M from Metallic in textile

Inspiration: Upcycle, making something new from a piece that exists. In this series six art-quilts are made from one old damask tablecloth.

This time it was more difficult to find something that matches the M. But as I like to work with metallics in textile, metallic threads, metal foils, fabric with metal threads woven in it, metallic textile paints and even real metals, it becomes Metallic in textile.

And because I make a series of six, this is the fifth piece, it has to be in line with the rest. So the circles come back, and the background matches with the surrounding pieces. Different techniques are used to create the metal look. Mylar is glued on tyvek, shrunk and treated with gesso and fabric paint. Volume fleece is painted and metal foil is ironed on it. Hot spots are ironed on organza silk, followed by metal foil. Puff paint and stencil, painted with metallic textile paint. Even real tin is sewed on it. On the left side there is linen, woven in with metallic threads and on the right is a piece of silk with iron woven in it.

My thoughts by this piece are still busy with all the effects of the pandemic in the world. For instance the news, what is true and what is fake, these are questions that are more frequently asked by now. That is what is happening in this piece, the question, is it real metal, or is it fake and just looks like metal…

Materials: Damask tablecloth – iron and tea for dyeing –  silk – linen/steel fabric – Mylar – Tyvek – volume fleece – metal foils – puff paint – tin – different kinds of Sulky threads – 20/80 batting – cotton backside

Techniques: machine stitching

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