Enjoying the process

Posted on September 16, 2011 by Linda Matthews

As you know, I recently began a new art bag. You can see the preparation of the samples here.

I find that once the samples are prepared and the technique is fine-tuned, and all the bits and pieces are assembled, it’s amazing how fast things go together and how smoothly the process progresses. And of course when the process goes smoothly, it’s always enjoyable.

What do you think of this fabric for the lining? I LOVE the contrast in colors.

Painted Texture

The highlighted texture on the bottom panel.

Painted Texture

Highlighting the texture on the side panels. It’s amazing what a difference the highlighting makes!

Painted Texture

Attaching the cording to finish the edges.

Painted Texture

It’s almost done! At this rate I should be finished later today.

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The many layers of stitched texture

Posted on September 14, 2011 by Linda Matthews

One of my very favorite things to work with is texture on fabric. I love exploring new and creative ways to make it and to use it.

And I particularly love to use stitch as a way to create raw texture on fabric or fabric paper which can then be used for painting or printing. Using hand stitching or machine stitching or a combination of both to prepare textured fabric for painting or printing is an exciting way to add interesting and unusual texture to fabric and you can find one of my favorite pieces of stitched and painted textured fabric paper here.

And of course creating stitched texture is a great way to use all those hundreds of decorative stitches on your sewing machine. I’m sure you’ve sometimes wondered what to do with all those stitches.

So for the last few days I’ve really enjoyed preparing and working with the samples for my new art bag project and I’ve finally progressed to a point where I’m really happy with the way the technique is working.

It starts with the raw stitched texture.

Painted Texture

Then some paint.

Painted Texture

And to really dress up the texture, some highlighting.

Painted Texture

I often get asked how I do this type of highlighting. Sometimes I use gold paint and dry brush it over the texture, but my favorite method is using a burnishing wax which you can pick up in your local craft store. Adding the highlight does take practice which is the reason I always prepare samples first.

Painted Texture: Rub'n'Buff

So now that I’m happy with the samples, I’m ready to move on to preparing the fabric for the art bag. I simply love working with a process; don’t you?

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Sampling

Posted on September 12, 2011 by Linda Matthews

This is what I did this weekend.

Free Machine Embroidery

It doesn’t look like much does it? Until you get up a little closer.

Free Machine Embroidery

And closer still. Yeh, all that machine work took a long time to do.

Free Machine Embroidery

These pieces are panels for a new art bag that I’m making, in the same style as “Blush” which you can see here, except instead of printing on fabric I’m going to use some hand painted techniques to color the free machine embroidery similar to those used on this journal cover.

And instead of jumping right in like I did the other day and ending up with disastrous results, this time I made some small samples to practice with first.

Do you ever use samples before working on a major project?

I use them frequently for sampling new or unusual techniques. Working with samples is a great way to test new techniques before you begin work on a project and usually take no time at all to make, although these took quite a while because there’s so much stitching on them. Preparing samples gives you the opportunity to try different ways of working with a technique until you’re comfortable with the process.

And if you don’t totally ruin the samples during the process, you can use them in other projects as focus pieces, or cut them up and use them in collages or for piecing applications.

Free Machine Embroidery

I painted this sample which was stitched with stipple. I love these colors and I’m thinking of using them on the bag.

Free Machine Embroidery

Still working slowly, how about you?

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I’m blushing all over!

Posted on May 16, 2011 by Linda Matthews

Infinity Art Gallery have just announced the winners of their online Fiber Arts Show. I didn’t win but I was a finalist, which is almost as good.

And here’s the finalist (drum roll please) …

Blush an Art Bag

Blush Art Bag

You can read more about Blush here and of course don’t forget to visit the Infinity Art Gallery to check out the winners – some awesome textile art work. You can find the Infinity Art Gallery here.

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Blush

Posted on March 16, 2011 by Linda Matthews

Some new work ahead – a new style art bag and a slightly new design process …

Red is one of my favorite colors and this textured digital art design combines many of the beautiful shades of red, a rich and complex melange of warm colors which I’ve called “Blush”.

I’ve always preferred to work with soft rounded edges and curves; lines that flow. I don’t usually work with angles or sharp edges. It started here, and continues. I wonder what that’s about?

Printed on fabric paper … one side …

Blush Art Bag

… the other side …

Blush Art Bag