Beginning of Wing Cloth

Going backwards a bit because I'd like to document the Wing Cloth. Although I've been reluctant to take on-line classes, I decided to sign up for Jude Hill's Spirit Cloth Diaries because a) it's not really a class but rather a visit to her creative world, b) I like her thoughtful/analytical approach by which she peels back layers to examine her methods, inspirations and art, c) I knew people would participate in the forum, d) I wanted to be able to talk to people with similar interests and e) I wanted to push myself in some new directions, learn, reflect.
         So I adopted her wing theme ("filter") just because I already have enough of my own, and decided to use her methods of making "cloth".  Found a soft blue fabric (flea market used skirt) in my stash with the thought of working rather small (hard for me).
         I machine sewed straight seams in the fabric to make a shadowy 9-patch with an X from corner to corner, creating a grid or structure to work on. Then I hand basted this to an old piece of white cotton for backing and hand stitched down the seams (should have stitched the seams first). Nice pucker effect.
 The round edge of the skirt left room for a pinstripe fabric to fill the corner. I tried using a navy blue to sew the seams, but it shows very little. The central square contains the possibility of wings made from triangles. Just a basic structure.

I'm not sure I'll ever do so much hand work at the beginning again. Much of it is not particularly visible and will be covered up. However, testing out the techniques expands the possibilities of construction. Methods to be filed away and used later if desired.

Note to myself: Looking back at the pictures, I realize how much that blue fabric speaks to me. Could use what's left of it for another piece in blues, maybe with a labyrinthian needleturn appliqué or stitch and appliqué into it like a coloring book.