Michelle Savoy Textile Artist

Kawandi #10 "Blue Vase"
I keep challenging myself to try a new technique for my kawandi. This time I did more of a pattern, and added smaller bits over larger pieces. That's tricky, but I love a challenge! I'm also showing some closeups and some process photos.

For my 7th and 8th Kawandi, I wanted to try the techniqu on another side project I've got going, making 100 small slow-stitch pieces, mostly hearts.

Traditonally, the Siddi people will make their Kawandis from worn out clothing, blankets, whatever is handy. I was gifted two pillow shams that were too big for my needs but perfect as backing AND batting for these! I trimmed off the back pieces that overlap over the pillow, and left the border and made use of that, picking out scraps of fabric that complimented those colors.
The first one, I made with random scraps, and on the second one I wanted to try a "what if", and placed some scraps in areas of the quilt, and as I got to them with my stitching lines, I would tuck under the edges and add them in. So, I have a pattern, but not perfectly perfect, which is part of the charm. I quite love the freedom that this kind of quilting brings!

Kawandi is the Siddi word for "quilt". The Siddi are a people with roots in Africa, that now reside in Karnataka, on the west coast of India. Their Kawandi are made using Sari's and other worn clothing, with pieces attached by hand, as they sit on the ground, working on their laps. I encourage you to do a search for "Siddi Kawandi" and see some examples of the beautiful quilts they make. Their designs are sometimes simple, sometimes very complicated, and often tell a story with the symbols they sew onto their kawandis.
These are my first attempts at Kawandi, with simple layers, so that I could practice the technique. It's very relaxing, and I love that you just use whatever you have on hand. I have sooo many fabric scraps from over the years, I'm excited to have another use for some of them. If you are into stitching at all, I highly recommend giving this a try!

24 of my hearts will be hand appliquéd to the borders of this beautiful scrap quilt that I pieced a few years ago. I am excited to get this finished!

Ball #38, I'm calling "bedazzled", and you can probably see why.
I wish now that I had taken progress photos, as it went through so many changes. I just enjoy the process, laying things on, layering, adding bits and pieces and beads, and more bits and more beads, until I feel that it's done. These balls that I have been making lately are hard to really do justice in photographs, as they are meant to hold and turn in your hands, and feel and experience.

Finally finished this ball, and I am naming her "A Shell of herself). I was gifted some random broken jewelry and so I challenged myself to use as much of it as I could, as well as more scraps from my stash. The core ball was made from wadded and wrapped fleece and batting scraps, then wound with some of my ugly thread.
Next I covered it with bits of upholstery scraps and some stitching with thread. The gold chain was a bracelet and the pink rocks were part of that same bracelet.
Not every step was pretty, but this kind of slow stitching is all about just enjoying the process. Adding layers adds even more interest, and love! Soon, it becomes something you love to look at and hold, and display.
Ball #37

It's been a while, but I'm back making hats again! I have a list of requests, so if you would like a custom reversible bucket hat of your very own, and you trust me to be creative with your color choices, then I'm the hatmaker for you!
They start at $40, and go up, depending on how much "art" detail you would like, and ties are also available for an additional $5.
This is hat #14, and I call it "Blending In". It is reversible, using my customer's fabrics that she supplied. To help the fabrics blend together, I did a crumb topping on one side with the tiny scraps from this project, and on the opposite side, I did hand stitching all over the sides, using threads that complimented the colors of all of her chosen fabrics. She loves it, and that makes me happy!

My "Happy Ball". This one I'm keeping, it lives on the fireplace mantle now.

LOL. Truth.

Creative chaos...free flow creative energy...
There's nothing quite like it!

What a great tip for joining yarn or string, without a bulky knot!

✨🧶The magic knot tutorial Most secure way to join two yarns for amigurumi#whatisart#whatisartbyindu Hey guys welcome back✨🥰This is an easy and secure way to connect two yarns 🧶 Try it out and let me know in the comments ...

Hi friends! I recently discovered another use for all of the small scraps and threads and bits and bobs that I have been collecting (hoarding lol) over the years. Made entirely by hand, with only stitching (no glues allowed). I make them up as I go, just doing what I think looks good next. Enjoying the process. Slow stitching, meditative, relaxing, therapeutic. They don’t have to “become” anything, they could just be a practice that you do, or they can be decorative, with feet for standing, or ribbon for hanging, or several in a bowl for the table. I encourage you to try it!
They can be any size, an inch (or less!) or a foot (or more!).

Hat #11, "Rhapsody in Blue Jeans”. AVAILABLE
Side A is up-cycled denim pieces, some raw-edge appliqué, and decorative machine stitching.
This hat is fully reversible, and since there is no real front or back, it can be worn many different ways!
Side B is pieced from two different up-cycled skirts, and some cotton from my stash.
Size is "23, and can fit anywhere from "21 1/2" - 23 1/2".

Hat #1, "Elephants in Stitches" is now AVAILABLE.
Side A is up-cycled denim, with sashiko hand stitching on the sides.
Side B is a gorgeous cotton print with elephants.
Cord and Bead ties are reversible, just flip the hat over and pull the bead to the underside. The outside bead snugs up to the back and becomes part of the decor.
Size is 23", and can fit from 21 1/2" - 23 1/2" head circumference.
Price is $50 plus shipping.

Hat #10, "A Moment in Time". AVAILABLE>
22" head circumference, so will fit from 21 1/2" - 23" comfortably.
Made with up-cycled fabrics and fabrics from my stash.
This hat is fully reversible, and can be styled many ways!
Side A is shades of gray with touches of pink, and sashiko hand stitching details on the top.
Side B is shades of pink and lavender. All cottons.
$40 plus shipping. Reversible ties can be added for $5.

Hat #8, “stars and stripes”. Available.
22”, so if your head circumference is from 21 1/2" - 23" it should fit nicely.
This one is not fully reversible, just the brim, and it’s lined with a soft muslin.
$30 plus shipping. If you would like ties, they are $5.

Hi friends! I have been busy this last month of June, and I want to catch you up! I took the month off from doing custom orders, took a breath, went through my wish list of things that I have been wanting to create for a while but never had the time. Narrowed it down to a few of my favorite favorites, and found something new that I looooove making, and it's making others happy too. For me, that's the magic combination, to create something that I love, that also brings joy to others. Hats are a wonderful "canvas" to create anything that your imagination can dream of. I've made my first few hats, using techniques that I've been learning as well as techniques that I already have under my belt, and this is just the start.
Here are the hats that I've created so far. I like to make things with lots of options, so these are reversible, have air vents, and (optional) ties that work with either side showing. I've already got a waiting list for custom hats so if you want on the list, message me!
Prices start at $40, up to $95 depending on design details. I just need to know your head circumference, favorite colors, and if you have particular favorite fabrics. The details of my hats are "artist's choice", so when it's your turn, I'll make at least two hats so you can choose your favorite.

Made with plastic water bottle crammed full of plastic bags, junk mail and other goodies that would normally be tossed, tennis ball, TP mache and glass eyes.

Upcycled skirt art project is finished!
the denim panels are from three different pants, with a different sashiko pattern hand stitched on each one. The skirt sections were cut from a larger thrifted skirt, and the fabric has a satin feel to it, very light, so this will be a good spring/summer skirt.
I finished with some decorative machine stitching in between panels, some handmade t-shirt fringe along the top, and some decorative fringe along the bottoms of the denim panels. I also got brave and inserted an invisible zipper in the back (very proud of myself for that lol).
My intention for this was that it could be worn with any of three sides showing in the front. All you need to do is turn the zipper to either side, or to the back.
Yes, this is available, size XL. Message me for price.

Made with plastic water bottle crammed full of plastic bags, junk mail and other goodies that would normally be tossed, tennis ball, TP mache and glass eyes.

Adding the fabric layer, using this awesome mushroom print.

Giselle the Diva Giraffe

She is a mixed media piece, starting with an Upcycle wine bottle, then layers of paper mache, paper mache clay, fabric collage, and acrylic paints. Embellished with fur, beads and eyelashes.
$250

Working in my studio today during Saturday farmers market. My two most recent sashiko pieces, one in progress, and also sketching out new ideas using some paint stencils that I have. Use whatcha got!

June art challenge! I'm giving my self a goal this month of finishing some projects that I started a while ago, which will be mixed media pieces with paper mache, fabric mache, assemblage, maybe some textile pieces as well. Some examples of my WIP and finished pieces. What are YOU working on this month? I would love to see!

My personal challenge for May was to create at least one thing each day. Some days I made more than one, some days I skipped while working on bigger projects, but I'm pretty sure there are at least 31 makes for May, yay!!

A few of these items are available for sale at my studio in Vallejo, or in my Etsy shop.

Working on something new, using plastic Easter eggs that were saved from going into the landfill, and some whiffle balls that I had used for a drawing a few years ago. They are given a little stability with some old poker chips, and weighted with miscellaneous hardware and the “ugly” glass gems from the dollar store (the good ones will be used for eyes on other sculptures. Or hmmm maybe some of these little guys too!).

Hey Friends! Now through Sunday, I'm having a Black Friday Sale! Everything in my shop, including several of my art snails and cloth dolls, is 15% off. No code needed, just place your order by end of day Sunday.

Handmade Squishie Babies Lovie Babies Crutch Bubbles by HappySquishies You searched for: HappySquishies! Discover the unique items that HappySquishies creates. At Etsy, we pride ourselves on our global community of sellers. Each Etsy seller helps contribute to a global marketplace of creative goods. By supporting HappySquishies, you’re supporting a small business, an...

Finished the last of this series of Twenty-One Paper Mache/Assemblage art snails today! Let me introduce you to them all. Which are your favorites? One is already in it's new home, but the rest are now officially available. $45 each plus shipping.

Snail #11 is Mishell Pfeiffer.
Paper mache/assemblage collectible indoor art piece.

Shellton John
Paper Mache/Assemblage Snail #10