Archive for August, 2011
10,000 Staples & a Sprained Wrist
This is My B2 Spirit Jacket. I loved doing this crazy project….I used over 10,000 staples in making it….Yes…I actually went crazy stapling & sprained my wrist. I wanna tell you a whole bunch about it…the concept…the research and the final making….first check out some images.
This is my friend Anna Lehman wearing my Jacket…..she is an amazing Textile Artist herself….a rare combination of talent & looks.
The theme was “Militaria” and I was looking at 2nd World War Bomber planes and the women Pilots flying them caught my eye. It was a very interesting juxtaposition of Power vs. Delicacy, Hard vs. Soft, Transparent vs. Structured. So, I chose to work with Glass Nylon fabric for it’s delicacy and strength. I came up with the idea of using Staple pins in an attempt to create the feeling of hard metal zipping through the softness of clouds. To achieve this look, I trapped wool fleece between two layers of Glass Nylon fabric and fused them. Then I hand stitched the Radar pathways on it with Audio Tape. The result of my experiments with the Staple pins and Audio Tape was this series of “B2 Spirit” Jacket and Hand bags.
Although the theme was Militaria, The whole project became more about defiance and Male Dominance for me……my past influences keep comin back…
A prototype in paper…
The Stealth Bomber “B2 Spirit” ….I was able to figure out the pattern for the actual piece from my paper prototype….I will include some pages from my sketch book too.
Front close up…
Back view of the Jacket…note the ease on the elbows & the neck…..I trapped a bunch of staple pins between the two layers of Glass Nylon on the neck…check out the Radar Pathways hand stitched with Audio tape….
Staple pins trapped at neck…. U can see my label in reverse too.
Anna & me had a great time shooting it….( Anna is amazing )
Back detail…
Close up of Staples and Hand stitch….the smooth side of the staples is on the inside of hood…that made it pretty good to wear.
Cuff detail…
The Stapled Hand Bag….I trapped a bunch of Staple pins between the layers of sheer fabric at the bottom….they move as you move…..the bag looks absolutely stunning…This series was selected for ” Spring One of a kind Show 2010″ in Toronto recently.
Another Hand Bag…..the pieces are even more beautiful than the images….u can buy these limited edition bags on my site soon….
Close up shot… I used Zippers for the handles of the Bags…turned out pretty neat…
Some more ideas…
there’s so many more….but I guess that’s enough…some pics from the Sheridan Gallery show…
It looked so majestic….and every one wanted the bags….
That beautiful woman is Rachel MacHenry….Studio Head Textiles Sheridan College and Dr.Jeff Zabudsky, President Sheridan College.
a lovely note from Rachel…..
…..that’s not a hat Chris…it’s my bag in making….
This is my friend Dudley Mack’s handwriting. He is a very talented Furniture Artist/Designer and has done many shows including Interior Design show in Toronto. I needed a very masculine handwriting for writing the recipe on my Apron…I discarded mine as my writing is very feminine (…..that’s but natural). So I requested him to write one for me. This Apron is so popular….in fact it sold for $100 at Ontario Crafts Council Auction. The bidding started at $35 (half of the actual retail). I have already run out of the original Bluish Grey Cotton Slub fabric, I’m printing a new batch in Stone and Ecru soon. This is one of my favourite fun pieces.
My apron at Ontario Crafts Council Auction….Sorry for the bad pic….I forgot my camera. My husband clicked this with his mobile phone.
Another close up….It has grommets and leather ties….Wash care ???? Yeah, I didn’t forget that….
