Serena - Working in 3D

Serena

While working in any textile format is always intreguing, creating specifically something to be three dimensional was a daunting task. My MO is to never worry about" the back" as I usually cover my quilted work with a "false" back. This challenge I had first to think in 3D. Often I start with fabric and let it get me direction.

This project challenged me as most do, we didn't have a theme other than work in 3 D. So, I had to create even more of a plan than what I normally do! 3D meant to me every seam, every edge had to be pleasing and part of the composition. My compositon had to tell the complete story. And this gave me the opportunity to expand my materials.

Squid or Helmet-

My first idea was that I wanted to work with current quilted fabric, a couple of orphans discarded from former projects.

Squid or helmet Not a chinese lantern

I spent a weekend shaping pieces into what I wanted to be a chinese lantern. What I made was something between a deep sea diving helmet and a squid. Not at all what i was aiming for. That project hanging sadly in a corner of the studio, it might surface again, but not for awhile.

Version Two Serena

a piece of orphaned fabric became the altar for my mermaid

Next attempt, still working with orphaned fabrics, I decided to do something - a shape- I was familiar with - a spirit doll I love working on friendly wool felt dolls to keep me company in the studio. This doll would be made of various fabrics not felt, more challenges. Especially to stuff her and give her the ability to SIT!

Serena is my current spirit doll. I live on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and my spirit is to be a mermaid. Easpecially as I age, I never feel as free as when I am in the water.

Collecting Materials

Serena was made from a cast off pieced fabric I intended to use for some other project. And other peices I have been collecting for ocean themed fabrics I used a piece of sequined teal blue fabric for the tail, dyed blue fiber locs for hair and an odd piece of lace trim to create a throne.

orphan piece in the scrap pile

Making Waves

What I love about our challenges/themes is the opportunity to try something different I could be a technique, or a material I have not used before or often. Here I show the textile create for waves

making waves!

I used every scrap of shiny fabric I owned, layered it between two pices of tulle and stitched it together Once completed I added eyelash trim to get the feel of the spray of the ocean. I added a fabric stiffener, but in the end I just rolled the strips of fabric and stitched into place

I also added lots of hand beading and even some real shells to the compostion. Serena is sitting next to a large conch shell.

Serena resting near the shore on her throne

I had many challenges getting Serena to be how I wanted her to be. The hair was a great challenge, it is hand sewn into place, hand beaded with threads that appear to be seaweed in her hair.

The name Serena, is an adaption of Siren, which is another term used to descirbe mermaids.

What would I do different? Maybe give her a different color top, but actually I like the contrast.

What did I learn, I don't love 3D, but Serena will be a great addition to my mermaid collection.

Video of Serena on her Throne- listen to the ocean sounds as your view!