We're All Ears :: February Inspiration :: Patchwork

I have always been fascinated by patterns. Especially if they are colorful. And lately I have been experimenting with making polymer clay "textiles" that I can use in my work. So I started a trolling around for inspiration patchwork in fabric.

patch·work

ˈpaCHˌwərk/

noun

1. needlework in which small pieces of cloth in different designs, colors, or textures are sewn together.

   "a quilt of patchwork"

   • the craft of sewing in this way.

     "specialists in quilting and patchwork"
   • a thing composed of many different elements so as to appear variegated.

     plural noun: patchworks

     "a patchwork of stone walls and green fields"

     synonyms:

     assortment, miscellany, mixture, mélange, medley, blend, mixed bag, mix, collection, selection, assemblage, combination, potpourri, jumble, mishmash, bricolage, ragbag, hodgepodge

I am not handy in any way with a needle (I have been known to duct tape hems) and although I did do some rudimentary sewing when I was about 12-14 (that white circle skirt was the BOMB!), I really have no clue as to what to do with fabric. But I love it! (I also have an addiction to vintage sewing patterns....which I use in my mixed media work as one of my favorite art foundations).

I put together a Pinterest board devoted to Patchwork. Want to see it?  https://www.pinterest.com/tesoritrovati/patchwork/

I am drawn in first by all the colors...and then swoon when I see all the pattern that acts as a sort of painterly effect. I love the raw selvage edges and the miscellaneous threads. It is a medium that can be shaped and stitched beyond the traditional quilt square, which is also beautiful and iconic. I just happen to be mesmerized by the new contemporary artists that I found.

I discovered artists like 

Kit Vincent

Pam Beal

Cindy Grisdela

Gloria Loughman

Linda Beach

Barbara Yates Beasley

and Hilde Morin. 

Each one exquisite in their own right. 

So the theme this month is PATCHWORK...melange....potpourri...mishmash...jumble...hodgepodge...and my favorite...bricolage (I actually identify myself as a bricolage artist!). I am thinking more along the lines of color and pattern. That can be in whatever style or medium that you like, don't feel that you have to go for fabric, although that might be a great challenge within a challenge!

See you and your PATCHWORK earrings right here on February 17th!