Harlequin Fabric

This fabric project was completed using thirteen Resene colours as follows; Resene Jacksons Purple, Resene Galliano, Resene Avant Garde, Resene Black, Resene Solitaire, Resene Neva, Resene Arapawa, Resene Roadster, Resene Daredevil, Resene Mandy, Resene Bullion, Resene Eastern Blue and Resene Belladonna.

Approximately 200 trapeziums measuring eight by seven centimetres were designed in three recurring sequences on paper then painted onto standard cream calico fabric using an artist’s brush. A series of metallic and coloured braids were machine sewn dividing each coloured trapezium from the other. The entire process to completion took about 25 hours spread over several weeks.

The project was inspired by the harlequin pattern which is derived from a character in a traditional pantomime wearing diamond shaped pattern which is French in origin. I was inspired also by the 2010 Resene News which included a wonderful project using recycled Resene paint to produce an innovative marbled furniture upholstery. As a child my parents allowed me to paint some aspects of domestic interior and my father took me to art classes. So I have always had an interest in creating individual and original interiors.