Art Made in Nylon

I like to make things out of nylon materials, it all started when my daughter and I owned a “mobile” kite shop in the local beach park and we needed some attention-getting “flags” to draw the public . I had a couple of feather banners from the kite companies, but wanted more “splash”. Being a firm believer in re-purposing items, I found some nylon used car lot flags, used sails for windsurfers,  and scrounged the discount bins in the fabric stores.

      

Later on I started adding the pieces from some damaged wind toy goods and kite sails, soon  I was making my own feather banners. These creations led to some requests for “message” banners for downtown stores after we moved to a location in the Heritage District and put our feathers out in front to draw attention to our store. We were then in popular demand for the “wind powered signs”.

The action of making things artistic from material somehow took hold of me and I stuck with it even after the closing of the store. Folks are still asking for some signage and I am more than happy to oblige, making simple designs and creating graphics to boost the appeal.

The creation of a feather banner is a process, commonly called “applique”, and one which I seem to excel at and certainly enjoy doing. First I draw out a simple sketch to get the “concept” solidified and not just stuck in my head. Then the patterns are drawn out on paper for each element of the design, then patterns are laid on material and the “hot cutting” of each piece is done. Following that the pieces are put in layout to see how each element will fit together.

Then comes the hot tacking of the pieces in groups starting with each element, sometimes in several stages as the “layers” come together to make the design. After each applique’ layer is sewn it is “back cut” to make a single layer and the design becomes visible from both sides. Often the work gets a bit tedious, and eye strain is a real concern, requiring periodic breaks [we aren’t young anymore Ira].

When it all comes together and final assembly is done with pole pockets and hems, tie downs etc. added on they really can be a thing of beauty…… Well, at least to me!!

These are a few of the ones i REALLY had fun with.  for immediate viewing of projects I have made and am currently doing you can  like and follow my Page on Facebook     https://www.facebook.com/nylondesignsbydano