Applique and Reverse Applique

 Following my current research within my theme Gender, I decided to carry on looking at girls stereotyped toys such as My Little Pony and Hello Kitty. I thought it would be a good idea to try Applique to begin with because I haven't done it before and since it is my Final Major Project, I want to push my tests and ideas. To begin my applique test, I chose a picture of My Little Pony and printed it out, I then chose two colours of felt and a background piece of calico to attach it onto. I then cut the fabric and fused webbing pieces onto the wrong side of the back of the material by using a heated dry iron. I then cut out the correct shapes to make it look like a My Little Pony design, once this was done I peeled back the webbing and used the iron again to fuse the pieces onto the calico. This worked well but thought it looked quite plain so I went on the sewing machine and by using a black thread I managed to add detail such as the eyes and the mouth so it looked more aesthetically pleasing. I personally don't like this design because to me it looks quite childish therefore I don't think I want to use this technique again but I am glad I experimented with it.

After doing my Applique test I researched into it a bit more on pinterest and found two amazing artists that create great work from this technique. The names of the Artists are Katie Essam and Rosie James, I loved how they both managed to add texture and detail within their designs that don't look childish at all. I also love the materials that they have used, their work has inspired to maybe try this test again but alternatively use mismatching fabrics like they have to make it more interesting. 

After realising I didn't particularly like my Applique test I thought it would be a good idea to try Reverse Applique. I began again by finding a image online and printing it out, this time it was a picture of Hello Kitty. I again chose two pieces of felt fitting the colours on the image and a white piece of cotton layered on top. I also left the picture on top of that and sewed on top of them all following the outline of the image with a black thread that was set to do zig zags. Once this was done I ripped off all the paper and then the appropriate bits of fabric to reveal the different materials underneath. I thought that this test was a lot easier than the applique and a lot more effective.

I think that the felts were very strong and easy to work with, I would definitely like to use them again in future tests, I also think the fabrics are all durable because they wouldn't break easy in the way that if you pulled on them they would stay in tact. 

I then researched Reverse Applique artists on pinterest and found two amazing pieces. Both artists are unknown but I put them in my sketchbooks because their work is what I aspire mine to look like.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

I have decided to add a couple of heath and safety points to keep safe whilst experimenting with these tests.

• Iron away from yourself
• Keep hands away from the Iron
• Be aware of anyone around you
• Concentrate on the sewing maching
• keep hair back whilst using the sewing machine