Beginner's - ArtTrader Magazine
Beginner's - ArtTrader Magazine 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. -16-
Art TRADER m a g a z i n e How to I finish my card? Fabric can fray over time and even if your card was glued to the base, threads can work their way free and you end up with a ratty looking card after a while. My favorite way to finish fabric cards is to use zig-zag stitch around the edges. You will have to practice this to find the best settings for your machine, but as a starting point I usually set the stitch width between 3.5 and 4mm depending upon the card, and the stitch length between 0.5 and 0.2 mm. When the needle is to the right, it should be just off the edge of the fabric. Another way to finish the edges if you don’t want to stitch them is to brush the edges with an acrylic paint such as Jacquard Lumiere. This can give the edges a metallic look too which can be very effective. Conclusion To summarize, to create fabric ATCs: • Think of fabric as just another art media. • If you are going to stitch on the card then a stabilizer is essential; this will stop the fabric puckering as you stitch. • Gel medium works well on fabric. • Practice, practice, practice! So what are you waiting for? What, you really don’t have any fabric at all? No excuse! To get the novices going, I will send the first 6 people who PM me with a 4x6 inch envelope with fabric, stiffener for base, iron-on adhesive, ribbon and yarn to inspire you. Just send a PM to Pippin at ATCsforAll.com. Happy creating! -17-
- Page 1 and 2: ArtTRADER m a g a z i n e PUTTING T
- Page 3 and 4: Art TRADER m a g a z i n e Contribu
- Page 5 and 6: Art TRADER m a g a z i n e Editor
- Page 7 and 8: Art TRADER m a g a z i n e Design 9
- Page 9 and 10: Art TRADER m a g a z i n e Contrast
- Page 11 and 12: Art TRADER m a g a z i n e All scan
- Page 13 and 14: Art TRADER m a g a z i n e Marlene
- Page 15: Art TRADER m a g a z i n e Fabric A
- Page 19 and 20: Art TRADER m a g a z i n e Many of
- Page 21 and 22: Art TRADER m a g a z i n e Wet Penc
- Page 23 and 24: Art TRADER m a g a z i n e Karen Ca
- Page 25 and 26: Art TRADER m a g a z i n e First I
- Page 27 and 28: Art TRADER m a g a z i n e Do you f
- Page 29 and 30: Art TRADER m a g a z i n e Geraldin
- Page 31 and 32: Art TRADER m a g a z i n e Part I:
- Page 33 and 34: Art TRADER m a g a z i n e My rubbe
- Page 35 and 36: Art TRADER m a g a z i n e The card
- Page 37 and 38: Art TRADER m a g a z i n e What the
- Page 39 and 40: Art TRADER m a g a z i n e What is
- Page 41 and 42: Art TRADER m a g a z i n e Has Mail
- Page 43 and 44: Art TRADER m a g a z i n e kate mor
- Page 45 and 46: Art TRADER m a g a z i n e Techniqu
- Page 47 and 48: Art TRADER m a g a z i n e Critique
- Page 49 and 50: Art TRADER m a g a z i n e Preparin
- Page 51 and 52: Art TRADER m a g a z i n e Traders
- Page 53 and 54: Art TRADER m a g a z i n e Addressi
- Page 55 and 56: Art TRADER m a g a z i n e It’s s
- Page 57 and 58: Art TRADER m a g a z i n e Gwen Kit
- Page 59 and 60: Art TRADER m a g a z i n e How to D
- Page 61 and 62: Art TRADER m a g a z i n e Canines
- Page 63 and 64: Art TRADER m a g a z i n e Orange D
- Page 65 and 66: Art TRADER m a g a z i n e Swap Hos
Art TRADER<br />
m a g a z i n e<br />
How to I finish my card?<br />
Fabric can fray over time and even if your card was glued to<br />
the base, threads can work their way free and you end up with<br />
a ratty looking card after a while. My favorite way to finish fabric<br />
cards is to use zig-zag stitch around the edges. You will have to<br />
practice this to find the best settings for your machine, but as a<br />
starting point I usually set the stitch width between 3.5 and 4mm<br />
depending upon the card, and the stitch length between 0.5 and<br />
0.2 mm. When the needle is to the right, it should be just off the<br />
edge of the fabric. Another way to finish the edges if you don’t<br />
want to stitch them is to brush the edges with an acrylic paint<br />
such as Jacquard Lumiere. This can give the edges a metallic<br />
look too which can be very effective.<br />
Conclusion<br />
To summarize, to create fabric ATCs:<br />
• Think of fabric as just another art media.<br />
• If you are going to stitch on the card then a stabilizer is<br />
essential; this will stop the fabric puckering as you stitch.<br />
• Gel medium works well on fabric.<br />
• Practice, practice, practice!<br />
So what are you waiting for? What, you really don’t have any<br />
fabric at all? No excuse! To get the novices going, I will send<br />
the first 6 people who PM me with a 4x6 inch envelope with<br />
fabric, stiffener for base, iron-on adhesive, ribbon and yarn to<br />
inspire you. Just send a PM to Pippin at ATCsforAll.com. Happy<br />
creating!<br />
-17-
Change language