Steamroller. Yup. Steamroller. That's what we will use to print fabric in October. The next five weeks will find me at the Five in One Social Club workshop carving a 40" x 96" woodcut that we will ink and roll over. With a steamroller. Forty by ninety-six, big enough to be used as a banner, a shroud or a toga. Or maybe a quilt. Or two.
I've always wanted to design large prints, but never had access to large presses. This will be the first time I will carve a woodcut. It's a comfort zone challenge. There's no telling how much joy or regret I will feel during this process. Start thinking big. Yup. Big. No little stitch details necessary. (Oh...OK...maybe after I get the fabric printed I could add little stitch details...watch this space).
And of course it will be fabric. My medium of choice. Cotton, stretched delicately over an inked board, coming alive with pressure. Lots of pressure, watch your fingers.
Not sure what I will name this piece. All I know right now is that I'll be carving out all of the white areas. Final print size: 40 x 96.
So, naturally, I think about cutting it up and stitching swathes of yardage.
I could add batting and stitching to the print but if I cut it up I have some very interesting pieces of black and white fabric.
And then the decision making begins. Oh my!
It's probably a good thing that my sewing machine is in the shop for maintenance. Not sure how much distraction I need during this challenge.
Think big. Work big. Oh my.
As Jefferson Airplane says in their classic song, White Rabbit:
Remember what the dormouse said
Feed your head, feed your head