Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Embellisher Experiment #4, Finished

My sister, when asked for her preference, said she wanted a nice neat binding on this piece. Cleaning up the edges sure turned this experiment into a "quilt".
This squaring things up changed the whole idiom to me, the compositional issues, everything. Plus, it has been awhile since I sewed on a little binding!

I added some stitching around the central elements to define them a little better...also filled in my "lace" with some more ribbonwork, too.

Here is is finished. It measures 15" X 15".
If I were to do this again, I would try to integrate the central square with it's frame better. To me the one just sits atop the other, and the techniques used on each--machine applique and felting--seem separate too. Or maybe the proportion of the center to the frame isn't quite right. I hope Mary will like it anyway....as for me, I definitely see this as a rough go at the concept, one that could be improved.
And I have to say, I liked the ragged edges better....

10 comments :

CameoRoze (Margaret) said...

:: sigh ::
I love this one, Allie. This is one I'd love to run my (clean) fingers over, just to feel the textures.

Cameo @-->-->---

Kay said...

The colors in this are beautiful, and I agree that the texture of that felted silk must be scrumptious. If you had time to do more stitching in the frame area, would you feel that the two were better integrated? Your sister is bound to like it--you're the critic in this instance!

Vicki W said...

I see your point but I like the effect of it looking like it sits on the background. With the binding it looks like a framed and matted piece of art. a nice effect I think. I love the loopy edge treatment on the hankie. It gives it ven mroe of the appearance of laying on the background. If she doesn't like it I would happily hang it in my house and smile at it every day!

DebbyMc said...

I liked the ragged edges, too, but this piece is so very beautiful! I love what you are doing with these g.flower garden pieces...

Unknown said...

i love it!! i have a few of your unfinished, borderless pieces that i've snatched from folded up obscurity so i like the finished edge. the colors are scruptious seester

Susan said...

It's always interesting to hear your own perspective on your work. The purples here seem darker than in the post a couple of days ago. I like it both raggedy and bound, but would probably have chosen binding for myself.

I don't see it as sitting on top of the purple - it seems to me that the purple in the center part is pulled out of that center by the border part. To me, it seems all of a piece. Perhaps you could use some of the colors from the center out in the frame - some curvy lines, perhaps?

Maybe if you don't look at it for a few days, it will seem more finished. =) It's beautiful, anyway.

atet said...

Hmmn, I see what you mean about the center and background pieces -- though I have to admit to liking this one. I'm really enjoying seeing your embellisher experiments. I also have to agree that I liked the ragged edges as well -- but then, part of what's fascinating me about the embellisher is the use of the ragged edges :0).

Bethel of Bethania said...

Allie this has turned out so lovely - being new at these things I'm afraid I don't see the probs you feel are there but like I always say 'sleep on it' and you will work out what it might or might not need - works everytime. I liked the raggy edges too but it's your sister's choice and it has turned out great. If she doesn't like it I'd like to put my hand up for it too ... looks like you might get heaps of takers ... ha ha Love that your sharing your creative journey ... tar ... OOroo

Granny Fran said...

Those silks are so luscious and I like the look of the crazy quilted frame. I prefer the ragged edges also but it is probably easier to display with the bound edges. I have a lot of old hankies from Mom and Granny that I need to do something with. I've even been researching embellishers online, getting hooked.

Cat said...

I like the contrast of the flowers against the purple velvets.

This is just gorgeous!