Module 1, Chapter 12

I started by collaging two backgrounds from scraps of various fabrics within my chosen colours. The fabrics were mainly hand-dyed muslins with bits of sheers and nets. I attached these to a felt background using bondaweb and free motion embroidered lightly over these in order to hold down the fabric pieces. I then printed over these with Jacquard Lumière fabric paint, using light gold on the dark blue and indigo on the orange/yellow. I especially like the effect of the gold stamped onto the blue, although this was of course lost once the fabric was cut up.

 I choose as my shapes for the next stages my dynamic spinning circle shape developed on page 91 and a section of my church tower drawing as highlighted by Siân in the previous feedback. I have since realised that I reversed the image in the process, but for the purposes of the exercise this makes no difference.

I then drew repeated versions of the shapes onto ordinary copy paper and transferred the design to my prepared fabrics by stitching through the paper from the reverse. I used a orangey-red perlé thread in the bobbin on the blue fabric and a blue machine quilting thread on the orange fabric. I then cut out the shapes and started to play.

 Arrangement 1 reminds me of one of those wonderful spiky dahlias and could lend itself to making a corsage or fascinator.

Arrangement 2 could be developed into a necklace or bracelet, if made smaller,  or into a colourful band on  a cushion.

Arrangement 3 shows combinations of two interlocked shapes which again remind me of flowers and would make pleasing broaches.

This arrangement (4) does not prompt any specific item but I have included it as it reminds me of the trefoils in the church windows - how things have come full circle!

 Arrangement 5 is the same layout placed back to back and I could imaging this as a decoration on a book cover, placed either side of the spine.

I find layout 6 below pleasing and with enough pieces, it could be manipulated and joined to make a ring, perhaps as the outside of a bowl.

I found the rhomboid-ish yellow shape rather dull and uninteresting by comparison

Arrangement 7

although I did quite like these rather quirky star shapes.

Arrangement 8

Combining the shapes led to the following, which I could see as a carnival mask of some kind. Arrangement 9

Of all the above designs, I think 1, 2, 3 or 6 could be developed further. No. 6 in particular could look very effective worked in metallic threads.