Katrina Memorial Cube Sculpture

I am originally from Louisiana and although I was living in NYC when the Gulf Coast was struck by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, I have family who were directly affected. On my trips down to visit family I am awed by the incredible strength of Gulf Coast residents. It is in their honor that I contribute this instructable to the SewUseful challenge. I feel that this piece of art may be very useful as a healing tool for many and more than that I believe that art is perhaps the most useful thing we do as humans. The ability to create, process, and reflect allows our mind and often our bodies to heal. So, I hope these photos and instructions are useful in bringing about some measure of healing for those who have endured so much. That said, it is difficult to price art. The price I have decided on for my listing in my Etsy shop is part payment as artists should be compensated, but half of the proceeds will be donated to relief efforts. Specifically, if the Katrina Memorial Cube Sculpture sells, I will donate $500 to a Katrina/Rita relief organization that benefits local artists. The buyer may choose the organization.

The Katrina Memorial Cube Sculpture is fiber art that contains images of Louisiana that are dear to me. One of the images is of a crab. As I child I remember crabbing with my family, and later 4.when I became a mom I also took my children crabbing in Lake Ponchartrain. I have also included a pelican, cattails, a traditional New Orleans "shotgun" house, a turtle, and a child next to a growing oak tree. I hope each of these images carry messages of resilience for those along the Gulf Coast.

The other important thing about this fiber art is that all of the materials used are recycled. One of the themes in my art is sustainability. This is important to me simply because I believe that it is important to take care of our habitat. But also, I love to think about the history of found objects and materials. It is always more challenging to create a project and seek out the colors and texture you need from what you happen upon. Too, the Katrina Memorial Cube Sculpture seemed to beckon for reclaimed materials. Many of my favorite artists working in New Orleans today use reclaimed materials in their work. This is a tribute to them as well.

Materials Needed:
1. 4 old t-shirts, freshly laundered
2. cotton thread (I choose a contrasting thread - Black)
3. sewing machine, machine needles, bobbin, scissors, dressmaker pins, pinchusion, pencil/chalk, lint brush, and measuring tools/cutting board.
4. pillow stuffing for memory box - I choose a pillow stuffing that is hypoallergenic. You will need approximately 6 large bags.
5. fabric, found objects for embellishing
6. memories, love, patience, and stories to share

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6461213
If you look at the instructable tonight, keep in mind that I am not quite done with the instructions. I will finish tonight. Thanks for looking.

Step 1 Choose and Prepare Material

I chose to use old t-shirts to make the Katrina Memorial Cube Sculpture . I found a turquoise blue, a brown, and two off-white t-shirts for use. Gather the t-shirts that you will use and decide on the colors that will go well together. Make sure you wash the t-shirts well before using.

Using the freshly laundered shirts, lay out the t-shirts in the color formation that you would like to use. You may need to rearrange the colors several times until you are pleased with the combination. To make this project I decided I would make a cube. To do so meant I would need 6 sides. I did not want each cube side to be a solid color so I decided that each cube side would be made up of 2 panels of different colors. The top and bottom cube sides would be a patchwork pattern. So for the remaining 4 cubes that meant I would need 8 panels. I decided that my cube would be 18"x18". So each panel would need to be 9" by 18" for the finished size.

I knew that if the finished panel needed to be 9"x18", then I would need to add extra fabric for the seams. So I planned for each panel to be 9"x18" but added 5/8" extra on all four sides to give me room for the seams. 5/8" is the standard allowance for seams. This would mean that each t-shirt would provide me with 2 panels. I had chosen 4 t-shirts so I had enough to make the 4 sides to the cube. For the top and bottom of the cubes, I used the t-shirt sleeves and other leftover materials to make the patchwork look.

Pin the t-shirt along the line that you will need to cut. You can use chalk to mark your cutting line if you like.

Comments

[Arakhne]

 I was trying to sew a plush vending machine and this is EXACTLY what I needed. Thanks so much!

[createurself]

what a wonderful piece of art...being from louisiana myself it means alot. i love the way you used recycled t-shirts to make the cube. i can see what a great conversation piece it would make and the memories that people would share that would pick it up. i have heard a thousand stories and never grow tired of them...i have watched people rebuild their lives all around me and it gives me strength. love the colors you chose as well.

[HamO]

Very well done Ible. Thanks for remembering Rita as well as Katrina.

[jessiecreations]

thanks I'm still adding a few steps. Yea Rita was just as harmful to many others. I've lived in that part of Louisiana as well as Houston. It is my wish that no one forget the families who suffered.