A Closer Look -- Iguana Sculpture

This post is part of a series taking a closer look at award-winning entries from exhibits at Northern Wefts.

Iguana sculpture by Ann Masemore

Ann Masemore of Minneapolis weaves recycled plastic into yardage to make into handbags and totes -- usually. But one particular combination of colors (produced from Cub, Whole Foods and Lunds grocery and produce bags, frozen veggie bags, retail shopping bags and a black trash bag) reminded her of reptile skin when she took the yardage off the loom. So instead of a faux alligator bag, she made an actual faux reptile. Ann's Iguana sculpture won the hearts of viewers as well as first place in the Non-Wearable category of the Re-use, Re-new Re-cycle exhibit at Northern Wefts.

Entries in this exhibit were displayed with photographs of the materials they transformed.

Iguana was made with 8/4 100% cotton rug warp at 10 epi for the plain weave fabric, which Ann wove on a 4-shaft Kessenich rug loom. The black ruff on the head is actually the header. The body, tail, head and legs were all cut from the recycled plastic bag yardage, machine sewn and stuffed with quilt batting.

The head includes vintage buttons, beads, and brass 2-prong paper brads. The tongue is the zipper portion of a recycled zip-closure plastic bag.

In addition to a one-year membership to the Textile Center in Minneapolis, Ann's winning entry in Re-use, Re-new Re-cycle won a basket woven from recycled Korean newspapers and filled with (naturally) re-gift items.