Beginner's - ArtTrader Magazine

Art TRADER
m a g a z i n e
But what do I do with it?
Although a sewing machine is extremely useful (so useful that
I have seven, all the way from my Gran’s treadle machine to a
computerized all singing, all dancing, treasure!), having a sewing
machine is not essential. You can create a fabric collage card
using gel medium on a card base (see Collage Tangled at bottom)
and add in other media such as paper and paint or stamps. To
try this, just think of fabric in the same way you would if you
were going to collage with paper. Many printed fabrics can make
interesting collages by virtue of the prints themselves, such as
the landscape card shown here at right.
If you have access to a sewing machine, then the possibilities are
endless! You can embellish the existing fabric with stitching, either
straight stitching or pre-programmed stitches if your machine has
them. You can stitch around the existing image on the fabric.
This can be especially effective if quilting batting is used under
the fabric; it almost makes a sculpted card.
Fabric collage can also be done using stitching to anchor the
fabric as in this card where the poppies are held down with zig
zag stitches. The Poppies card shown here (at right) was done
using free motion stitching where the feed dogs have been
lowered and the fabric is moved by your hands rather than the
machine pulling the fabric through using the feed dogs. For more
information on free motion stitching or thread-painting see the
excellent article by Cathy Greene in ArtTrader Mag, issue four.
Even if you only feel confident enough to stitch in a straight line
you can create a lovely ATC using straight stitches, and built-in
stitches if your machine has them.
Ribbons can be added as well as fancy yarn and other threads.
You can, of course, hand stitch on fabric! Beads and sequins can
be added, as well as other embellishments such as rhinestones,
fancy threads, and charms. Your inspiration can come from the
same place as when you create other cards or it can come from
the fabric itself.
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