Blue Cut-Out T-shirt
The whole arrangement of my picture is expressive. The place occupied by the figures or objects, the empty spaces around them, the proportions, everything plays a part.
- Henri Matisse
I have a deep love for Matisse's figurative blue cut-outs. The vivid color, the simple, elegant lines, and as Matisse says, "the place occupied by the figures and the spaces around them". I don't use the word 'perfect' in relationship to artwork, but if I did... this work would be that. So when I first spotted the dress that Stacey Bendet designed for the Alice + Olivia Ready To Wear show in Spring of 2015, I thought I was dreaming. Just imagine if you could WEAR a Matisse? There are dream dresses and then there are D R E A M dresses. The blue cut-out A+O dress has lived on my "when I close my eyes, my closet is filled with all of this" board for the past couple of years but it has also been stashed in the "inspiration for a later date" file in my brain. This week the inspiration came out of my head and into my hands with this simple yet striking Cut-Out T.
I think this process would lend itself beautifully to a wearable self-portrait project! Don't you think?
xx
A.
Materials:
bright blue felt
Aleene's Fabric Fusion adhesive
fabric shears or really sharp scissors
plain white T-shirt
optional (but probably a good idea) needle and thread to reinforce the art appliqué
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Draw your design onto blue felt with a fabric marker or chalk. I used a chalk crayon and it worked really well. When you are satisfied with your lines you will cut them out.
I suggest laying the pieces out on white paper. Then start to glue them piece by piece onto the front of your T-shirt.
I used this Aleene's Fabric Fusion.
The glue is supposed to be permanent but we will see how it holds up in the washer and dryer. It might be a good idea to stitch the outer edge of the felt to make sure it is really secure.
