Though Meyers aims for the food to appear edible, she acknowledges that her “sugary wonderland” is a Willy Wonka-esque escape from reality.
“I think about Mary Poppins and Jane and Michael jumping into the chalk drawing and being in this totally made-up world,” she says. “I totally love that idea, and that’s what the show did.”
The dreamy pieces in Stitchalicious truly belong in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, especially the towering tiered cakes, which Meyers says are her favorite.
One of her biggest pieces – a pearl white, sparkling layer cake – spans more than 25 layers. Meyers stuffed each round section then hand-stitched it to the next. The cake features no support. Instead, the reinforced stitching and stuffing form its whimsical shape, which reaches the ceiling before trailing over the top.
Meyers says viewers frequently commented that the exhibit made them hungry and want to bake. One demographic was particularly enthralled by Meyers’ take on sweets: children.
“A lot of children respond to it right away, and I really love it,” she says. “They aren’t just in an art gallery where things are really cold. It’s something they can relate to even at their young age.”