makingICON

Making the Icon for

"Icon and Orbs on the Vine"

The following images will take you through the process of how the central element of this piece was created. I call this shape an "ICON" and commonly use it as a fused element, but in this piece I wanted to explore its dimensional possibilities.

1. I fused the painted fabric (front & back) to two layers of Peltex, then cut the needed shape. The narrow "wings" of the icon are the remaining negative shapes .

2. The main shape after the edges were finished with a satin stitch.

3. I manipulated it in half and then pressed it with a hot steam iron in order to keep the crease.

4. I inserted the copper wire and will sew it down, creating a spine. this will allow me to attach it to the flat area of the main body of the piece.

5. Under the foot, I straight stitch the wire into the spine.

6. Another view, as I sew over the seam again to reinforce it.

7. Successfully stitched spine

8. I had to give it a bit of pressure in order to make the icon appear to "blossom" or "soar". It is very stiff, so I know that it will retain the shape well.

9. Back view

10. Front view.

11. After careful positioning on the main piece, I used fabric glue on one side of the icon to attach it to the main body of the work and weighed it down with whatever I had within reach.

12. Closer look at how the icon is weighted down. When the glue is dry, I will sew it down by hand.

13. I will go through the same process with the wings of the icon.

14. This is the piece on the floor of my work area as I weigh down the wings after gluing. These will also have to be sewn down by hand.

15. The completed icon element, with additional elements, all sewn down by hand.