I think I am done with this piece. Problem is I am not sure what side is up. While I was working on it I just let the stitch tell me where to go. It is a drop cloth that I stitched together to create a surface to respond to. I turned it East, then West, then North and South. Each time responding to what I had stitched in the former session. The composition was secondary but it did seem to hold together when I took a breath to look at it.
Zooming in
Each session brought new textures. The fabric is billowy and unstable. It was difficult to tame until I let it have its way with me—letting the billow billow. I think it might be an old poplin sheet. I used a wool batting and a cotton muslin backing to keep it light. The whole piece is 35” x 37” so it was easily finished in a couple of weeks. After free-motion stitching I added a tight textural filling with hand stitching to contrast with the open negatives spaces left unstitched.
When to call it done?
I might be done with the stitching part of this piece. Just not sure which end is up. Each configuration could be the right one. Here are the four for your consideration.
Number One. This one has a large face in it.
Number Two. This one looks like a vehicle of some sort with wacky wheels.
Number Three. Here’s a happy guy in the middle with his arm upraised.
Number Four. This one turns those two wacky wheels into two wacky heads.
Where to go next?
Another piece of fabric, some thread and a little batting.
Remember: It’s Process not Product.