TESSA LAYZELLE
The work combines self taught appliqué quilt making techniques with a sustainable and painterly approach to create distinctive multi-functional pieces to be used and lived with.
“I am interested in the interplay between decoration and functionality. My works are simultaneously composed as paintings and designed to be both robust and comforting when folded, wrapped and thrown.”
The multi-functional pieces are made to be used and lived with, for the walls or furniture, changing purpose with the whim of the holder.
I source deadstock, recycled, and end of roll fibers as well as repurposing second hand garments and bedding. Some of these are chosen for colour, some I dye with plants and food waste, sharing knowledge with my dad who has a keen interest in local foraging.
I also paint and draw on fabrics in small batches, exploring lots of different mediums such as silk paint, ink pastels and printing inks, always in pursuit of new colourfast options. This way I build a transient palette of fabrics to work with, the smallest scraps kept to be made into tableware.
Using self taught applique and wholecloth quilt construction techniques, I draw on traditions from the UK and beyond. Everything is hand stitched allowing for greater freedom in design.
Initially I assemble visual boards for the quilts. Motifs and compositions are then sketched out with coloured pencils and fabrics scraps. I create tiny fabric collage mock-ups to plan and communicate designs.
For FELT Collection 02, the quilts are the results of experimenting with the pochoir printing technique to inform new applique quilt designs. Layering cut shapes to create informal surreal flora repeats and combining these with simple repetitive hand painting to create new, one of a kind pieces.
Tessa has a fine art degree from Brighton. She has recently completed work for interior projects by House of Grey, Beata Heuman, Alma + Midori with The Modern House and Rebecca Sicardi. Her work was featured in Summer Awakening at Selfridges, Oxford Street. August-October 2021. And her works have been featured in recent issues of House & Garden, Elle Decoration UK and Architectural Digest India. Tessa works from her home studio in Yorkshire.
