Page 63 - The Digital Cloth Issue 3

I am a Cheshire based I eventually purchased a sewing
artist who specialises in machine having been inspired
mixed media, textile-based by a book on fusing fabrics.
pieces. I take my This technique involves taking
inspiration from a variety a piece of felt and completely
of sources and I am covering it with small pieces
particularly interested in of coloured fabric,
the way in which ancient particularly organza and

societies created a series chiffon. The whole piece of
of visual symbols to fabric is then covered with
represent the things which a piece of netting. The next
were important to them. stage is to use a soldering
I investigate myth and iron to fuse the fabrics
legend and draw parallels together, then I use a
between societies, showing sewing machine to cover the
that although many people whole piece with stitches which
have different beliefs, we creates a strong but very
are all united by visual
iconography.

I use a wide range of
materials in my work
including felt, fabric,
threads, beads, metal,
acetate, Angelina fibres,
wire, hose pipe, pipe
cleaners, plastics,
jewellery, wood, car

spray, paint, padding,
metal mesh, felt pens,
paper and funky foam.

As well as more
traditional equipment I
use various other items
such as a sewing machine,
jigsaw, glue gun,
soldering gun, iron,
photocopier and hot air
gun.

I initially produced
pieces on A1 paper.
Further experimentation
led to wooden structures
which started to become
more three dimensional.