Fabric Art
I've always had a love for skeleton structures and americana folk art. So, it was only a matter of time before I made this hand-sewn, life-sized skeleton pillow. The body and limbs are all made with recycled patchwork quilt fabric. The goal was to make him look warm and inviting, someone you'd want to hang out with on the sofa and have tea with. From planning and creating the pattern to completion it took 2 1/2 weeks.
Atfer creating my first skeley, Skeley-Boy, I wanted to create a variety of sizes, and experimenting with scale. These are my Skeley Ladys, and sit at 16 inches tall and lay at 31 inches. They're perfect to chill with you on your bed or sit at your favorite bookshelf. All parts made with repurposed and secondhand fabrics with beautiful colors and patterns.
My first Skeley-Baby, created with a vintage quilt scrap square, he has this beautiful, cool-toned color scheme and reminds me of the ocean after a storm. He lays down at 13 inches.
This past fall I participated in two Prompt challenges online and these are some of the entries. On the Left, Red Moon was a more detailed take on my moon wall hangings but details like ghost smoke and a cigar, embroidered scars, and a denim fedora. I also created various cloud sculptures using paper mache and the inside stuffing of vintage quilts. The center piece has melancholy tears with various scrap fabrics, and storm has lighting made from a yellow tapestry.
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Back in the summer of 2024, I got in touch with the display coordinator of my local library to create a display in their entrance hall for the month of October. Together we came up with the idea of the traditional Halloween vibe: lots of pumpkins, a few bats, a moon and a full-sized skeleton. All made with recycled quilted antique fabrics, foam, glue and a lot of love. This display was up for the whole month and received much praise from the community.
Always wanted to start a pin series to challenging myself to create my classic series of moons, stars and skeleys and creating them on a smaller scale. All fabric, beads and threads used are second hand, upcycled and add that whimsical touch to these pieces.
In recent years, I've started sewing these soft whimsical sculptures for friends, family and to sell. For these sculptures, I have been collecting a variety of second-hand fabrics from antique stores and family. Repurposing and recycling fabrics to give them new life is a practice that means a lot to me. The most fun I have with this art form is experimenting, creating patterns from scratch, and adding the last personal touches to these creations.