Quilling is a technique for taking paper strips and winding them in a circular motion to form a coil. The coil(s) are transformed into mini objects. Anything you can think of can be created with shaping, pinching, separating these coils.
This reminded me of appliqué, beading, those kinds of techniques on fabric, but also inspired the thought of how I could translate the technique of the circular coiling of paper to creating circular coils of fabric. Just imagine hundreds, thousands of coiled and shaped pieces of fabric creating a pattern or designed texture atop a garment.
How would this work, what type of fabric would lend well to this design, what type of foundation might I need, can I combine colors and textures, what if I frayed the edges of just some of the fabric strips, what happens if I string beads on portions of the coil and not others? All these questions and more… are just the beginning of the design process. Taking something that inspires me and translating it in a way to create it in fabric, so that I can communicate the idea through a garment to those who view the finished piece.
This is food for thought, so if you get inspired to try it, send me your photos! I’d love to see what you design and create! Bob