Dimensional techniques bring textural interest into what has traditionally been viewed as flat works using the placement of colored and patterned fabrics stitched together by hand or machine (or both) to create essentially graphic surface designs, (traditional quilting). The techniques  I employ tend to use various methods of fabric folding, manipulation, twisting, pleating and insertion of fabric or other elements into seams to create dimensional designs.

      I also often include dimensional hand stitching (embroidery) stitches such as French Knots to pop out on the fabric surface like thick dots of paint. Another technique I use is called Trapunto where a design is stitched and extra filling is stuffed in between the fabric layers to force a raised area on the surface of the work. Dimension can also be achieved using embellishments such as beads or found objects that can be couched (bound to the surface with hand or machine stitching) onto the fabric's surface. If it can be safely attached, it can be used.

      Look closely to see how many techniques you can identify in my artwork. As a painter uses brushwork to accentuate his or her interpretation of the world, I use many techniques to express myself and expand the role fiber can play as an art medium. The more techniques you recognize, the better you will understand the artwork and the artist's vision. (see Glossary for expanded technical details)

Scroll to view Samples below »      (see Contact or My Online Shop for purchasing)

                                                                 

Red and White       12" x 12"
Cotton Fabric, Thread
Techniques used: Dimensional insertion, Free-Motion machine stitching and French Knots

Environmental  Kaleidoscope  Series:

Environmental Kaleidoscope #1     16" x 16"
Cotton mounted on stretcher bars
Technique:: Fabric Insertion, Folding and Manipulation, Machine piecing and stitching

"The "X's", squares, triangles and narrow contrasting lines and borders are fabric elements
(sometimes folded or otherwise manipulated) that have been inserted into the seams to
add texture and interest to the designs."

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Environmental Kaleidoscope #3     14 1/2" x 14 1/8"
Cotton mounted on stretcher bars
Techniques: Fabric Insertion, Machine pieced and stitched

"The brown inner corner accents are fabric inserted into
the seams to add texture and interest to the design."

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Environmental Kaleidoscope #5     14 7/8" x 14 7/8"
Cotton mounted on stretcher bars
Techniques: Fabric insertion, Machine pieced and stitched

"The square puffs, inner narrow border, triangular flaps and inner circular ruffle
are fabric insertions into the seams to add texture and interest to the design."

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Environmental Kaleidoscope #7     19 1/2" x 20 1/8"
Cotton mounted on stretcher bars
Techniques: Fabric insertion, Machine pieced and stitched

"The puffed squares, arrows, center knot and narrow borders are
fabric insertions into the seams to add texture and interest to the design".

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By a Whisker 
Cotton, thread
Techniques: Slashing fabric, Fabric insertion, Free-motion machine stitching

"By a Whisker was an experiment in slashing a fabric rectangle at angles and piecing colored triangles of fabric into those cuts to suggest kitty cat faces, inserting folded fabric sharks teeth into the seams to simulate ears and finally, top-stitching whiskers in heavy thread."    (Privately Owned)

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In the Garden
Cotton, Thread
In the Garden is a small, 6" dimensional piece created for the annual Arts Benicia Mosaic Project.

"'All 140 or more are displayed together as a Gallery showpiece during Benicia's Artists' Open Studios.
This piece has a thread-sketched Praying Mantis crawling along a free-motion, thread-sketched background."
(Privately Owned)

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Napa Valley Spring: Wild Mustard     56" X 56"
Cotton, thread, cotton floss
Techniques: Traditional Piecing, Fabric folding, insertion and knotting, Quilt stitching, French knots

"Napa Valley Spring: Wild Mustard was created for competition in the 2007 "$100,000.00 Quilt Challenge" Magazine's annual competition. It did not win but considering I had not sewn a thing for a number of years prior I was gratified that it made the semi-final round. It was a chance to bring all my dimensional techniques together in one piece. It was also a self-imposed challenge to use (and keep interesting) only two colors, lemon yellow and yellow green to emulate the fields of mustard that grow in the vineyards of the Napa Valley every year. I inserted, puffed, folded, twisted, knotted and stitched the fabric, made hundreds of French knots, inserted fabric strips and knots in many areas (making "x's" and dimensional accents in the design and twisted and stitched folded insertions around the central area) as well as folded, pleated, tucked and stitched dimensional details around the border. The piece grew from an original central triangle (the one with the"x's) in an unpredictable design-as-you-go process out to the finished border." This dimensional quilt was also juried into the Pacific International Quilt Show and Competition in 2007 and received an Honorable Mention at the 2008 Mustard Festival Fine Art Competition in Napa Valley, CA

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Red Hearts #1    15" x 18 ½"       Red Hearts #2    21 ½" x 21 ½"
Materials: Cotton, Thread
Techniques: Traditional piecing, Fabric insertion, Machine quilting

"These Wall Hangings have fabric components that were pieced together prior to insertion and stuffed so they would puff out after the final piecing. Using highly contrasting colors, the puffs resemble hearts against the background. Traditional machine echo quilt stitching accentuates the designs." (Privately owned)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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MicroQuilts: "Small Works"   Pink Puffs    4" x 6"         Gold Pinwheels   5" x 7"         Tiny Star    3" x 4 ½"

Materials: Cotton, Gold lame, Thread
Techniques: Traditional piecing, Fabric insertion, Foundation/paper piecing, Machine stitching

"My experimental "MicroQuilts" use a combination of traditional and non-traditional techniques to create tiny quilts not more than 5" x 7". It is a challenge to work with such small pieces but foundation/paper piecing does help make tiny pointed stars."

 

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