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Fish Flower Bird - Textile Art Flags

Take a carved wood block, print , sew, cut and stitch.... this is what I did to create some simple but arty flags.  The wood blocks were carved by a local print maker, Bob Seal, for use in works for the annual exhibition of the Newcastle Creative Embroiders and Textiles Artists.  You can see my other work here, in a previous post.  I had three prints left so I made these decorative  flags.


The technique is my version of reverse applique. Firstly, I printed onto a cotton fabric and then appliqued it on to the background. Then, I layered other fabrics underneath and cut out shapes.  Usually, in reverse applique, the edges are neatly turned under and stitched by hand, or if raw edges are left, they are embroidered to ensure that no fraying occurs. I did a blanket stitch around the outside edges , but on all the other edges, because I used a strip of fusible adhesive on the edges, I just machine stitched to secure. In fact, I did a lot of free machine stitching.

Fabric printed with the wood block... 



The background fabric is a commercial batik dyed cotton, and on the back of the flags I have used a Laurel Burch print from my stash . I was keeping this fabric for a special project, but then what's a special project if it's not the one you're currently working on.
I really enjoyed working with so much colour and like the way they brighten a wall. These flags are currently travelling around Australia as part of the NCEATA ( Newcastle Creative Embroiderers and Textile Artists) Travelling Suitcase Exhibition 2018.
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Comments

  1. Patricia CarneyFebruary 20, 2018 at 5:30 AM

    Hello! I stumbled upon your blog and am completely in LOVE with your artwork! WOW! I am so inspired by what I have seen at only a quick glance: the Chinese New Year cards, recipe for orange cake, the heart tag, and now completely blown away by your GORGEOUS textile flags! So glad I found you! Looking forward to following your future posts. Thank you for sharing your beautiful work!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wilma Simmons (Empress Wu Designs)February 20, 2018 at 11:00 AM

    Thank you, Patricia, for your very positive encouragement and for taking the time to make the comment. I really appreciate it. As I don;t have everything on my blog, you can also see my work https://www.facebook.com/Empress.Wu.Designs/

    ReplyDelete

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