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Archive - May 2006

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Grass 2 - Fused

Grass 2 - Fused

Grass - the B Side.

  • By Claire at 2006-05-31 22:05
  • 86 reads

Grass - Cutting

Grass - Cutting

Cutting the applique with my new Fiskars Scissors

  • By Claire at 2006-05-31 22:05
  • 58 reads

Grass - Tracing image

Grass - Tracing image

Tracing image onto the fusible web backing paper

  • By Claire at 2006-05-31 22:04
  • 64 reads

Fusible Web - Oh How I Love Thee

My friend Monica emailed me today and asked how I get my images onto fabric, so I thought I'd provide a little info here for those who have never used or heard of fusible web.

Fusible web is an iron on glue which can be used to stick pieces of fabric together,  it is flexible and has a strong enough bond to keep most bits in place until the piece is quilted.  It comes attached to a backing sheet which is very similar to baking paper.

 

 I use a product sold as Vliesofix in Australia.  I believe it is also sold as WunderUnder in the USA.  I noticed another product being sold in Spotlight, but it looked thick and stiff so I have never tried it.

I trace the image onto the backing sheet while it is still attached to the fusible web.
 

 
Leaving the backing paper on, I then iron the fusible web to the fabric.

Then I start cutting along the lines traced onto the backing paper. 


 
At this point I invite you to admire my new Fiskars Scissors :-).  They are a joy to use - no more hand cramps

These grass inspired pieces are actually reverse appliqued.  This means that the top fabric is cut away to reveal the fabric underneath.  The Dredger, on the other hand, was appliqued so all the bits were cut out then arranged onto the background fabric.  For this piece I decided to go this way because I didn't want to be handling long wisps of fabric which can get out of shape easily (often being cut on the bias).  

Once everything is cut, I peel the backing paper off.  Then I spent a lot of time  (like an hour even for this small piece) arranging the top fabric so all the design is positioned correctly.  This is very important for these pieces where there are strong lines crossing and a combination of postitive and negative bits.  I think I was scooting bits of fabric by a fraction of a millimetre in the end.

When I am happy, I set the iron to cotton, turn the steam off then lightly press the iron down onto the fabric so as not to disturb the pieces.  Once everything is stuck I then give it a few shots of steam :-)

This is Side B for the handbag.

 Just as gruesome as Side A.

Fusible Web

Fusible Web

Fusible web rocks my world

  • By Claire at 2006-05-31 22:04
  • 42 reads

May 31st

Grass - Fused

Grass - Fused

Grass - Reverse appliqued

  • By Claire at 2006-05-30 22:02
  • 70 reads

Grass - Simplified

Grass - Simplified

The grass photo has been abstracted on the computer.

  • By Claire at 2006-05-30 21:44
  • 45 reads

Grass

I felt this photo had some potential to provide me with some interesting lines.

 

I found the look of this to be very pleasing.  The interaction of the lines are complex enough to be interesting but simple enough to have impact.

I came across the red in my 'box-o-fabrics' and had to use it.  The beige provided me with enough contrast to make the lines pop.  The thought also crossed my mind that the combination could end up looking like a fresh wound, and as I was listening to a Nick Cave album at the time I HAD to go with this combination ;-).

This will form one side of a new handbag - the image on the other side will be from a photo of the same grass taken at a slightly different angle.  It didn't occur to me until after the fusing that I probably don't want to have a predominantly beige handbag, I'll finish it though.  Perhaps I'll change my mind.

I need to spend some serious time over the next few months replenishing my photographic reserves.  Over the years I have built up a huge photo library (photos I have taken), they have been an excellent source material for me and now I know what I am looking for, I think I'll be able to focus on obtaining images which will be of use to me for my quilts. 

A few weeks ago I was feeling down about my use of photographs and photoshop.  I was thinking that to be authentic I should be drawing all my imagery by hand, from life.  I now realise this is total bullshit.  I take the photos, I go through hundreds of images before I find one that actually works.  I sit there filtering on the computer until I get the what I need and I translate this into textile.   My decisions, my aesthetic and, in the end, my personal vision.

So I told myself to get over it.  And I have :-)  Which is just as well because I'll be giving an artist's talk in a few weeks (at the Fabricate exhibition) and no one wants to listen to a faker LOL.

I hate to do this, but could sombody please leave a comment on my blog, even to say hi.  It has been many weeks since I have recieved any comments and I'm wondering if anyone is still reading.  (or if my spam filter is being too enthusiastic again).