Stitched Fabric Collage

 Just as a painter works colors from their palette, I choose and arrange fabric pieces. Various methods of collage and sewing unite these separate bits into richly detailed and textured artwork.

Example of Stitch Detail

Stitch

I love the technical and expressive versatility of thread. Stitches, seen and unseen, made by machine or by hand, build strength and character in my work.

Content

My work arises from my own stories. Experiences of things seen and felt come through the process and materials.

Textile

Textiles speak to me like no other creative medium – their designs and colors, even their familiarity, evoke the feelings that I want to convey in my art.

New Work

The Genius of Zachary

A mixed-media tribute to the spirit of

Zachary Harrison Polansky, 1997 – 2023

The Fury of My Heart

original digital painting

printed onto fabric, stitched

"The Fury of My Heart" art quilt by Susan V. Polansky

Follow My Process

Butterfly and Flower

Finished Butterfly and Flower Quilt

“Butterfly and Flower” began with the central flower. I painted it on silk in a class taught by Andrea Brokenshire. This collection of posts details how I created a fitting background for it with paint, collage and stitch.

An Ordinary Day

Finished An Ordinary Day Quilt

The Making of “An Ordinary Day” chronicles progress from initial requirements to final steps. Parameters of size, techniques and deadline were set from the beginning. See how those factors influenced this 30” x 50” fabric collage as I recalled my travel in India.

Skirmish On Insecurity Hill

"Skirmish On Insecurity Hill" art quilt

Take a look at these posts to find out a little about air-brushing on fabric. The original thought was to incorporate the painting into a larger fabric collage quilt, but when that failed, it took on a life of it’s own!