Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Red Thread Journal Dress

So would you like to see what you can do with 15000 yards of red thread and a few yards of fabric ?

Untitled

Well you can make a life sized art dress of course!
The stitching of this dress has truly turned into a journey for me. What started out to be a quick dress with a small about of writing on it tuned into a epic 5 days of sewing.... I lost count after my 10th bobbin change and gave way to 
the process. 


red thread poetry dress

there were a few moments when I truly thought that I had gone mad however that did not keep me from sewing. (around the third day of stitching I starting to call the dress my insanity project)

red thread poetry dress

my creative process has changed as my hand eye coordination is drastically different now due to my eye condition. I have good sight days and bad sight days, I have started to wright down my ideas on the days that its hard for me to see and this has helped me to stay connected to my art however its still very challenging for me to have this limitation. Sewing this dress forced me to break threw many of the difficulties I have developed. 


slideshow/movie of dress



Music is the water by feist

I drafted the pattern for this dress then with free motion stitching I filled the back entirely with poems and even some hidden journaling (I did this by sewing on the reverse side of the dress) I even add a poem that is very dear to me inside the pockets of the dress.(again this is a hidden feature of the dress)
The photos show the progression on the dress from start to completion with video footage in the middle showcasing some of the detailed writing on the dress.


red thread poetry dress

This is a slide show of photos of the dress ( the images can be viewed in full size if you click on them and you will be taken to the photo set)







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31 comments:

linda esterley said...

wowa!

Unknown said...

Wow. What a wonderful piece!

l.wilks11 said...

Such an emotional journey using your creative skills with the sewing machine. Beautiful just beautiful.....xx

Tina Schiefer said...

Very much a passionate piece...can't wait to see it in person next week...

Penny said...

Marvelous, marvelous, marvelous! A thread journey of love for sure.

sugar Creek said...

As a quilter myself I can imagine the work you did on this piece! Just breath taking!

Michelle Legler said...

I absolutely LOVE IT Ruth!!!
Fabulous job!!
xoxo!
Michelle

Jane LaFazio said...

oh Ruth, this is so beautiful and so meaningful...thank you for making it and being who you are!

ShabbyChicShaz said...

Truely amazing work, outstandingly beautiful and heartfelt x

Sandy said...

Stunning! Amazing! Awe inspiring! This is such a personal piece of art and labor of love, congrats on its completion.

Suz said...

That is an amazing piece. I am so sorry about your sight problems!
Fondly,
Suz

Renee Troy said...

Ruth, I was so moved by the video and the music playing that I had to watch again.
Madness indeed...I call it the genius within. The energy that needs to be expressed and you did just that. Awesome!
Anywhere I go artistically to get inspired and I see your work, I know it's you. Your brilliance shines thru. You are unique and a oneness, original of artistic passion. I am thrilled to be inspired by you.

Please let me know who the artist is that was behind the music. I need to know.
Renee
www.reneetroyartonline.com
Thants

Angie: said...

Wow! it's so beautiful and so special! Thank you for sharing it with us! xx

Catharina Maria said...

That is great Ruth and a lot of work I think !
Love ♥RINI♥

pamelahuntington said...

Powerful Piece.. Ruth.. I love it!
xoxo

Things Hand Made said...

Hi, your work is beautiful. I have just finished a piece of hand embroidery that uses red thread on a dress. It is a personal work about motherhood. I would love to know what you think.

Velma Bolyard said...

stunning.

mp said...

La robe & le blog sont juste beaux. Quel travail ! Bravo !

cathy @ ma vie trouvee said...

How beautiful - all of your work is so amazing and inspiring. I recently read your article in Somerset sew and it made me so sad to think you that you lost your creativity. I was happy to read that you did get it back. I have been reading your blog for so long and follow your art and articles in the mags...and am always in awe at your gorgeous work. Thank you Ruth for sharing it and inspiring so many of us out here!

Lisa Van Pelt said...

This is stunning! Bravo!

Lorie said...

I hope you will display this in your booth at Art Unraveled, I would LOVE to see it, always better than photos. It looks fantastic! And I wish you best of luck and health with your vision xo

Jan said...

Ruth, I hadn't heard about your eye condition -- can you share what it is? I was disagnosed with macular degeneration about 10 years ago (49 yrs old) and my eye/hand coordination was off terribly!

Karoda said...

This freaking blows my mind and I wish I had did this first!!!! Truly! Writing on fabric is absolutely my most enjoyable and favorite design element! Just stunning and it will stay with me! Peace and blessings in all you do!

Saskia said...

moving

Saskia said...

evocative

Wabbit said...

So cool and interesting. This could be a very cool multi-day workshop. just fewer or larger words.

Trudy said...

Ruth, your dress is stunning. Nice to find your blog tonight as I sit hear listening to the wind. Remember we swapped art? A while ago now ... !!

Zue said...

Ruth, I have just been watching your slideshow of the dress and I am captivated not only by your AMAZing art but also by the singer...could you please tell me who she is!?
Have a fabulous week:)
xx
Sue at
sadesigns@live.co.uk

Ingrid Browning said...

There are so many things I love about this dress, like the way it mixes up what's public and what's private in the very best way. I wrote more about what I like about the dress on my blog:
http://ingridbrowning.com/?p=1547
Thanks for sharing this!

Tribalis said...

Just Beautiful!!!!!!!!

bea said...

this is very amazing beautifull, sad in a way , encouraging the other way.. really emotional. hat off for this wonderful dress