Creating a Shrine Installation | Textile Art
Creating a Shrine Installation is a profound way to honour someone special. Christine Cunningham shares her Shrine to her Mam; a celebration of love and light.
Creating a Shrine Installation is a profound way to honour someone special. Christine Cunningham shares her Shrine to her Mam; a celebration of love and light.
A new textile creation is very exciting. You will have your idea (often part of a theme), done your research, gathered fabrics in your chosen colour palette and have selected embellishments to add texture and detail. The preparation in advance can make the project less overwhelming by breaking it down into stages. Let us look at simplifying the process of creating a new textile by exploring colour, size, using a framework, depth, the finishing process, hanging a textile, themed works, visibility, photography, creating prints and having a workable timetable that suits you.
Creating a textured landscape to represent skin can be easily achieved by layering a variety of materials to create a contoured surface within a chosen colour palette. Contrasting dense blocks of colour with layers of light reflective surfaces creates depth as light travels over the surface throughout the day. Fabrics offer a huge variety in texture, but other materials can be very effective.
As a textile artist my work is created from recycled materials. I source from the usual places – car boot sales, charity shops, flea markets, freecycle, donations from family and friends. Household furniture can be a great source of inspiration, both old and new. Here are some tips to encourage you to recycle fabrics covering furniture before heading to the skip.
‘Beneath the Folds with Christine Cunningham’ explains how to create a Pelmet of Textile Panels- what you need, inspiration for colour and pattern, creating a template, themed fabrics, instruction on taping and stitching your textile panel and hanging rail.
Christine Cunningham reviews Foolproof Flower Embroidery by Jennifer Clouston and says the book has “something for everyone, whether you are learning the basics or wish to extend your embroidery vocabulary”
Take on your next quilting feat with a champion quilt! From expert quilter Sandra L. Mollon, recreate the ‘Seasons of Life’ quilt, which is now a part of a permanent collection of the National Quilt Museum in Kentucky, USA.
Playful Free-Form Embroidery – Stitch Stories with Texture, Pattern and Color by Laura Wasilowski teaches you how to create bold and colourful narrative embroideries. Christine Cunningham reviews it and says the book “demonstrates how to build texture and colour in easy steps which is effective and achievable over a period of time.” Find out more at Mr X Stitch!
Hand Embroidery: Timeless Techniques for Beginners and Beyond is an expert guide to popular surface-stitching techniques, suitable for stitchers of all abilities!
The Sewing Room Sampler Quilt combines two of Yoko Saito’s favourites: blocks featuring traditional quilting motifs, such as stars and houses, plus one-of-a-kind sewing-themed applique designs. You can use the block and applique designs individually, or combine them to create this quilting masterpiece. Step-by-step colour instructions illustrate how to piece the 16 blocks together and assemble the quilt. Full-size templates of the 8 applique motifs are included on pattern sheets.
Book Review – Hisako Nishisu invites you to try her new collection of Cross Stitch Wildflowers and Grasses, designs inspired by beauty and simplicity. There are over 30 stunning motifs to choose from, so whether you admire the lily of the valley or the violet, or prefer to stitch the Japanese silverleaf, there is sure to be a project that will catch your eye. After a gallery of beautifully photographed embroideries, a cross stitch overview is provided outlining the tools, materials and techniques needed for completing these charming samplers. This is followed by a clear, full-page chart for each design. Once your floral sampler is finished, frame it and hang it for a beautiful addition to any room, or use the designs to add pretty motifs to your linens, clothing and accessories.
Today I am interviewing contemporary textile artist Valeria Faundez who’s embroidery canvases are microwave food trays, domestic plastic bottles and kitchen utensils. Her still life exhibitions elevate everyday objects from mass consumerism to a sculptural platform, challenging traditional concepts of what is ‘ART’? Let us explore her beautiful collection of traditional embroidery and stitch set against a backdrop of disposable product.
