Beyond the comfort zone

Posted on October 12, 2011 by Linda Matthews

Playing around with lutradur last week was kind of fun.

Apart from burning holes in fabric (which I enjoyed just a little too much), deconstructing, distressing, and generally playing around with unusual products is something I do from time to time. I find that experimenting with new products and techniques, working a little differently to the way that I normally work, and stepping just far enough beyond my comfort zone to feel a little uncomfortable, is the perfect way to stretch myself in new directions and make new and sometimes wonderful discoveries.

It takes a little effort to move out of your comfort zone because no-one actually ever wants to feel uncomfortable, but I find it easier to think of it as “playtime” where there is no defined outcome and where rules are made to be broken.

This week I still feel like I need a little extra playtime (a side effect of stepping outside your comfort zone is that sometimes you don’t want to go back), so I thought I’d continue working with lutradur but in a slightly different way.

Instead of using a free motion design to act as a resist for the holes like I did on the last piece, this time I backed the lutradur with a piece of fabric and added some bobbin work similar to the technique I used on my last art bag. I left plenty of space between the lines of stitching to allow for the holes and then I painted it various shades of brown which are not my usual colors, but I’m working out of my comfort zone, right? So let’s do it differently.

Lutradur Bag

Like the previous piece of lutradur, it looks drastically different once I’ve heated a few holes and allowed the fabric underneath to show through.

Lutradur Bag

And highlighting the texture really makes it stand out.

Lutradur Bag

I kind of like the results so far, although I’m not all that in love with the color. I guess some things won’t change.

I challenge you this week to take some time to step out of your own comfort zone and try something new. If you’re not sure where to begin, start with one of my free tutorials which you can find here, and see where it leads. You never know. And you just might like it.

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Lutradur – all dressed up and nowhere to go

Posted on October 10, 2011 by Linda Matthews

It’s always a good weekend when I get some playtime (as opposed to worktime) in my sewing room! And this weekend I finally managed to finish off the lutradur purse that I began working on last week.

I pondered for a couple of days about how to finish it off because the fabric definitely looks rather grungy and worn, particularly after I heated it to make the holes and the paint turned metallic looking.

I could have added some machine lace to soften the edges and make it a little more feminine looking, but instead I embraced the whole grunge theme and added metal instead.

Lutradur Bag

I used bronze colored eyelets and attached a fringe using some small decorative metal discs. I also used eyelets to secure the shoulder chain strap down each side of the purse.

Lutradur Bag

And a silk lining.

Lutradur Bag

This purse definitely makes an eye catching statement don’t you thing?

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Working with lutradur

Posted on October 3, 2011 by Linda Matthews

This weekend I found a few spare hours to play around with lutradur so see what I could come up with.

I don’t use lutradur often but it’s got some special features that are kind of nice …

It has a beautiful web-like texture, kind of like dryer sheet texture which I love, but more dense. It’s also stiff which means it can support a lot of heavy stitching. It doesn’t fray which makes it really useful for making appliques and for using in applications where you don’t want fraying.

But my favorite thing is that it’s polyester which means you can make holes in it using a heat gun.

So I began with a project in mind – a small shoulder purse – and took a piece and painted it. I added an underlayer of fabric which will show through after I’ve heated the surface, and I’ve added some free motion stitching on top. The stitching acts as a resist and will help to contain the holes. It also adds some additional surface texture.

Lutradur

As I heated the lutradur with the heat gun, I noticed that the color changed. At first I was a little disappointed, but as I worked further I decided I really liked it.

Lutradur

After I was done heating, I added some gold highlights.

Lutradur

So now the fabric is ready and I like the way it’s turned out so far. The holes look a little different from the holes you get when you heat tyvek which turn the edges crunchy. The holes in lutradur are a little softer and more delicate in appearance.

I sort of have a plan for how I want this project to look when it’s finished. We’ll soon see how that turns out.

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Looking Back

Posted on September 30, 2011 by Linda Matthews

Looking Back

I don’t know about you, but I seem to do a lot of internet travel during the course of a week. Some weeks it’s like visiting with your least favorite relative and you can’t wait to leave, but other weeks it’s like Christmas where you get to discover new and amazing wonders. I’ve founds lots of interesting, creative and free stuff this week. Enjoy!

My favorite find of the week. Just for Kindle lovers.

Creative blocks? I have em, you have em. Here’s a toolkit for dealing with them.

Have you reserved your spot yet in the largest online classroom ever? Don’t miss out.

You would never guess that this is done with thread.

Now these are my type of pumpkins!

This just makes my eyes happy.

Looking Back

Do you love sunflowers? This will make you look at them in a whole different way

Things to do with leftover thread (I gotta try this)

In my next life I’m going to do nothing but make felt like this.

Some free masks for photoshopoholics.

I love using sharpies but this is awesome!

And finally – get out of my head! I’ve been obsessed with this video and this song all week.

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The perils of working intuitively

Posted on September 27, 2011 by Linda Matthews

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

I am finished now, but that was a long day. It was eleven days ago in fact. But here it is finished, my latest art bag, Lavender Crush.

Handbag: Art Bag

It’s difficult photographing this style bag because of the shape, and it was kind of challenging photographing this color because blue/purple doesn’t photograph well with my little Canon Powershot. Add to that I’m photographically challenged anyway. I was lucky the photo turned out as good as it did.

Handbag: Art Bag

I love the texture – and the color!

Handbag: Art Bag

So what happened to delay things?

Two little words.

What if?

I was originally going to use the same design as this art bag, but at the last minute thought – what if I turned this bag into a handbag instead of a clutch; what if I used some chain for the handle. I think that could be kind of exciting.

And it was. Kind of.

After spending too many hours (I’m ashamed to admit it but I fiddled with this for two days) trying to figure out a way to cut a round hole through the bag opening which is made up of two layers of fabric, two layers of heavyweight interfacing, one layer of Peltex, and one layer of 2-ply chipboard, I decided this called for new hole punching tools! I love new tools! (Waiting for tools to arrive – five days)
Update: For anyone looking for these, I got them here on amazon.com. If you scroll through the pricing, you’ll find them quite cheap. I was concerned about the cheap price, but when using on fabric, they work just fine.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KE17JO (not an affiliate link)

Hollow Punch

A trip to the store to get some grommets and some chain for the handle. (one day)

Another trip to the store to the store to return those grommets because they didn’t fit, and pick up a different type as well as some new chain because I wasn’t sure I like the first choice. (one day)

Finally happy with the grommet.

Handbag: Art Bag

Note to self …

Get rid of “lady” hammer which is only good for pounding thumb tacks.

Handbag: Art Bag

Use a “man” hammer instead. And an anvil instead of the floor.

Handbag: Art Bag

Then another trip to the store to get another different chain for the handle. (one day)

After settling on the first chain (sigh), it’s done! Finally!

Handbag: Art Bag

If I had decided to go with my original design plan, this whole process would have taken only a few days. Instead it took about two weeks.

Was it worth it? Of course.

Working with a process such as this – slow work – generally does not provide instant gratification which is what most of us are used to. Instead it brings gratification of a different kind which touches you on a much deeper and less superficial level. Following your intuition is often about taking the road less traveled and learning new things (and sometimes finding new tools!) along the way. It’s what defines you as an artist.

The “what if” scenario can be fun and exciting, but do be prepared to have patience.

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