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textile art techniques: 5 Free Fiber art and Fabric art projects 1

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TexTile ArT Techniques
for quilTers:
5

Free Fiber Art
& Fabric Art Projects
1
All About Dimension: Making 3-D
Floral Embellishments and Brooches
DiAne nuez
2
Feathering the Nest:
Build a Three-Dimensional Collage
with Scavenged Studio Scraps
ViVikA HAnsen Denegre
3
Starry, Starry Night Scented
Dream Pillows
JeAnell MccAll
4
Collaged Art Maps from
Fabric, Paint, and Thread
VAlerie gooDwin
5
5-Day Quilt Challenge:
Creating Art on a Whim
leilAni Pierson
1
4
2
3
5
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There are so many beautiful fabrics and
fbers in the world, why limit yourself to
making quilts with them? No reason at all!
Especially when you have this free eBook,
Textile Art Techniques for Quilters: 5 Free Fiber
Art and Fabric Art Projects.
This free ebook gives
you fve of our most
popular ideas and
projects for turning
your fat quarters, fabric
scraps, and fber odds
and ends into fabric wall
art, 3-D quilts, and other
fabric crafts.
In All About Dimension: Making 3-D
Floral Embellishments and Brooches, Diane
Nunez shows how you can make wall quilts
and jewelry with beautiful fber art fowers
made of fabric, metal mesh, buttons, and
beads.
I hope youll enjoy my technique that uses
dimension to create textile art by using fabric
scraps, fbers, and even leftover threads
in Feathering the Nest: Build a Three-
Dimensional Collage with Scavenged Studio
Scraps. Let the fber art wall hangings stand
alone or turn them into framed quilts.
Jeanell McCalls Starry, Starry Night Scented
Dream Pillows are mini machine-felted
TexTi le ArT
Techni ques
for qui lTers:
5 Free Fiber Art
AnD FAbric Art
ProJects
ediTor Vivika hanson denegre
ediTor cate coulacos Prato
creative services
diVision ArT direcTor larissa davis
PhoTogrAPhers larry stein
Projects and information are for inspira-
tion and personal use only. interweave
Press LLc is not responsible for any li-
ability arising from errors, omissions, or
mistakes contained in this eBook, and
readers should proceed cautiously, espe-
cially with respect to technical information.
interweave grants permission to pho-
tocopy any patterns published in this
issue for personal use only.
in your life
texture
put
more
THE embellishment ISSUE
explore
ovra-vur-vor
embe|||sbments
moar vunn
30
gorgeous
QUILTS
for inspiration
Bead it! Paint it!
Felt it! Color it!
800.406.5283 (U.S. & Canada)
760.291.1519 (International)
quiltingarts.com
Quilting Arts MAgAzine

, P.O. Box 469087, Escondido, CA 92046-9350


Quilting Arts MAgAzine

explores ideas, textiles, and techniques


related to embellished and contemporary art quilting. Inside,
youll find design inspiration, step-by-step directions, gorgeous
photo graphy, and motivation for developing your personal style, at
all skill levels.
quilts with herbs tucked into a secret pocket
for sweet dreams. Used alone, the fber
collage centerpieces can be used as coasters.
Change the dimensions, and they make a
wonderful fabric postcard.
With the pervasiveness of GPS technology,
fewer people are using paper maps. But
that just makes fber art map making all the
more appealing! In Collaged Art Maps from
Fabric, Paint, and Thread, Valerie Goodwin
shows how to make a mixed-media fabric
collage maps that show the way to a very
personal landscape.
Finally, have some spontaneous dimensional
textile art fun with Leilani Piersons 5-Day
Quilt Challenge: Creating Art on a Whim.
This free-form fabric art challenge presents
an adventure in fber art projects.
The fabric crafts in Textile Art Techniques
for Quilters: 5 Free Fiber Art and Fabric Art
Projects can take as much or as little time as
you want to spend. And each one teaches
you fber art techniques that you can use
alone or in your next quilt.
Warmly,

ViVikA HAnsen Denegre
Editor
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These dimensional fowers are a very
easy project and can be completed
quicklymost of the items in the
materials list are probably already in
your stash. You can create brooches
with the fowers, turn them into
free-standing fowers for decoration,
or use this technique to add
dimension to your quilts in another
waylet your imagination guide you.
M
y quilts are all about color and dimension. I love
to create sculptural elements, and Ive found the
perfect material for this purpose: a wireform mesh. My
husband is a sculptor so the mesh has always been in
the house. This material helps the fabric retain its shape
and, once Ive formed a sandwich with fabric, mesh, and
batting, the piece can easily be manipulated.
All AbouT dimension
MAking 3-d florAl
eMbellishMenTs & brooches by DiAne nez
AdApted froM
Quilting Arts MAgAzine
June/July 2010
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mesh,
machines,
and more
I have never had a problem machine
stitching through mesh (and I use
many different brands of sewing
machines). Since the mesh is covered
with fabric, the bed of the machine
does not get scratched, and the mesh is
thin enough that the needle pierces it
very easily; I have yet to break a needle.
While a regular sewing machine
needle can be used, I usually try to
match the needle to the fabric and
thread. Because I use hand-dyed or
commercial batik fabrics with a tighter
weave and higher thread count, I prefer
a Microtex Sharp size 90 needle.
Believe it or not, I use a rotary cutter
to cut the mesh without any adverse
reaction to the blade. At this point,
I have a designated rotary cutter for
cutting mesh. Scissors also work, but
a cleaner cut is achieved with a rotary
cutter.
Previous page: Vertigo III 8
1

2
"11" 1
3

4
" The fower forms are hand
sewn onto the base and help to add texture to the quilt. I suffer from vertigo,
and this quilt is part of a series depicting what I see when I experience an
episode: colors are constantly whirling and spinning by. Amaco WireForm
Contour Mesh, Amaco WireForm Sparkle Mesh, hand-dyed and commercial
fabric, batting, and thread; wholecloth quilt, machine quilted, covered with
Sparkle Mesh, and
further embellished.
Left: Detail of
Thinking of Spring
(full quilt shown
on next page)
M A T e r I A l S
Amaco

WireForm Contour
Mesh-aluminum
1

16
" pattern (I
recommend the 10' 20" roll; the
product also comes in a folded
9" 12" sheet, but that is too small
for this project.)
Fabric of your choice (You can use
plain, pieced, or fused fabric.)
Low-loft cotton batting (I use Warm
and Natural

batting.)
Cutting mat
Rotary cutters: 1 for fabric,
1 for for metal (Either dedicate a
new blade, or use one that is no
longer working well for fabric.)
Quilting ruler
Scissors
Marking pencil
Iron and ironing board
Temporary, repositionable spray
glue (I use 505

Spray and Fix from


J.T. Trading.)
Newspaper or other cover to
protect your surface while using
the spray glue
Sewing machine and thread
Sewing machine needle to
correspond with your thread and
fabric (I prefer Schmetz Microtex
Sharp needles.)
Button with 4 holes
Beads, 4 bugle and 4 seed
1
1

2
" pin back
Backing material, such as felt,
leather, or double-sided stiff
interfacing (I use fast2fuse

.)
Hand-sewing needles and thread
Hot glue gun and glue
Thinking of Spring 8
1

2
" 11" 1
3

4
" This is a wholecloth quilt with added elements that give the viewer something to look at and question.
Amaco WireForm Contour Mesh, hand-dyed and commercial fabric, yarn, batting, thread, beads, and buttons.
textile art techniques: 5 Free Fiber art and Fabric art projects 5
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Beware that bending, folding, or
stitching the product too many times
in the same place may make it too
brittle, leading it to crack. I have yet
to have that happen, but I guess if it
does, you have a design opportunity.
directions
For one fower
make the
fabricstrip
1. Cut a 1
1

4
"-wide strip of mesh
along the width of the roll to
end up with a strip that is
1
1

4
"20".
Note:You can use other widths to
create your fower; simply determine
what width you would prefer before you
cut, and adjust the cutting dimensions
of the remaining materials (fabric and
batting) to correspond to this width.
Caution:Be careful when handling
mesh during and after cutting it. Mesh
edges can be rough, so be sure not to
poke yourself or snag your clothing.
2. Cut the batting to the same length
and width as the mesh.
3. Cut the fabric to 3
1

4
" 22" (twice
the width of the mesh plus
3

4
").
lay your fabric strip on the ironing
board and turn in
1

4
" along the
length of one long edge; press to
the wrong side.
4. Cover part of your work surface
with newspaper or another type of
disposable material. (It is safe to
use newspaper; the fabric will not
be on it long enough for the ink to
transfer.) lay the batting down and
spray both sides with temporary
spray glue.
Caution:If you have any type of
allergy or asthma problem, use a glue
stick in place of the spray glue.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
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Figure 4
Figure 5
5. Place the fabric strip on a clean
countertop, with the folded-over
edge facing up. Center the batting
on the fabric strip (measuring from
the folded edge), and lightly press
it with your fngers to temporarily
adhere it to the fabric. Press the
mesh on top of the batting so that
it adheres. (Figure 1)
6. Working again on your covered
surface, spray the mesh and the
wrong side of the fabric, then move
these materials back to your clean
work surface.
7. Fold the fabric on all edges to
encase the batting and mesh,
forming a sandwich with the raw
edges on the inside. Start with the
short edges and end with the
non-raw edge that was folded
down in Step 3. (Figure 2)
8. Now you are ready to take your
fabric-wrapped strip to the sewing
machine. Stitch the entire piece,
in any manner you desire, in order
to secure the layers together;
free-motion, straight, zigzag, or
decorative stitches all work, but
try not to use dense stitching.
(Figure 3) Bear in mind that this
piece is double sided and both
sides will be visible. I usually use
the same thread in the top and
bobbin, but not always. Both solid
and variegated threads work well.
You can also hand stitch with
decorative threads and/or yarn.
Note:Stitches do not always lie well on
top of the mesh; this is not your sewing
machine making a bad stitch. Just go
for it, experiment, and decide what you
want to do.
make the flower
1. Once the stitching is complete, roll
the fabric strip, beginning at one
of the short ends. It can be twisted,
This Buds for You 12" 9
1

2
" 1
1

2
" This piece depicts an abstract garden scene. The dimensional elements were created, and then stitched by
either hand or machine onto the base. Amaco WireForm Contour Mesh, beads, thread, yarn, zipper, and repurposed bottle cap; free-motion stitched
on hand-dyed and commercial fabric, strip pieced along the bottom.
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Figure 6
Figure 8
Figure 7
Figure 9
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squished, and/or manipulated into
a fower shape of your choosing.
(Figure 4) Be sure to leave enough
room in the center to insert a
button or beads to form the fower
head and stamen. Once formed,
the fower can be anchored along
the bottom by hand sewing
(Figure 5), or you can wait until
you have completed steps 24,
and then secure the fower shape
with glue.
2. Cut a base from fast2fuse, felt, or
leather. If youre using fast2fuse,
cover both sides with fabric before
cutting. Your base can be a circle,
a square, or a freeform shape. I
zigzag the edges of the base to
fnish them.
3. Add the pin back to the base; it can
be sewn or glued on. Position it
approximately
1

3
of the way down
from the top, so that the brooch
will hang properly. (Figure 6)
4. Choose a button with 4 holes. Sew
a single seed bead to the top of
each of 4 bugle beads, and thread
them through the buttonholes.
Wire could also be used to create
fower stamens; be creative and see
what you have around the house.
(Figure 7)
5. Sew or hot glue the fower shape
to the base. (Figure 8) Use a hot
glue gun to attach the button/bead
base creation to the bottom of your
fower; it should be centered and
visible in the middle of the fower.
(Figure 9)
Tip:At this point, the fabric can be
manipulated further to change the shape
of the fower, but do not play too much;
the mesh may become brittle and start to
poke through the fabric.
6. Pin your brooch onto your
clothing and enjoy wearing it!
dianenunez.com
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feAThering The nest
build A Three-diMensionAl collAge
wiTh scAVenged sTudio scrAPs
by ViVikA HAnsen Denegre
AdApted froM
Quilting Arts MAgAzine
April/MAy 2011

U
n
t
i
t
l
e
d


4
"


4
"
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every spring I enjoy watching the
birds in my backyard as they collect
building material for their nests. The
robins, in particular, actively seek out
just the right blades of grass and the
softest fbers. They keep going back to
the ground, searching for the perfect
pieces to make their homes just right.
Ive started a fun tradition. All winter
long I save the tiny scraps of colored
thread I snip at my sewing machine
and, when spring arrives, I throw
them outside for the birds to use in
their homes. The results are beautiful:
gray sticks, brown grass, and velvety
leaves woven together with the red
rayon and golden fber scraps I would
have tossed away. The birds artful
creations have inspired my newest
works.
directions
1. Create the base for your collage by
attaching the background fabric to
the stabilizer with a glue stick.
2. Cut an oval about
1

2
" smaller than
your desired nest size from dark
fabric to use as the bottom of the
nest. Glue it in place; then press
the piece with a hot iron.
3. lay a few scraps of fabric (no
shorter than 3") in a pile on
your cutting surface. Using a
rotary cutter and a ruler, slice
them julienne style into slivers
approximately
1

8
" wide.
4. Cut pieces of thread and yarn in
various lengths and mix them
together with the fabric slivers.
5. Set your sewing machine to a
narrow zigzag and lower the
feed dogs. Arrange the slivers
around the edge of the nest base
and tack them in place with the
machine. Dont cut the threads on
the bottom or top unless they are
visible, as they help keep the nest
pieces in place. Twist and tuck the
ends as necessary, and use tiny
drops of glue if needed.
6. Free cut a fabric branch to
support the nest. Position the
branch as desired, and secure it in
place by stitching along the edges
of the branch.
l
ike most avid quilt artists, my studio is full of stuff.
Piles of fabric, stacks of cigar boxes, rows of buttons,
tubes of paint, and shelves of books line every wall.
But in between the obligatory art supplies and the
many quilts I am creating are vignettes of inspiration.
A miniature glass vase holds feathers from a downy
woodpecker. large pieces of driftwood cradle tiny nests
from the sparrows and wrens that eat at my feeders.
Cellophane bags encase dried specimens of dragonfies
and butterfy wings. I just cant get enough nature
around me; I love to bring it inside for inspiration.
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7. embellish your collage with leaves,
shreds of paper, hand stitching,
small fowers, and beads as desired
(see embellishment Tips).
8. Cut out a few fabric eggs and
arrange them in the nest.
Dimension can be added by placing
a layer of batting underneath the
egg, or by covering an egg-shaped
piece of batting entirely with cloth
before tacking it in place.
9. Using a fne-tip permanent
marker, add speckles or cracks to
the eggs after they have been sewn
in place.
10. Frame the piece behind an
acid-free mat board in a deep
shadowbox frame.
vdenegre@interweave.com
embellishment

tips

remember, leaves dont have to


be green and they dont need to
be fat. Fold bits of fabric to mimic
a bent leaf or branch. Use wire
leaves from vintage hats to create
movement, or try bending wire
ribbon to mimic a leaf and add
depth.

consider adding an element of


surprise to your piece. some birds
scavenge bits of newsprint to use
in their nests, and you can, too.
torn paper and slivers of vintage
text add interest and hidden
messages in your collage creations.
Weave them in at the end of the
process and secure them with
glue.
Right: Untitled 4
1

2
" 4
1

2
"
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starry night
fiber art
You can use a variety of techniques to
create the Starry Night fber art piece
for your dream pillow, such as needle
felting, appliqu, fabric painting,
or thread painting. No matter what
technique you choose, this is a great
opportunity to use your scraps and
create a special gift for yourself or a
lucky friend. The instructions that
follow are for a needle-felted center,
as in my fnished pillow, but samples
made using alternate methods are also
shown. These center pieces can even
double as coasters.
starry,
starry night
scenTed dreAM Pillow
T
his is a pillow to dream with, one that promises sweet sleep and
delicious smells. Its also fun to create; soothing scents make it a
calming project. A combination of herbs is tucked inside a secret pocket
to ensure pleasant, restful dreams.
M A T e r I A l S
for Starry Night Fiber Art
Finished size: 65" 50"
Small amounts of nylon, chiffon,
cotton, satin, and ribbon
Cotton batting, or acrylic or wool
felt, 6" 6" piece (I used Warm &
Natural

cotton batting.)
Cotton fabric for backing, 5" 5"
piece (I used magenta.)
Needle-felting machine
Sewing machine with a darning foot
and coordinating thread
Embroidery needle and thread
Beads, beading needle, and thread
Scissors
by JeAnelle MccAll
AdApted froM
Quilting Arts MAgAzine
deceMber 2009/JAnuAry 2010
Starry Starry Night Dream Pillow
14" 7"
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directions
Note:The following instructions are
specifc to the fabrics and fbers that I
used. Feel free to vary them depending
on your personal preference.
1. Cover the batting with a piece of
light blue cotton fabric. With a
needle-felting machine, felt this
base piece.
Note:If you do not have a
needle-felting machine, you can hand
felt using a hand-felting needle and a
small block of upholstery foam.
2. Slowly felt a medium-sized piece of
blue/purple chiffon onto the base
in a large swirling motion, leaving
unfelted areas where the light blue
will show through.
3. Felt three white chiffon circles
onto the base; make sure that one
circle is larger than the others.
4. Felt strips of dark blue/purple and
deep red fabrics, accentuating the
swirling motion.
5. Free-motion stitch all over the
piece with a dark blue metallic
thread, in keeping with the
swirling motion.
6. Accent your piece with a little
hand embroidery and add some
sparkly beads. Make sure you dont
place any beading within
3

4
" of
the outer edges. Trim the piece to
5"5".
7. With the right sides facing, sew
your fnished piece to the magenta
cotton fabric using a
1

8
" seam
allowance. Watch out for the
beads! Trim the corners and cut
a small slit in the center of the
magenta cotton. Turn the piece
right-side out through the slit,
push the corners out, and slip
stitch the slit closed. Finger press
the edges to fnish.
COlOr
considerations
FOr YOUr PI llOW
Choose any color combination you
like for the fber art piece in the center
of your pillow. To make your pillow
as dreamy as possible, consider the
meanings of these colors.
Blue: youth, spirituality, truth,
peace, calm
PurPle: royalty, magic, mystery
Green: life, nature, fertility,
well-being
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dream pillow
There are many ways to make these
little pillows, but this version has
proven to be one of my favorites.
Who knows, maybe the fringed edges
are secret quality-control flters that
ensure beautiful dreams.
directions
1. Turn each edge of the magenta
cotton fabric under
1

4
", and then
another
1

4
", and press. With
matching thread, and using a scant
1

4
" seam allowance, sew around all
sides.
2. Place the strips of
coordinating fabric lengthwise
along the magenta piece to form
the fringe. Sew each strip into
place with a single lengthwise line
of stitching, leaving a loose tail on
each end.
3. Center the fringed magenta piece
on the right side of one piece of
the white dupioni silk and pin it in
place. With coordinating thread,
attach the magenta piece to the
dupioni by sewing
1

4
" from the
edge on all sides. Make sure your
fringe remains free.
4. Center your Starry Night art piece
on the fringed piece and pin it in
place. Attach by sewing either by
hand or machine approximately
1

8
" from the edge around three
sides of your art piece. leave the
top open to form a pocket. Make
sure you dont sew over any beads.
5. Pin the two pieces of white
dupioni together, right sides
facing, and sew using a
1

2
" seam
allowance. leave a 4" opening on a
short side of the pillow for turning
and stuffng. remove the pins.
Trim the corners at a 45 angle,
turn the pillow right-side out, and
gently push the corners out.
6. Stitch
1

4
" from the edge along the
short side of the pillow that doesnt
have the stuffng opening, then
stitch again 1
1

2
" from the edge. Be
careful not to stitch the fringe.
7. Stuff your pillow through the
opening. Be sure not to overstuff.
Turn the opening in
1

2
" and fnger
press. Finish the same as you did
for the opposite end: sew
1

4
" from
the edge, then 1
1

2
" from the edge.
M A T e r I A l S
for Dream Pillow
Fiber art piece (see Starry Night
Fiber Art)
White dupioni silk, two 8" 15"
pieces
Fabrics that coordinate with your
fnished fber art piece, 9 strips
1

2
" 10
1

2
" (torn for a frayed edge)
Cotton fabric (magenta or any color
that coordinates with your chosen
fabrics), 5
3

4
" 7
3

4
"
Stuffng
Sewing machine and coordinating
thread
Scissors
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dreamy
herbal sachet
directions
1. Stamp, embroider, or embellish
the front half of the loosely woven
fabric. Fold the fabric in half
with right sides together so it is
approximately 3" 3", and stitch
along the raw edges using a
1

4
"
seam allowance, leaving a small
opening for turning and adding
your dried herbs.
2. Turn the sachet right-side out and
fll it approximately
3

4
full with
herbs. Turn the open edges in
1

4
",
fnger press, and stitch closed.
3. Insert your herbal sachet into the
pocket between your Starry Night
fber art piece and pillow.
fvespoongallery.com
SACheT recipe
Growing herbs in your garden is an
inexpensive way to have a plentiful
supply on hand. For the Dreamy
Herbal Sachet, I usually use a mixture
of dried herbs that is 4 parts lavender,
1 part rosemary, and 1 part spearmint.
Sometimes I like to add a few drops
of essential oil of lavender to help
preserve the aroma. Another one of
my favorite combinations is 1 part
rosemary, 1 part lemon verbena, and
2 parts pine needles. You can also
make a new sachet with a different
combination of herbs or, if you are
allergic to these herbs, tuck
dream-related notes into the secret
pocket instead.
Here is a short list of herbs and their
effects on dreams and sleep.
Basil: ensures protection and psychic
dreams
Bay: generates clairvoyance and
wisdom
Chamomile: provides peaceful sleep
lavender: aids with peaceful sleep
and clairvoyant dreams
mint: adds alertness and vividness to
dreams
rosemary: prevents nightmares and
headaches
rose: promises peaceful sleep, happy
dreams, and clairvoyance
M A T e r I A l S
for Dreamy Herbal Sachet
Loosely woven fabric, 3" 612"
piece
Dried herbs: 4 parts lavender, 1
part rosemary, 1 part spearmint
(see Sachet Recipe)
Sewing machine and coordinating
thread
Scissors
optional
Embellishments
Embroidery supplies
Rubber stamp
Ink pad
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Its fun to design and create small,
collaged art maps using a variety of
materials such as fabric, paint, and
thread. In this article, I explain how
I made an 8
1

2
" 11" fber art map
of a popular park in my hometown
of Tallahassee, Florida. My process
involves making a composition of the
roads as lines, and areas of the place
as shapes. Youll learn to combine
shape, color, and form to create a
very personal landscape. Think about
how much fun it would be to create
a map based on a road trip you took
or where you lived as a child. What
collAged
art maps
froM fAbric, PAinT, & ThreAd
by VAlerie s. gooDwin
M
aps are fascinating to
me! They can show you
the big picture of how different
parts are related and organized.
They can help reveal the history,
stories, legends, and traditions of
a place. As a child I would pore
over maps. I was most attracted
to their beauty, especially those I
came across that were so lovingly
rendered. The artistic use of lines,
shapes, and color always held
my attention. So, it comes as no
surprise to me that my most recent
work has been directly inspired by
real landscapes and maps of actual
places. Over the last year I have
made many pieces based on local
places in my hometown and other
locations in the United States and
abroad.
AdApted froM
Quilting Arts MAgAzine
februAry/MArch 2011
Lake Ella IV 10" 8"
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about making a fabric map called Are
We There Yet?, or one that explores
the Seven Wonders of the World?
directions
create a pattern
1. Find the map(s) you want to work
from. Make sure it has enough
information about the location. For
my art map I found an aerial view
and a street map of the location.
enlarge or reduce your source
material to the desired size.
2. Print out your map(s) and make 1
or more 8
1

2
" 11" tracings of the
essential information you want to
include. For my lake ella art map,
I made 2 tracings: 1 of the streets
and 1 of the lake and buildings.
(Figure 1) I thought it was
important to limit the amount of
information I would show, because
of its scale. If the map had focused
on the lake area, then I would have
included more detail. I usually do
my tracing on top of a light box,
sometimes switching colors and
line weights to designate different
types of information.
make stencils
1. Print a few copies of your traced
pattern(s) onto 8
1

2
" 11"
cardstock.
2. Make stencils by using an X-ACTO
knife to cut out the outlined
elements. I made 2 stencils: 1
for the roads and 1 for the lake
and buildings. (Figure 2) When
complete, set them aside.
create the
background
1. Think of the background as the
layer that represents an abstraction
of the earths surface.
2. To set up the base layer, start with
a 9" 12" (just a bit bigger than
the fnished size of 8
1

2
" 11")
piece of crinoline or buckram.
I use these materials because
M A T e r I A l S
Tracing paper
Permanent marker
Pencil
Cardstock, 8
1

2
" 11"
X-ACTO

knife and blades


Rotary cutting supplies (mat,
gridded acrylic ruler, rotary cutter)
Inexpensive paintbrushes: foam, 1"
fat art brush, house painters brush
Foam stencil brushes
Inexpensive sponge
Mistyfuse

(white)
Tefon

sheet
Fabric paints
Small, sharp fabric scissors
Thread for machine sewing
Pins
Needles for hand sewing
Plastic cups or plates for mixing
paints
Inexpensive rubber gloves
Sewing machine with free-motion
foot
Thimble
Fabric for base, such as crinoline or
buckram
Hand-dyed solid fabrics for
background (light, medium, and
dark muted values)
White silk or off-white organza,
1

2
yard
Digital camera
Photo-editing software
Photo-transfer fabric
Backing fabric
Batting
Optional
Decorative threads for hand sewing

J
a
p
a
n
e
s
e

T
e
a

G
a
r
d
e
n


1
5
"


2
0
"
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of their stiff, yet lightweight,
characteristics. They allow me to
keep this layer stable and fat.
3. Add casually cut shapes of fabric
to the crinoline. Use fabrics that
wont compete with the key
elements of your map design,
such as the roads, buildings, etc. I
recommend using medium-hued
hand-dyed fabrics that remind you
of the earths surface.
4. Play with the arrangement; be sure
to overlap each piece. When you
are satisfed with the arrangement,
pin the fabrics in place. Then stitch
each piece to the background
fabric, either by hand or machine,
leaving the edges raw.
5. layer on a few pieces of
translucent or sheer fabric such as
white or off-white silk organza. Pin
this fabric in place, and then sew
down the exposed edges by hand
or by machine.
6. Apply a neutral-colored,
watered-down fabric paint. The
goal is to add a semi-transparent
layer of paint on parts of the
surface. Do not cover the entire
surface with paint. You want to
allow the fabric to peek through.
Try to partially blend all the
different elements together.
where to find maps

There are many excellent sources for maps. You might try searching the web for
a map of the place you are interested in creating. Sometimes you will fnd a good
tourist map, or an architectural site plan of the place. It will be helpful if you can
locate a source that has both a line drawing and an aerial view of the location.
Figure 2
Figure 1
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add the streets
and buildings
1. To create the streets, use your
street stencil. lightly trace the
stencil in pencil onto the right side
of the earth layer.
2. Using a light colored paint (I
usually use white, off-white, or
gray), fll in the areas that defne
the streets.
3. Using your free-motion foot,
outline the painted streets with
dark thread.
4. To create the buildings, use your
building stencil. Make sure you
have aligned the stencil properly
before you begin. Trace the
outlines, and then fll in the areas
with paint. I recommend using
dark fabric paint to contrast with
the earths surface.
5. Using your free-motion foot,
outline the painted buildings using
light thread.
add the lake
1. Prepare a piece of fabric just a
bit bigger than the shape of the
lake with your favorite fusible
web material. I used a blue fabric,
but you may want to be a bit
more abstract. You could use any
color that will contrast with the
background and work well with
your color scheme.
2. Using a pencil, lightly trace the
lake shape from your stencil onto
the right side of the fabric.
3. Cut out the lake and fuse it in
place on your design.
4. Add texture and detail by sewing
around the edge of the lake area
using a free-motion foot.
add context
Context is a great way to tell the story
of your place. I spent an afternoon
at lake ella and took some pictures.
I wanted my art map to come to life
with images of important architectural
features such as the pavilion and
natural treasures of the site such as the
animals and vegetation.
1. Take digital photos for inclusion in
your art map. Using photo-editing
software, select the relevant parts
of your photos, and print them
onto fabric that has been prepared
for digital printing.
Tip:Print out each element in a variety
of sizes so that you can pick the size that
works best for your composition.
Riverside Settlement 50" 38"
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2. Add fusible web to the back of the
digitally printed fabric. Cut out
the context elements and audition
them on your quilt. When you are
satisfed with the placement, iron
them in place. Stitch down the
edges with invisible thread, leaving
the edges raw.
finishing
1. When you are pleased with your
project, it is time to fnish it off.
Prepare the quilt sandwich by
layering the quilt back (wrong-side
up), a thin piece of batting, and the
quilt top (face up). Carefully press
your quilt top, and baste the layers
together. For an art map this size
I usually machine quilt it using
invisible thread in a simple grid
pattern.
2. Trim and fnish the edges using
your preferred method.
quiltsbyvalerie.com
tips
for creating an art map

Tink about the scale of the map


relative to the size of the piece you
want to create.

contrast is very important.

Keep the overall composition


in mind, especially in terms of
hierarchy.

consider the balance of positive


and negative space.

Make sure the eye will move


around the picture plane.

strive for a sense of balance.

variety is important. You may


want to consider including digital
images of key features of the place.

remember that you are creating


a language of lines, shapes,
and patterns to convey key
information about the place you
are mapping.
i
love a good, arty surprise. Its such fun to choose a vague set of plans
for a particular project, then throw in some happily unexpected
instructions or materials and watch them lead you into a completely new
adventure, with more ideas continually
bursting at the seams.
by leilAni Pierson
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As one of the lead moderators
for an online fber group, I have
the wonderful pleasure of leading
members down this type of rabbit hole
every so often. recently, I came up
with an idea called The Follow Me
Blind 5-Day Challenge, during
which participants would work on
one piece for fve days straight.
Those brave enough to accept this
challenge were to follow every
instruction that I posted online
for them each morning. The key
ingredient was that the participants
had no idea what was coming next,
though many tried to guess. (I must
confess that I wondered on occasion if
I was taking them down the path that
I intended to.) At the end of each day,
participants were to post a photo of
their days work to the photo album of
the group page and wait until morning
for the next set of instructions.
Leilani Pierson
6
1

2
"w 6"h 5
1

2
"d
A 5-day quilt
challenge
creATing ArT on A whiM
AdApted froM
Quilting Arts MAgAzine
februAry/MArch 2010
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heres how this
group challenge
played out:
day one: Participants were told to
create a 9" 7" piece of altered fabric;
they could stamp, dye, color with
water crayons, appliqu, etc.
day two: Participants were
instructed to quilt the altered fabric to
a piece of felt or batting using various
threads. I also added an extra, optional
step: layer organza on top of the quilt
and machine stitch it down with rayon
threads. Then, taking precautions and
working in a well-ventilated area, use
a heat tool to distress and melt parts of
the organza.
day three: This was my favorite
of all the days because it involved
the most unexpected step yet. The
instructions were to carefully cut
up the quilted fabric into at least six
separate pieces. Participants were
encouraged to be creative by cutting
out circles, shapes, waves, etc. After
the pieces were cut apart, they were to
be reassembled into a completely new,
non-rectangular shape. I encouraged
participants to play around until they
were happy with the new shapes
design, and to then stitch it back
together into one whole piece with a
backing fabric behind it.
day Four: This was a breather day
and many were hoping that this
step would show up sooner rather
than later. The instructions were
to embellish the piece using hand
stitching, beads, wire, etc.
At this point, I do believe participants
were expecting Day Fives instructions
to be to simply bind the edges of their
piece and hang it on the wall. But I
felt that would have been much too
predictable and less of an adventure
for them.
Wanda Stivison
5
1

2
"w 5
1

2
"h 4"d
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day Five: Participants were
instructed to fold, bend, tuck,
stretch, and mold their piece into
a three-dimensional vessel or vase.
Once again, I encouraged them to be
creative and to not allow their piece
to look like a normal vase; they could
even cut into it if they needed to.
Once the fabric was shaped, they were
to stitch the piece into its new
three-dimensional form.
Voil! A wild adventure for the
wandering mind resulted in a unique
and fascinating piece of art to use
and/or purely enjoy. What grand
scenery I saw in the participants
fnished pieces.
Try leading your small art group or
blog followers in a blind challenge
and see what takes place. This type of
experience stretches artists technical
abilities in truly meaningful ways.
A handful of my participants were
scared to try some of
the techniques until
they had to. Others
had been hoping
to create a three-
dimensional piece
at some point in
the far future,
and I helped them step into that day
blindfolded. Inspiration abounds
beautifully when players are eager
and willingand how contagious it is
when the adventure is in fber art!
studiogypsy.blogspot.com
Anne Copeland
4"w 8"h 5"d
TIPS FOr leADING
YOUr OWN
blind challenge

Make sure your instructions are clear and concise, and


be available to answer any questions that arise about
that days posting.

always post a picture of your sample piece when giving


the instructions for that day.

Dont be afraid of participants feelings. Not everyone


will like what you instruct them to do; dont let that
stop you from leading them through unchartered,
fascinating territory.

remind participants that this is playtime and not work


time. encourage them with comments about their
pieces.

Be genuinely enthusiastic. Te more excited you are


about leading participants through each days playtime,
the more excited they will become about this crazy
adventure.

always think outside of the box. if participants guess


at whats coming next, tweak it a bit. You want to keep
them on their tippy toes.

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