Friday 18 January 2008

February postcard- into stitch!

I finally got round to taking the CG February PC into the final stage. I printed off the two layers of the design on to Extravaganza, as mentioned in the previous post. I was delighted with the result, this organza is very light and transparent, but it holds the printed image really well, keeping the density and quality of the marks true.

I had dyed a piece of Viscose Satin the day before with turquoise Procion dye. I bonded a piece of turquoise foil bought from Fibre in Form to it and it worked like magic!! I used Bondaweb as the adhesive and gave it just enough heat to stick in places, so I got a distressed look. I was so pleased this worked as I've had trouble with other foils not wanting to part from the plastic carrier. With the two shiny surfaces, this was very difficult to photograph so I'm afraid you'll have to forgive my sad effort, but it gives an idea of the distressed effect.



Next I floated the two separate layers over each other, but whichever way I put them the one seemed to cancel out the other.



So I decided to cut the background away from the flower and lay the remainder over the words layer, therefore retaining the little bloom on the right hand side, which had all but disappeared under the top layer. I deliberately placed it on the thirds as my OH is very keen on this rule in his compositions and I rarely bother, but this time I think it worked.



As I didn't want a shiny residue from Bondaweb I used the granules, which stuck relatively well but probably won't hold the layers together permanently , I don't know what the answer is to fusing very light fabrics to a surface without any evidence of the bonding agent.

I then laid down some threads and beads to get an idea of how they would look. I knew I'd have to attach the flower layer permanently so chose a plain running stitch with a slightly variegated thread. I put beads on the dots on the vase and as this was a friendship PC I put on some heart beads as a finishing touch.





This image shows the true colour of the foil and just how shiny it really is.

I've really enjoyed putting this PC together as it's a constant aim of mine to bring together the computer composites I design with textiles, and most of the time I prefer the original design to the finished textile piece, but I think this one has worked better than most of the ones I've tried in the past.

14 comments:

Shirley Anne Sherris said...

It has transferred nicely and is very pleasing. I loved the design when you first posted it. I am a 'sucker' for the metallic. I bought some of this foil too so look forward to using it. It is so rich isn't it?
Cheers

Julie said...

This has worked out really well Sharon. Your detailed explanation has been really interesting to follow. I think Misty Fuse may be lighter than Bondaweb. I believe Rainbow Silks may stock it. I love the colours you have used. I'm going to get some Extravorganza. AVG here I come!

Val said...

This is just gorgeous Sharon - your perserverance has paid off in spades! Val

Doreen G said...

Brilliant Sharon-the process that you followed worked out well for you.
Well done.

Debbi Baker said...

Sharon - This is stunning - I love the way the whole thing has come together, very integrated! Sometimes I think the multi-layer style can just look like a bunch of layers but this is really beautiful and you have created a lot of depth. The foil is such a wonderful touch too! Re the fusible - I see someone else has suggested misty fuse - I love it and find it ideal for the sort if application you are talking about. If you want me to send you some to experiment with first, let me know. Regards,

Purple Missus said...

Sharon this is wonderful. You have created such depth in this postcard. It really is good to see a design created on the PC come to life in a textile piece. I very much look forward to seeing more of your work using this process. Pat is a very lucky Calendar Girl.

Unknown said...

Sharon, this is stunning, lucky Pat

Pat said...

Lucky me,indeed. As I too love to play with the designs on the PC I appreciate what you have done and the way you have translated the image is wonderful, I will be very proud to have this card.

Becky Mairi Farrell said...

I love what you've done with this, and it's so good to see your process from start to finish. You've completely transformed that original postcard image. It has an ethereal quality about it now, and is so beautiful.

Unknown said...

This is gorgeous Sharon, I love you're use of colour.

Peggy said...

These look fantastic. I love it.
Peggy

Linda B. said...

I think this is better than the original PC version, it has more depth somehow.

Once again thanks for blogging the process - itinteresting to see how the piece develops at each stage.

sharon young said...

Hi everyone
Thank you all so much for you lovely comments on the PC, I'm really thrilled by such a positive response, it means a lot, thank you!!!

Dianne said...

Sharon I really LOVE this postcard!! It really is a little piece of art.