Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Painting fusible web

Today, my aim was to get my goldfinch piece quilted so that I can take it downtown to the shop with me tomorrow. I like to have a bit of hand stitching to work on.
First though, I wanted to try adding a bit of a technique that I've read about here and there-- painting on fusible web. Of course I dove right in and added it to my little art quilt without even trying a sample. It's my version of living on the edge!
I painted a couple of scraps of paper backed fusible using Dye-na-flow inks and a bit of fabric paint. As you can see it kind of beads up as it dries.

Then, on the paper side I traced leaf shapes and cut them out.

You lay them fusible side down on the quilt top, cover with a pressing sheet, and iron. Of course I had no idea what it would look like. I found it to be very plasticky looking, so I used parchment paper and ironed over it a bit which removed some of the glue. Then, I placed some green foiling on top and very lightly pressed for a shiny accent. I didn't want too much of it.
I added just a touch of 3 small leavers below the finch and then larger ones to the pieced silk in the border which you can see in the first picture below.
Finally, I did the machine quilting. If you look closely, you'll see all the threads which I've left to give me something to do at the shop tomorrow. I've been in the habit of pulling them through to the back and knotting them off rather than simply cutting them.

I may add a wee bit of hand stitching, but I'm not sure. It doesn't seem to need much more.
I think I'd like to add a few musical notes because I listen to them sing often while I'm sewing. It's finally cooled enough to have the window open for a bit if a breeze. I face my back yard as I sew. I can hear the birds, see my garden and watch the clothes flutter in the breeze. That is happiness for me!

8 comments:

sherry said...

nice work...nice to see the laundry drying in the breeze...somewhat of a lost art form

Margaret said...

A very pretty piece, Holly! I've found that the results one can get with painted fusible depend on a variety of things -- including the quality of the paint used (too much water and it doesn't adhere well), the quality and age of the fusible web, and the type of fabric. I've had mixed results, but I certainly like your leaves! :-)

Jennifer Scantlebury Vienneau said...

Great piece, Holly! And your idea of happiness sounds good to me!

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

You do the most interesting things Holly!!

elle said...

What a great happy place! The little hanging looks great in your happy spot and adds its own joy!

~Carla~ said...

Wow.. that's really unique & different! :) Love it!

reginag said...

Would be nice to have that in front of your site. http://web-op.com/

pembrokeshire lass said...

So pretty. I don't have the patience to do something like this but really enjoy seeing what others do! Joan