Fabric and Paint

Be Unique

Lately, I have been drawn to mixing two of my favorite past-times, fabric, and paint.  However, I also have a practical side, so I decided it should be something I use.  What better thing to experiment with than a bag or purse.

 Treasures Found

I started with muslin material for my mixed media project and dyed it to a color I liked. Since I live near the ocean, I was inspired by sea creatures.  I carved out fish images and starfish and stamped them on my material using acrylic paint.  Next, I used a simple pattern for a large bag and made it reversible with batik material inside. Finally, I created and painted a small face, a sleeping mermaid, to decorate the flap that closes the bag. I liked the purse so much I decided to make another one.

Personal Connections

My daughter sent a design to me she made on her computer of Psalm 91.  I thought it was encouraging and pretty, so I decided to use her design for another mixed media purse.  Creating a Journal for Fabric Projects I copied the print, put freezer paper on the back of muslin, and sent it through my printer. Then I sewed the Psalm 91 design on my purse pattern.    I also made the purse reversible, and with the leftover material, I added a small change purse.

On the front of the large purse, I used fabric paint to create a few more flowers and butterflies to match the front pocket.

 

Experiment

I have tried designs on fabric before, but I like to experiment.  So I tried another technique.  I used a piece of yellow cotton print material and printed various designs on the material with random objects and acrylic paint. Next, I used permanent paint pens to fill in some of the designs. It was fun and interesting.  Finally, I decided that it would make an interesting small purse.  I just have to try it again because I loved the outcome.  The results always surprise me, and I like mysteries mixed media creates.

Adapt

This is a craft that could be done with older children.  All you need is some material, acrylic or fabric paints, objects to print with, and a few participants. https://www.lovelyetc.com/how-to-paint-fabric-for-beautiful-diy-projects Plants, styrofoam, bags, and netting make interesting patterns.  A simple square or rectangular shape can be sewn by hand after it dries. Beads, shells, seeds, or macaroni can be used to decorate the purse, or in the case of boys, a bag.

To conclude, I had a great time playing with fabric and paint.  Sometimes it is best to experiment and practice first on paper.  With printing, there is no pressure to create that perfect drawing, and the results can be so satisfying, so have fun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Quilt is Fabric Art

I love to sew for children, so I decided to make a quilt for a grandchild whose birthday was coming up.  After looking at my sewing journal for ideas, I created my fabric art design on graph paper. Because I have so many scraps in my sewing basket, and after a month or so of thinking about it, I started on a quilt.  The journal of collected ideas prompted my design.

Sometimes, however, just color and texture create a nice quilt. For example, I recently made a rag quilt from flannel.  Simply cut out squares of flannel for the top and bottom, and sandwich in a square of batting. You can also change the shape or size of the squares and come up with something unique. Then, cut out your squares, and sandwich them together with batting and another square of material. Next, sew an X, or whatever quilting design you choose on each square.  When you are finished, sew them all together.  https://youtu.be/L8iwWA-VeXE  The quilt I made was a soft and cozy gift for a small grandchild. My son told me that his little girl rolled herself up in the quilt.

In my sewing journal, I have added patterns from nature, from books, materials, and ideas from other artists to enhance my fabric art.  Nature has provided ever-changing colors, shapes, and designs. In addition, another rich source of inspiration comes from artists all over the world.  Mixed media and fabric artists always catch my interest. Thankfully, some are showing and publishing their work. I am building my own library from my favorites. One example of beautiful fabric art is Annemieke Mein’s designs. Her textile works are detailed creations inspired by nature. They are gorgeous.

https://indulgy.com/post/EdKgGcVRZ1/annemieke-mein-textile-art

But she is not alone.  The art in the world of fabric and mixed media has exploded, and because of the internet, we can see the work of artists from all over the world. There are women like Ruth McDowell and Jane Dunnewold who are also adding to my collection of fabric art.

In conclusion, it is important to seek out other artists and experiment with new techniques.  It keeps art alive in all forms.  Developing and recording ideas in a journal will give you a great reference for future ideas. It will grow your creative side, and keep your fabric art alive.

 

 

 

 

Recording Ideas in My Journal for a Future Project

Sewing Journal: Color and Design

Using a List

Let’s get started.  It is now time to record our ideas in our journal, so here is the list again:

• favorite colors.
•  memories and pictures that come to mind.
•  favorite textures and designs.
•  photographs or magazines pictures and illustrations.
• a collection of meaningful objects
• a symbol that reminds you of an important event or memory.
•  the patterns and diversity you observe in nature.

If you want to add your own ideas to the list, that is wonderful.

Nature

My favorite colors are the colors in the sunsets and sunrises.  I take so many pictures of the sky that my phone often complains.  In addition, I love the patterns in nature which are my major guide.  Leaves, flowers, shells, stones, I collect them all.  Here is what I have started:   I have included a color wheel just for reference and some of my own notes.

Sunsets: pinks, blues, purples, reds

Clouds: blue, white, grey, purple, lavender

Beach: blue/green, grey, dark blues and greens

Memories: Sunsets in the hills and at the beach. Children playing, dolphins, fishing from the pier and boat, snorkeling. shell collecting.

Patterns: flickering light on the water, colorful city lights at night, sunsets reflecting on the water, lines, and spirals on the shells, water birds.

Textures: sand, rocky with broken shells, foamy, slimy, soft fluffy weeds.

Ideas: shell patterns, children playing, family, nature patterns.

Color Wheel for Reference

 

 

Since I also like to paint, I checked a watercolor book I was reading.  Furthermore, I liked some of the ideas the author had for painting, so I am including the information.  I tried putting together some scraps of material I had using the technique, and I included the ideas in my journal. Below is a sample:

I love all of these combinations, so I will now put something together with some sketches or designs.  I have some nature ideas in mind, and I hope you will join the exploration. If you are still looking for ideas, here is a site that may spark your creativity. https://compassandink.com/73-junk-journal-theme-ideas/

Creating a Journal for Fabric Projects

Project Ideas

I love to start a new project, but unless I have an organized area and have my materials accessible, completing the project can be frustrating.  First, it is important to have the supplies in a convenient place.  Once I start, I do not like to start searching for the supplies, so a dresser or plastic containers with drawers is helpful. Second, I like to have some idea or theme for the cover, but usually my supplies and scraps direct the design.  The following are the supplies I used for my journal:

• cardboard
•  paper
• glues for paper and fabric
• cutting tools
• fasteners
• thread and needles or sewing machine
• measuring tape or ruler

Trim your cardboard to the size you want for your journal.  For this one, I made it the size of the paper I had available. Next, gather your fabric or decorative papers, and line up the paper to fit the size of your cardboard.  When sewing the covers, be sure and add at least 1/4 inch on all sides.

After sewing your covers, punch holes in the cardboard for your rings or fasteners.  Next use rings or tie it with ribbon or other materials.  In fact, journals can be made from old book covers or notebooks.  So be creative and use what you have available.

Gift Journals

When I finished the journal above, I had some leftover cardboard so decided to make another journal as a gift.  This journal was smaller and I had used all my rings, so I decided to cut the paper and sew the pages together.

Measure the material and make flaps for book covers.  Sew the top and bottom flaps, and miter the corners. Turn the material right side out and fit book inside.  Cut the paper to fit the book, and either sew the pages or glue them.  The following is a finished product.

Get Started

However, if that is too much for now but you want a journal, you can purchase one from someone else or just decorate a regular notebook.  Three-ring notebooks work well for organizing ideas. So just get started.

 

Inspiring the Craft of Sewing

Children and Sewing