Meadow's Edge

 This fabric painting is another impressionistic style textile painting.  I really like mood of the photo and was eager to translate that into an impressionistic style.  The girl looks at peace in the meadow but also there is a sense of contemplation as she looks out over the sea in the background.  

Midnight Dalia

I've just finished this fabric painting using all tiny bits of fabric and thread painting.  No actual paints were involved.  I used slightly larger bits than in my previous paintings since this one is a close up shot of the flowers.  I wanted a dramatic piece so I used photoshop to manipulate the colors.   I first sketched the basic outline of the flowers and then underpainted sections to help identify color areas.  I used misty fuse to adhere the first layer of fabric bits to the background and then added tulle over all when finished to capture the loose bits.  I then thread painted over the tulle to add definition.   I've also include a couple of in process photos.  

Fabric painting

Photo reference

                                            

 

New Confetti Fiber Art

For the past few weeks I've been working on a new confetti fiber art piece.  I'm not sure why but I love pictures of doors and  windows.  I found a picture of a blue door with a tree in  full bloom and I knew I wanted to recreate it in fabric.  I find confetti fiber art much like impressionistic art.  Instead of brushes you use  little tiny bits of fabric that are adhered to a background.  I'm still exploring different methods.  I've used lite Steam-a-Seam2, misty fuse, fusible batting and glue.   Still don't know which one I prefer.   I suspect I will end up with a combination.  In the pictures, you can see the progression of the piece.  I started by placing fabric with similar shape and color as the picture on the background and then added the fabric "confetti" on top.   Again, not sure I would do it again this way.  Some people paint this background area and some just put in outlines.   After all the "confetti" is placed, I laid brown tulle on top and then thread painted some details and also did random quilting over the larger areas to keep the confetti in place.   It also adds more dimension to the piece.  I put a black binding around the whole piece, stretched it over a canvas and mounted it in a floating frame.   Enjoy!!

  

Marsh at Sunset

Marsh at Sunset was created using tiny irregular strips and squares of fabric that have been applied like pallet knife strokes.   These is a tulle overlay which is held in place by free motion thread painting.   This textile art piece is 8 x 10 and is matted to fit 11 x 14 frame.   

More Adventures in Textile Art

During this shut down, I have found the need to explore new ways to create art.  I've been reading about different methods using textiles and paint to create art.  One article that I read was from a 2007 Quilting Arts Magazine which was written by Jeanne Raffer Beck and titled Textural Surfaces for Stitch.  In the article she detailed ways to develop improvisational compositions using a variety of techniques and materials.  All the techniques described start with a fabric background (which might also be painted) and is then layered with hand painted scrim, painted fusibles, fabric, yarn, Tyvek, thread, Angelina fibers, organza, etc.    Really the layers can be anything you have on hand.   You can either start with a composition in mind or just let it develop.  

Underwater Seascape

The first one pictured here called Underwater Seascape was not planned.  I just developed  during the creative process.  I started with a piece of unbleached muslin, add a layer of  painted fusible web and then started adding bits of scrim, yarn, painted Tyvek, and Angelina  fibers.  I finished the piece with hand stitching   and a few beads.  It is approximately 8 x 10  and  is matted and framed but no glass.  The frame is 11 x 14.  

  

Abstract Cityscape

The second picture was more planned.  The painted  fusible web reminded me of an abstract city scape so I positioned the layers with that composition in mind.  The layers are hand painted scrim and organza.  I used hand stitching to create "windows" and define the buildings.    8   x 10 picture matted in 11 x 14 frame 

  

More Textile Art

Adventures in Textile Art

During the COVID-19 shutdown, Textile Artists.org hosted a 5 week stitch challenge.  Each week we were presented with a weekly tutorial.  it was really interesting and I learned a lot of techniques that I probably wouldn't have tried. 

This first one is a photo of a twig and it's shadow.   We were challenged to replicate that in fabric.   My result is in the second picture.  I used linen as my background and bits of silk and organza for the twig and shadow. 

Finished piece is 10 in x 12 in.

 
This next photo is a collage created on an Irish Linen vintage handkerchief.  We were challenged to create a "folk art style" picuture from cloth and overstich it to create an art piece. 

Finished piece is 11in  x 11 in.

This eye is entirely hand embroidered.  Although the materials are simple the image is commanding.  I was surprised by the amount of detail that could be created by just thread. 

This piece is an exercise in couching.  I had a piece of cotton with these gold squares on navy blue and I thought it would make a great night sky.   The lake, ground, moon and tree are all hand couched.   Finishe piece is 9in x 9 in

This next piece is a collage that uses paper and fabric.  I was inspired by one of my cloth dolls, entitled "Dream,  Believe, Fly".  I printed an image of the doll and then added other bits and beads to create the art piece.   I have always loved the quote, Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do."   It seems so appropriate these days. 

Impressionistic Confetti Fabric Painting

I had so much fun making this fabric painting.  The process reminded me of mixing paints except you are using fabric.   The process is really simple but very time consuming.   You basically find a picture that you like or one that you have painted, find fabrics that match the colors in the photo, cut them into tiny "confetti" pieces and then "paint" your picture using your fabric.  You then lay a piece of tulle over your fabric and free motion in place.

Finished Fabric Painting

First, I sketched my picture's basic outlines onto  muslin and used textile paint to fill in the large spaces.   This helps guide you for color placement and also helps blend the background with your confetti in case your confetti has a gap.   I ironed light weight wonder under onto the painted muslin to serve as the confetti "glue".  The hardest part is getting the confetti to stay where you want it before it is ironed in place.  I worked in small sections so that the confetti was easier to control.  It is important to use a teflon sheet when you press your confetti on to your background.  Before I stitched the free motion stitched the tulle, I place batting behind the mulin to add body. 

I have also read that some people use one-sided fusible batting for their background.  I might try that next time, but I'm not sure how the painting will affect the fusibility.   I'll do some experimenting.   I also recommend doing a small project to start.   Mine is 18" by 24" which was rather daunting as a first project.   Some people also cut out the larger fabric pieces and fuse them on and only use the confetti for leaves etc.   I chose to make mine look impressionistic so I didn't want any large pieces in my fabric painting. I haven't decided how I want to mount this yet.   Definitely something I want to do again.

Resource photo

                           

Thread Painting--Positano, Italy

Several years ago, a friend of mine went to Italy and sent me some photos that she took while she was there.   I loved the photos and thought that someday I might try painting some of them.   As fate would have it, I found them the other day and decided to use one of them as the basis of a thread painting.   I had never done a thread painting, but I thought; "why not?"    Of course, I read a few articles on the process and most artists used silk fabric as the base and they were quite small, e.g., 3' x 6".   I didn't want anything that small so my picture ended up 10" x 7".  I also wanted to make out of cotton so I mixed art quilting with thread painting.  While it sounded good, it did present some issues.   First the thickness of the fabric quilt "sandwich" coupled with pieced layers made it difficult to free motion embroider.   I "muscled" through it but I do have to say it was frustrating at times.   In the future, I would paint or dye the cotton in areas and then free motion embroider.  This this would eliminate the seams and extra thickness.   The first photo below is the reference photo and the second is the edges photo. 

As you can see from the final project, I eliminated some of the elements in my project.   All that said; I do like the end product.   

Have you tried thread painting?   If so, let me know about your experience. 

A New Year and New Adventures in Textiles

For most of us, including me, the beginning of a new year is time for reflection and a time to set goals for the new year.  This year I want to explore new fiber and textile techniques and art forms.   I'm not sure where this journey will take me but I'm sure that I will enjoy the challenge and adventure.   I have to confess that before I retired I collected books, tools, fibers and fabric so that I would be ready to pursue my love of textile art.   So I have a lot of information at hand to explore new techniques.  One of the first techniques that I explored was to use my punch needle to create an art piece.   The first piece was small so that I could get the feel of it.   I plan to use this little sun face on a garment or bag of some kind.     The second piece combined punch needle and wool felt applique.   Although I thoroughly enjoyed this art form, I don't have a lot of wool felt and/or floss or thread for punch needle so my projects using this form will be limited.   Unless I manage to shrink my current stock of fabric; I won't have room to build up stock for this art form.   However, I won't say never.

Punch Needle Sun Face

Punch needle detail

Wool Felt and Punch Needle 

    

Memory Lap Robe

My friend, Debbie Silva, died last year from ALS, and she gave me an appliqued elephant panel that she had started and knew she wouldn't be able to finish.   She also gave me the complimentary fabrics that she chosen to go with it.   As most of my followers know, I am not a quilter, but I made an exception for this project.   I decided to finish this as a lap robe.   It reminds me of Debbie's, wonderful creative and  loving spirit.  It also serves as a reminder to count my blessings.  We never know what lies beyond the next corner and we need live every day to our fullest potential and be thankful for all our friends and family. 

This quilt is truly a labor of love and further reinforced that fact that I'm not a quilter at heart; at least in the traditional sense.   I could see myself doing art quilting but that's about it.   There's a couple of places that I wish I had done it differently but overall I'm pleased how this all came together as a design.    I outlined the elephant by couching on gray and orange yarn to the edge of the appliqued design.   I think it helped "pop out" the image.    I'm glad that you can't see the quilting part in the picture.  That's why so many quilters send their quilts out to be stitched.   Hope you enjoy the design.

Wearable Art......for the home

It's the holiday time and I couldn't resist making a holiday decoration for my front door.   The space between the storm door and front door is too narrow for commercial wreaths so I decided to make my own.   Here it is and I love it!! 

For those of you who would like to know how I made it; read on....


Wreath instructions
I used a woven cotton flannel red and green flannel for the wreath and coordinating red flannel for the bow.   I used woven flannel so both sides of the fabric look the same.  The frame could be anything round but I used an old drum head frame.   I know, I have weird stuff in my stash.   Just goes to prove that ANYTHING round can be used. 
You can make it any size, even a candle ring size...think old embroidery hoop.   However, please use LED candle since cloth is flammable. 

• First I cut my plaid into strips approx. 5/8 " wide.  If you are making a smaller size I would cut narrower strips.  I used a wavy rotary cutter since I was cutting across the width.   It would be also very interesting to cut the strips on the bias.   Then you wouldn't need to use a wavy cutter since the bias won't ravel.  

Fig 1

 The next step takes a fringe maker tool.   I made my fringe 4 inches wide.   Not sure if you can buy them in that width, but I like to make many sizes of fringe so I made my own fringe maker.  At the end of this post, I will tell you how you can make your own fringe maker.  I have found many uses for this tool.   

• Wrap your strips around the fringe maker tool.  I overlapped mine about 1/4 inch. 
• Place a coordinating piece of yard down the center of your fringe.  
• Couch the yarn in place using a zigzag stitch.   See Fig 1

• When you get to the end of your fringe maker, cut your thread, take the wood bar off the rods and and slide off the top part of the fringe that has been sewn.    See Fig 2.  

Fig 2

• Reattach the fringe maker and add more loops until you reach the end of the fringe maker.  See Fig 2.
• Continue this process until you reach the length you need to wrap around your ring.  
• Leave about an inch of yarn at the end of the fringe.    
• At this point you may clip your loops if you like a fringy look.   I left mine in loops; either way will look fine.  
• Glue or tape the yarn to the starting place on your ring.   
• Wrap the fringe around the ring until it is completely covered.  
• Glue or tape the end of fringe to the starting point.
• I added a bow and gold jingle bells to complete my wreath.  

Fringe maker instructions: 

Here's what you need. 

• 3/4 x 3/8 pine trim about 24 inches long
• 1/8 inch steel welding rod   (these are usually 3 - 4 ft long)
• 4 knitting needle rubber stops that will fit and 1/8 needle 

1. Cut  3/4 x  3/8 pine trim into two 11 - 12 inch lengths.   Any longer than that is pretty awkward to use.   
2. Drill a  1/8 hole in a scrap piece of wood and test your first hole to make sure that your rod fits into the hole.  Adjust your drill bit size if needed.     (A drill press is very handy for this step.)  
3. Turn up on the 3/8 inch side and mark dots spaced 1 inch apart.
4. Drill a hole at each mark.  Be sure to drill all the way through the trim.   
5. Cut the welding rod into two pieces.  I cut mine about 15 inches long.  
6. Use a metal file to round off the cut ends.   This makes it easier to insert into the holes.
7. Insert the metal rods into the spacing you want and cap the ends with the rubber stoppers to prevent the board from slipping off the end while you are working on the fringe.  

                                                                                               

Clover Mini Iron Caddy

I received a clover mini iron with all the attachments as a Christmas gift from my son.   All those attachments are very handy when working in small places such as doll clothes.   My only problem was how to store and keep track of all those pieces.   I decided to design a caddy for the iron and its attachments.   I wanted each piece to have a separate storing place so that I could easily see them and also know if I missed putting one of them away.  As you can see there is a place for every tool and the instructions too.   When I'm done I can just fold it up and put it way in a drawer or on a shelf and everything will be ready for me the next time.   Sure it's not very glamorous but it's very functional and  that's half the battle sometimes. 

2015 Sewing Projects

Over time I've collected several patterns for sewing projects that are not garments and not dolls.   I know it might be hard to believe but I even had fabric purchased some of these projects...LOL...   So to start the new year off I decided to make some of these projects...in fact I've been so busy that I didn't even take time to post them on my blog.   Well, now I'm going to try to catch the blog up with the projects.  These aren't in the order in which they were made just in the order in which I'm taking pictures....

The Beatle Bag
The first is Abbey Lane's Beatle Bag--Grab, Go and Sew.   It's a kit for a handy sewing caddy that has plastic zip pockets, pin cushion and extra cloth pockets for odds and ends. 
It called for Soft and Stable (Foam Stabilizer) which I had never used.   Couldn't find it locally at the time so I bought it on line at www.ByAnnie.com.    Since then a couple of local quilting stores are stocking it.  This product takes the place of batting and I found it quite nice to work with.  It has a little more body than batting but is still very light weight.   I think I'll use it when I make purses in the future.  

Travel Duffle Bag
I fell in love with some fabric which had panels of sewing and art ladies that were sort of steampunk.   I've used some of the panels in purses and garments but I originally bought it to make a travel bag.   I had to use borders on the panels to make them fit the pocket sizes and an I used a complimentary border print on the top of the bag.   There is a pocket inside that is divided into 3 sections when you stitch on the strap.   I didn't make the fabric covered straps since my bag was black.  This bag also uses Soft and Stable for the stabilizer.   The pattern is on www.ByAnnie.com.   The bag is 21 x 13 x 8 which is a pretty big bag.   They have a smaller one on the website too.   There are 6 exterior pockets; two with zippers.  I would buy the hardware and zippers from the website to save some time as they are hard to find.   I couldn't find the right size hardware anywhere locally so I ended up buying a used messenger bag from goodwill and using the hardware from it instead of paying $15.00 for the hardware kit on the website.   The end seams on the inside of the bag are bound and proved to be quite cumbersome to do.   I would probably make a more rounded corner if I were to do it again.   That would make it easier to bind.  

Iron Caddy 
If you travel or go to sewing retreats then this project is one you might like.   This cute iron caddy fits travel irons and opens out into a pressing surface.   The patter is by Sisters' Common Thread and it is called Caddy Pad Jr.   Makes me wonder if the Sr version if for a full size iron.  Anyway, it was a quick project and turned out really cute.   It's lined with insul-brite and heat resistant ironing board cloth.  

New Purse

I've finally managed to squeeze in some "create time" between golf and family.  I have some wonderful Loralie Panel prints in my stash and I've finally decided what I'm going to do with at least some of them.  I've often gone out to dinner or visiting and just wanted to take my wallet, phone and car keys but didn't have a small cute purse to put them in.....sooooo....I've designed one that will use a Loralie panel as the purse flap.  I'm going to make 2 sizes but the first one is 8 1/2"  X  6".    It has 2 zipper pockets and a key clasp to hang your keys on so they don't fall to the bottom of the purse.  I padded and embellished the front panel so it is slightly 3 dimensional.   I'm also creating a pattern and instructions so that those that sew can make their own.  I need a catchy name for the purse....still working on that.....anyone have an idea????

Recently I went to the Chicago Sewing Expo with my sisters, Barb and Molly and my Aunt Phyllis. We all had a great time learning new things in classes and buying some beautiful fabrics and notions. Although I promised myself that I wouldn't buy any more books....I couldn't help it...I bought a book on chenille projects. I couldn't believe all the things you can do with that technique. More on that to come........One of the classes that I took was landscape quilting. I wanted to learn the techniques to that I could use some in Art to wear projects. The first picture is the teacher's sample. The second picture is my version. The subject matter is not something I would have chosen but I did learn the techniques which I know I will use in the future.

Fabric Weaving Sampler

Now that the holiday season is over, I've had some time to try a some new things. I wanted to learn something new so I tried fabric weaving. It seemed like a creative way to use up scraps of fabric and create something new that could be used. I found a piece that I wasn't too fond of and some coordinating colors and plunged right in. Of course, I didn't want to do a simple checkerboard pattern so I used curved pieces. Somewhat of a challenge but the result was quite interesting. I also made a fabric/foam flower, fabric beads, and other embellishments for my sampler. The first picture is the base fabric and the second picture is my "sampler".

I think I may try using smaller strips next time so that I can use the created fabric for one of my doll creations....hmmm.