Diptych Commission

(Above:  Me with the finished diptych commission. Click on any image to enlarge.)

Recently I was honored to accept a commission for a diptych.  These two pieces will flank one of my Large In Box pieces, something purchased by the client years and years ago.  The Large In Box is hanging as a horizontal above a sofa.  The dimensions are 21" H x 33" L.  The client really liked a recent blog post in which I shared six Lancet Windows.  She thought that two, skinny pieces would hang nicely beside her Large In Box ... but the Lancet Windows are 31" x 11".  To look good, hers would need to be only 21" x 11". 

(Above:  Composite image of the diptych.)

We corresponded.  I drew up some designs.  She selected one and I went to work! Below are roughly half the images I snapped in order to create a PDF showing all the steps in making this diptycg.

 

(Above:  The sketch on graph paper along with a paper pattern and a print of the Large In Box.)

(Above:  The foundation layer of polyester stretch velvet fused onto recycled, black industrial felt.)

(Above:  Additional shapes of polyester stretch velvet fused to the foundation layer.)

(Above:  Strips of very sheer chiffon scarves fused over the diptych.)

(Above:  Free-motion machine stitching using 100% black cotton thread.  The important stitching is actually the lines/bridges that link the various shapes.  These lines of cotton cross over the thinnest layer of the diptych ... the space between the shapes where it is just the black, industrial felt.)

(Above:  Using the smaller of two soldering irons to melt holes through the layers of polyester stretch velvet.)

(Above:  The reverse side of one of the diptychs after using an industrial heat gun to melt away the space between the polyester stretch velvet shapes ... the space that is only the industrial felt. The cotton stitched "bridges" do not melt. They hold the shapes together.  Basic principle:  Synthetics melt; naturals don't melt.)

(Above:  My shadow as I returned to the house from the garage.  I melt my work in the garage while wearing a ventilating mask to protect my lungs from the fumes of melting polyester.)

(Above:  The Diptych!  Each side measures 21" x 11".)