3D Textile Wall Art

The Process Behind My 3D Textile Art

My newest work is assembling pleated fabrics and naturally dyed textiles into unique 3-dimensional and wall sculptures. Although my original thought was to suspend them in cocoon shapes, there’s potential for lots of other sculptural assemblages.

Each piece starts with fabric that has already gone through an intensive, tactile transformation: hand-pleating, dyeing with natural pigments, and hours of experimentation to get the right textures and colors. By shifting these textiles off the flat plane and into three dimensions, I’m exploring how fabric can hold space—almost like a living organism growing beyond its frame. Learn more about my natural dye process here:

https://maijazemitis.com/natural-dye-processes/

Exploring Form and Texture

I’ve been surprised by how much personality these pleated fabrics and naturally dyed textiles take on when transformed into 3D textile art. The pleating adds rhythm, while the natural dyes bring in subtle shifts of colour that catch the light differently depending on the angle.

When I started experimenting with cocoon-like shapes, they felt protective and almost otherworldly—but once I let myself play, new ideas started emerging. Some pieces lean more floral or wave-like, while others suggest layered geological formations.

From Fabric to Wall Sculpture

For me, this process is as much about discovery as it is about design. I don’t always know what the final shape will be when I start working with a piece of fabric. Instead, I test how it wants to bend or hold tension, then build around that. Working with each piece feels like collaborating with the materials, letting the pleated fabrics and textile sculpture forms guide the final wall art design.

Natural Dyes and Materials

The naturally dyed textiles I work with add depth and subtle variation, making each 3D textile wall sculpture truly one-of-a-kind. Working with sustainable, hand-dyed fabrics not only influences the aesthetic but also makes the process feel alive—every fold, tuck, and pleat reacts to the texture and color in unexpected ways.

Looking Ahead to the Exhibition

This body of work is still evolving, and I’m excited to see where the process leads. For now, I’m experimenting with different forms and letting the materials guide the direction. These explorations in 3D textile art and wall sculptures will eventually come together for my upcoming duo exhibition at The Gallery at L.E. Shore, in Thornbury, Ontario opening in November 2026. It feels both far away and just around the corner, and I’ll be sharing more along the way as the pieces take shape.