crested bird (clothing tags)
I've been thinking a lot about unexpected fabric. You know, like random bits of fabric that come into our lives that we may not even think of as fabric. Flour sacks are an obvious favorite, but what else. What about the tags in clothes, the ones with the size and the brand and the washing instructions? Okay, let's see what can be done with those.
After rifling through my dresser and cutting about 50 tags out of all kinds of clothes and bras (now everyone will know I'm a 36B!) I made these three pieces of fabric. They were first fused to a piece of cotton muslin with double-sided fusible web and then "quilted" on the machine using the walking foot.
Now that I have no instructions on how to properly wash any of my garments (good thing I didn't ever follow those instructions anyway) and it has been reaffirmed that I do shop at the Gap too much, I decided to cut it all up and make some bird feathers.
Boy, I think I'm a freak sometimes.
There is a little interview with me at Underspray if you're interested in knowing more about how I work and what inspires me and the way I feel when people talk to me while brushing their teeth.
I'm taking a bit of a bird break now. We'll see what else emerges.
That's very clever, and really quite beautiful.
Posted by: Megan | May 17, 2007 at 04:06 PM
What a fabulous idea! It looks great!
Posted by: Aja | May 17, 2007 at 04:09 PM
How cool is that! What a great idea! Love it! And the bird looks fantastic.
Posted by: Maritza | May 17, 2007 at 04:31 PM
That's a great idea! It gives another layer of interest to the feathers and wings! I've recently read about a quilt made out of clothing tags, but I can't find it by googling, too bad.
Posted by: Amanda | May 17, 2007 at 04:53 PM
wonderful work abby. so imaginative.
Posted by: stephanie s | May 17, 2007 at 05:01 PM
I recently stumbled on your work at Etsy, and I love it. This is amazing. I love how you reuse old materials. It makes your work so much more intriguing than if it were made of storebought fabric.
Posted by: Cate | May 17, 2007 at 06:27 PM
Your work boggles my mind. What an amazingly creative approach, but even better - what a meticulous execution. Bravo!
Posted by: sulu-design | May 17, 2007 at 07:42 PM
Wowsers! Feathers cut from fabric made of labels? That is so wonderful that I had to de-lurk to complement you - it's just a brilliant idea. (Then again, so many of your ideas are quite brill.)
Posted by: Sami | May 17, 2007 at 07:51 PM
Freakin' GENIUS is what you are.
Honey, you are so NOW.
Posted by: shula | May 18, 2007 at 01:23 AM
You are a little bit of a freak. This is why we like you. :)
Posted by: Kristin | May 18, 2007 at 01:36 AM
Fantastic ! I can't think of anything else to say. It just works !!!
Posted by: Jodie | May 18, 2007 at 04:08 AM
love those wings!
I have often wanted to do "something" with tags also....sometimes the tags are very pretty and I want to cut them out and make something -
Posted by: Sue | May 18, 2007 at 07:18 AM
Wonderful!
I save all of my selvages and make things with them (even going so far as dying the plain white ones), so I don't think it's odd at all!
Posted by: Tiffany Harvey | May 18, 2007 at 08:32 AM
Ok, thats just too darn cool. What an idea! And it looks good too(reading it and scrolling down I was a little nervous but it looks so killer)
Posted by: kelly | May 18, 2007 at 09:42 AM
Fabulously quirky!
Love it!
Posted by: OMSH | May 18, 2007 at 09:59 AM
I really like this blue one :)
xx
Posted by: florence | May 18, 2007 at 10:12 AM
I think you're making some of the most interesting, original and inventive soft sculpture out there. Love your attention to details, and the reuse of fabrics. Wonderful work. Very inspiring! I really enjoy reading your blog posts.
Posted by: Holly | May 18, 2007 at 12:51 PM
what amazing plumage you've created!
i SO love watching the evolution of your birds.
i can't help but think galapagos and darwin of a crafty variety right about now...
Posted by: sarah | May 18, 2007 at 01:34 PM
Abby, that may be kind of a freaky thing to do, but it's completely brilliant. Those feathers are beautiful!
Posted by: Jen | May 18, 2007 at 02:13 PM
Oh my! That is so over-the-top brilliant I can't even say!
Posted by: Cassi | May 18, 2007 at 02:34 PM
absolutely unbelievably amazing! What a gorgeous piece. I really love everything you're doing these days, it feels like very inspired work.
Posted by: Blair | May 20, 2007 at 08:14 PM
If by "freak" you mean "freakin' awesome," then yes.
Posted by: Melissa | May 20, 2007 at 10:29 PM
really great idea and looks very interesting. the back shot is amazing. super original and creative
Posted by: Nancy | May 21, 2007 at 08:53 AM
I really love the tag fabric as feathers.
Posted by: Mama Urchin | May 21, 2007 at 11:32 AM
Wow!! How cool is this bird? Great execution... it actually looks alive! It's a very hip bird!
Posted by: Concha | May 21, 2007 at 02:44 PM