This blog records my experiments and successes with fabric and fibers, surface design, stitching, weaving, photography and whatever else strikes my fancy. Enjoy ...
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Progress on the Bonfire Block
I finally did the thread painting on the FIRE. This technique uses "flames" of sheers laid atop a base fabric. Then it's topped with netting or tulle. In this case I used black tulle. Even though it's sheer, it gives a smoky look to the flames.
It's interesting to see how different colors of tulle bring out different colors in what's underneath ... It would be worth experimenting with. I even purchased some gold tulle, but the black had already been placed. And when I tried to remove it to audition the gold, all my perfectly placed flames came with it. So I kept the black ...
For the thread painting, I "rolled-my-own" varigated embroidery thread. In this case, red, orange and yellow reflect the hot colors of fire. Once the tulle is stitched down, everything holds together nicely. It's a relatively hassle-free way to applique. I like to back these kinds of applique pieces with black fabric. When I cut it out, I leave a little of the black at the edges (1/8 inch, or so) This helps to set it off on the background.
I also chose the background fabrics. The next step is to applique the fire and wood onto the background with invisible thread.
These original pieces always take 3 times as long as I think they should. There's no picture on the pattern to follow. It just takes a while longer to get it from my head, to the fabric ... As Marilyn F. says, things have to simmer a while ...
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2 comments:
Wow! What a great effect with all fo the sheers and the different threads.
The "Bonfire Block" is beautiful. I'd like it here, warming up my apartment.
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