At last - something I can post - a fabric postcard!

At last, I can actually show a bit of artwork that I have had a chance to complete.

I have a number of projects with polymer clay that are 'works in progress', all experiments.

The majority of my time  has been spent working up my allotment and in the garden, and cooking, freezing, and processing the produce - of which is a freezer full!

I put my name down for a swap - the title was a 'Textured Fabric Postcard.'

I received mine at the very beginning of the month - shock - horror!

It looked nothing like the one I had in my mind to make, but I decided to go ahead and do it anyway.

When I think of fabric and textures, I think of all the textures of clothing.

So this Dressmaker's Sampler was made with that intention.

The vintage lady is stamped on a piece of very fine 1930's cream silk that has permanent random vertical 'creases' in to the material - that's the reason why in the photo there are dark looking patches - it's shadows from the lighting - I should have had a spotlight from above!  In 'real life' it is gorgeous fine cream silk -just amazing-and feels so soft and silky and feminine - wish I had more than just a small sample.  It's so fine that I didn't dare sew to on - but used 'poppers' and metal eyelets, and just frayed the edges.

I have included suggestions of different fabrics - each one a different  texture/material  - silk, satin, cotton, woven brocade, embroidered, beaded, velvet, even a peice of dark brown suede.

There are tiny metallic beads on her hat and on a fine peice of netting that turn different shades of blue to purple as the light catches them.  Different colours of vintage embroidery threads, and coloured studs.  Three different tiny wooden beads - accessories for necklaces, and a vintage mother of pearl button too.

There are so many different textures to feel and experience from the backing, a thick woven tweed,  to the coolness of the metals, and beads, to running your finger up and down the row of samples.  

It's taken me two days and about eight hours to make - I wish I wasn't such a slow coach - perhaps I should have painted a piece of fabric instead and stuck on some bits and pieces to give it texture - I think perhaps that was what was intended. 

Oh dear I hope this will do!