Made on Monday

I have a lifelong love of making and especially sewing and fiber arts. I learned how to sew as a child from two very talented grandmothers and one aunt, and later was formally trained in tailoring, pattern design and drafting and clothing construction, but also have designed and made dolls, flags, bags and bowls, theater costumes, wall art, and just about anything else that can be constructed using textiles. My current interests run to quilting, both traditional and improvisational, abstract and mixed media wall art, doll-making, and some clothing construction, and I am a collector, repairer and user of vintage and antique sewing machines. As a recent retiree, I am reveling in the luxury of finally having all the time I need to do what I love.

My Made on Monday series is devoted to exploring ways that the surface of fabrics can be manipulated and altered. I am using two books for inspiration and technical information: Ruth Singer’s Fabric Manipulation: 150 Creative Sewing Techniques, and The Art of Manipulating Fabric by Collette Wolff. I have not yet determined how these pieces will ultimately be used. I will be exploring possibilities in the coming weeks and update my statement when I make a decision about that.

submitted by Sue Kelly