Basic Fabric Paper

I am participating in a book study on the book Stitch Alchemy hosted by Belinda - mmartfriends yahoo group. Here are the pictures of the basic fabric paper I made last weekend and my journal notes on each piece.

Page 1 - Pink n Orange Flowers

Process: Sobo Glue, Tissue Paper, overlay tissue paper from Bandalino Shoe box w a sheer geometric design.
Comments: I like the softness of the Sobo Glue on the finished product and the detail the overlay tissue gives the finished piece. Colors look great together.

Page 2 - Gold
Process: Sobo Glue, Tissue Paper, Cigar Band, Yarn Pom - opened and drizzled for texture, overlay tissue paper was tan - not white
Comments: I like the softness of the Sobo Glue, I like they drizzled yarn pom for texture, I like the idea of the overlay - but it really subdued the collaged pieces underneath. Love the cigar band as a impact element.

Page 3 - Black n White
Process: Elmers Glue, Tissue Paper, Junk Mail Envelopes, Black Thread, Overlay tissue paper - white w black dots
Comments: Overlay paper is over dramatic at this point, love the linear texture added by the black thread. The Elmers Glue is much stiffer than the Sobo

Page 4 - Collage Scraps 1
Process: Elmers Glue, Tissue Paper, Rescued dye mop paper towel, Asian calendar goat motif and target sale price stickers.
Comments: The elmers is stiff - otherwise we will see how it turns out in an end product...

Page 5 - Dyed Towel #1
Process: Elmers Glue, rescued dyed paper towel - separated for mirror image effect, metallic gold thread drizzle
Comments: The elmers is stiff, love the mirror image effect of the paper towel, the metallic thread drizzle is not effective - needed to be a more dominate color - perhaps copper...

Page 6 - Scrap Collage #2
Process: Elmers Glue, tissue paper, dye mop paper towel
Comments: the elmers is stiff, we will see if it improves in a finished piece


Page 7 - Dyed Towel #2
Process: Elmers Glue, Dye Mop Paper Towel - separated for mirror image, Orange Thread
Comments: The elmers is stiff, love the use of the separated towel, and the linear effect the thread adds.

Page 8 - Scrap Collage #3
Process: Elmers Glue, Tissue Paper, Dye Mop Paper Towel, Asian Calendar Days of the Week, Change of Address Label.
Comments: the elmers is stiff, we will see how it works in a finished piece..

Additional Thoughts and Comments:
This was a wonderfully creative experiment -I am in the study to encourage myself to 'get out of my box' so to speak and this was a good start. I definitely prefer the Sobo over the Elmers - as noted in my comments. I like the random collage aspect of this project and need to experiment further with the tissues I am using as the final overlay. It seems those with subtle texture or color work best - those more dramatic and darker in color seem to dominate the collage work underneath. More to come as the journey continues...

Fun n Funky Fabric Leaves

To make these leaves - you will need the following:

-Green Fabric of choice – amount depends on the number of leaves you will be making – you will need 2 pieces the same size to make one leaf (any green fabric will work – I prefer a stripy green batik)

-Fusible Web of choice

-Green Thread to coordinate with your fabric

-Pattern for your leaf shape
Suggestions for patterns for your leaf shape – you can free hand cut your leaves if you want – but here are some other ideas for pattern shapes – clip art, children’s coloring books, cookie cutters, nature (use a leaf from a tree in your yard)

Step #1: Iron fusible web to wrong side of 1 piece of your green fabric – remove the paper and lay the 2nd piece of green fabric –wrong side to fusible – and iron – to make a 2 sided piece of fabric – you could use 2 different fabrics here as well if you want the underside of your leaf be a different color than the top side.

Step #2: Trace your leaf shape on the 2 sided fabric, Cut out just inside the lines.

Step #3: At this point you are ready to add the leaf veins by machine – if you want – start by doing an edge stitch around the entire leaf – not necessary but may be a nice element to the final design. Your choice.

Starting at the bottom of the leaf – on the side you consider the top stitch a line down the center of the leaf – this does not have to be perfectly straight – you can use a regular straight stitch – but I like to use a triple stitch for added vein detail. Stitch over this line 2-3 times until you feel the look of the vein is to your liking. Next (starting from the bottom again) add the side veins to your leaf – using the center line as your means of travel up the leaf – I usually only stitch the side veins 2 times… As you stitch you will see the leaf start to curl slightly – this is was a happy mistake when I made them the first time – but I love the over all affect.

Go to my Web Shots for a Photo Slide Show of the steps to make these leaves.

http://entertainment.webshots.com/slideshow/574138351LueaEh

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