APPLIQUE | katiebell

Appliqué

'Cowgirl'

Final size: 330 x 370mm

Multiple fabrics and felt and carpet padding, leather, hand-dyed fabric, suede, braid, Elizabethan gold thread, hard string, Appleton 2 ply wool, wire, flannel, DMC and Anchor stranded cotton, horse hair, metal buckles.

I am extremely proud of my hand-stitched Cowgirl; inspired by late 1800s Dakota Sioux beadwork; it took me 4 months. I designed the floral rose motif, I created all the miniature elements, padded the figure, hand-dyed fabric and wove a replica traditional Ute blanket to accompany her.

My Cowgirl acknowledges a period of the American West that is often romanticised, yet marked by cultural convergence, conflict and profound loss for Indigenous communities. It also honours resilient women who worked cattle, built homes, and forged independent lives within a male-dominated frontier. Through this piece, I demonstrate my dedication to hand embroidery.

Supporting imagery:

Weaving the mini Navajo blanket
Horses breast collar
Sampling the shirt with beadwork
My tonal drawing
Details of work in progress
Final piece ready for submission