Tuesday 13 May 2014

Velvet Scrap Cushion



I make cushions for the sofa in The Old Art Room every month.
This one is made from lots of scraps of velvets and
 plush upholstery fabrics.
See more of what is going on in the studio and students work
HERE

Sunday 11 May 2014

PVA, Tissue Fabric




The first Textile Tuesday and Thursday of May,
 we were making PVA Tissue Fabric.
It is a popular method of creating an unusual textured fabric and 
it can be stitched, decorated, coated and gilded.
You can use any fabric as a base.
We started with sheeting, muslin and 
upholstery fabric. 
You mix one part PVA glue with two parts water.
Tear up your tissue paper into pieces and 
start gluing them onto your fabric,
over lapping slightly.
As soon as you have finished you then add colour.
We used spent procion dyes.
Allow to dry thoroughly and then you can start stitching
and decorating.
If you want it for a book cover you can gild it with metallic rubs,
 then seal with acrylic wax or boot polish.
(Boot polish gives a leather look).
Everyone had so much fun. 
Sticking gluing and dyeing.