Needlelace ladybird attached to a leaf on the second poppy.

•        Stumpwork bumblebee attached to the poopy in full flower.

•        Fourth stage poppy replaced with a different version – the metallic threads are on the inside of the seedhead, with tiny bead shapes of glue painted silver to represent dew sitting on the objects

•        New leaf created for fourth stage – needlelace on wire frame with variegated (pale greens and brown) hand painted silk thread to represent early stages of leaf decay

•        New leaf created in double Brussels stich on wire frame with hand painted browns variegated silk thread.

•        The base created from a stiff cardboard box to provide stability to the arrangement, represents a section of garden where the poppies are growing.  The sides are hand painted cotton, handstitched with French knots in variegated threads to represent a stone wall and part of a garden with soils and low vegetation.

I have called the piece ‘My Weedy Garden’, as it reminds me of the clumps of Welsh Poppies  (Papaver cambricum) in my garden that  have continued to bloom throughout 2020.

This additional work took an extra 30 hours of development, but there was no additional cost. 

Click here for the link to the video of 'My Weedy Garden'

I am chuffed to bits to include this final pdf summary with close up details and feedback of my first diploma assessment piece using metallics.

This has been a very enjoyable part of the course, I have become much more confident with design development, FME and using metallic threads.

I am looking forward to finishing the last few sections of Module 2 before the end of 2020.  😀