Unconventional Materials Anyone?
A couple of months ago, I came across a quilting challenge involving the use of unconventional materials. That piqued my interest, and I began to consider what materials I might like to use. Since I was spending lots of time in a hospital clinic, I gleefully decided to collect everyday objects for a week. I really had fun hunting for these “treasures,” especially when I got the nurses to help me out. They were very creative in what they offered me.
I ended up with a sling, a blood pressure cuff, a patient wrist band, a bio hazard bag, and much more. Weird, huh? What could I possibly do with such strange objects?
Ultimately, I decided that the thrill of the hunt was more intriguing than the actual construction of a new art piece. Still, I think it’s an idea I might revisit one day.
And, of course, I have used some unusual items in my artwork over the years: window screening, tea bags, clear vinyl, and a variety of papers. What’s the oddest thing you’ve ever used?
Ellen Lindner
Ohhhh, what interesting stuff! Maybe they should be put in separate small art pieces then ‘stitched’ together with that black thread they used to use in the old days.
The weirdest thing I used in a quilt for Halloween was one of those rubber catepillars you find in the Dollar Store. Ooops, I also painted a used dryer sheet when I ran short of some homemade silk paper. What was I thinking????? (but it worked)
Right now I have some very old ‘craft’ fabric…you know the one with all of those folksy birdhouses and sunflowers and bees, etc. My challenge for 2012 is to make some art quilts using them….right now I’m thinking just a small piece of them so as not to outdate the piece before I start.
Hey Kathy. Glad to hear you’re having fun with waxky stuff, too.
Good luck with the craft fabrics. They can be challenging.
(That should be “wacky” stuff.)