Finished! Just in time for the Gardner Area League of Artists annual member show.  May, 2018.

Wired for hanging to lighten the piece so there will be no weight burden on the hook or hanger.

This project has been in the works for several years. Turning ordinary items into art has always been intriguing to me. I especially enjoy carving clothing, making a hard piece of wood look like something soft. This piece is modeled after an actual dress that one of my closest friend wore as a baby.

4-30-18 The carving is pretty much finished. The back is hollowed out to lighten the weight of the carving and to provide space to wire the piece for hanging on a wall.  The hanger and hook are the most fragile part, so they will not be weight bearing. I have reinforced the back of the hanger and hook with super glue. I did  some sanding but want to leave some tool marks. Next…oil and wax!

I am a detail freak, so of course I had to carve all the petticoat ruffles.  This is end grain, so getting nice clean cuts was not easy!  

It’s getting there!!!

It’s starting to look a little softer.Working on folds and some of the detail.  I’ll leave the hanger for last because it will be the most fragile part of the piece.