Project Butterfly

[image error]

Several years ago, I made a clothing- and costume-project based on butterflies. It involved making sketches of a peacock butterfly in pencil and aquarelle and analysing its colours.

 

[image error]

[image error]

Having done that, it was time to think of how to present the ‘peacock’ without losing its shape. In my early sketches, I went overboard and used too much fabric in my imagination. They had to be pared down:

[image error]

Considerably.

[image error]

I believe this works better. Next, I turned my specimen around and experimented with the duller colours on the ‘inside’.

[image error]

Afterwards, it was time to go full out and use all those brilliant peacock colours.

[image error]

Personally, this is my favourite, but I never got round to sewing it. I had no idea how to transform it from picture to fabric. Not at that time. If I were to experiment with this project now, I’d probably use silk and silk-painting techniques. Unfortunately, I don’t have funds or time for such a project at present.

My last sketch did make it into a finished costume.

 

[image error]

I made the wings of tulle, the headdress was jersey, with wire inside the satin antennas. The costume itself was made as a jumpsuit, and the wings attached to a waistcoat.

 

© HMH, 1984, 2018

[image error]