3 Credit Project

Besides doing extra artist research throughout the semester, I completed an additional project to earn an extra credit for this class.  My project focussed on the relationship between digital embroidery and hand embroidery.  First, I used a digital embroidery machine to make the original design.  I chose to only use designs that are inherently available on the machine.  Digital embroidery gives you the option to create your own designs on Illustrator and then upload them to the machine, but I wanted to focus on the machine as much as possible during this step and not bring my own creative process into it.  I used two flower designs that are available in the machine's factory settings.  I decided to use warm tones of thread in the pink and red family.  I used the same flower design multiple times, but changed the size and placement.  The machine was interesting to use and its speed was incredible.

This is a time-lapse video

Once I was done using the digital embroidery machine, I was left with a rather plain looking hoop, so I began to to imagine how I would add hand embroidery to the project.  

I accidentally cut the fabric and had to superglue it together, therefore there is a glue stain towards the top 

I wanted to distinguish the digital and hand embroidery as much as possible so I decided to use bright green threads of different hues.  To contrast the organic images of the flowers, I chose to create geometric shapes with my hand embroidery.  I also think it is slightly ironic that the machine was used for the organic aspects of the work and my hands were used for the more manufactured features.