Studio practice

 

Experiment with sewing and sound 

I started this piece half way through the wet floor sign and switched between the two to keep up my interest. Id already created the little warning sign patch thing for the seconded side of the wet floor sign but had already decided I wasn't doing that any more so it was just spare, so I kind of created this thing around that. Id been thinking about somehow introducing sound into these pieces so decided to try it out by using a little dog toy squeaker piece. I used a small square pattern and quite randomly decorated the front. I attached scrap black squares of fabric and a left over piece of duster with machine stitch, then attached the caution logo in the centre. When adding the decoration I wasn't trying to emulate a specific sign, instead just arranging the fabric in a collage style till it was aesthetically pleasing. I completed the front panel on the machine but once finished it was around this time the machine broke. As this was only a small piece I decided to just carry on and finish it in hand stitch, then stuffing it and putting in the squeak before stitching it closed. The hand stitching did mean the seams on this piece are messy but its ok for this as it was just something to test ideas. I think this idea is effective, I like the mixed messaging between the squeaky sound and caution sign, with caution sign reflecting danger and injury but the squeak adds this childish comedic slap stick feel reminiscent of practical jokes like woopy cushions. I like the addition of sound in this project I just need to think about where else it could be beneficial.