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.

Scrumbled Surfaces

We have been making lots of different surfaces and textures with textiles.

Using man made fabrics such as nylons and polyester lining fabric,

make great surfaces. You can colour the surface by transfer printing

with paper bags, transfer paints of crayons.

Then take a large piece of man made fabric and form a grid with

zig zag stitch at least an inch apart. 

then pull up those threads and then you can iron it,

between two sheets of parchment paper.

It will form bubble like formations.

Enjoy having a go.

Stitchers at Work

I love catching stitchers at work. 

These show total different textile techniques.

Top, Caroline piecing her Jelly roll strip blocks.

Middle, Sylvia getting to grips with a flower stitch foot

and bottom, Judith starting her piecing of a stained glass patchwork.

I love the diversity of Creative Textiles and I feel so lucky to be able

to teach and share.

Linda Monk

I have followed Lynda's work for sometime.

I love using 3D medium on Lutradur and then heating it

to get the lacy effect. This is then painted in many different ways.

Lynda was demonstrating her technique at

'Textiles in Focus'.

It was great to see her in action.

I brought her book.

"Exploring Creative Surfaces"

and highly recommend it. 

Visit Lynda's blog and see more of the exhibition 

HERE

If you would like to buy her books see below.

Suffolk Puffs or Yo Yo's?

I am teaching several different classes and at Creative Textiles we are making Circles and Curves over the next couple of weeks, in traditional and contemporary ways. Here, in a traditional patchwork form   is a sample of Suffolk Puffs.  It is the start of a small decorative cushion. I used a Clover Suffolk Maker which made the making of the Yo Yo's really fun and I have written another article for 'So Crafty' Magazine about making Suffolk Puffs and Yo Yo's.
See the article HERE
or click on the contents below,

1. Clover Yo-Yo Maker
2. Yo Yo Makers Demo - You Tube click to see video
3. Clover Round Large Yo-Yo Maker
4. Handmade Suffolk Puffs or Yo Yo's
5. Suffolk Puffs or Yo Yo the Traditional Way click to see video

It would be great if you could have a look at the article and make a comment.

City and Guilds Colour Wheel and Machining

I love colour so when showing and explaining the Colour Wheel there is lots of ways to enjoy doing it.
We start on paper but then it turns to printing, dyeing threads and fabrics and of course ultimately to stitch and machining. Using materials and threads you have created yourself just makes it even more interesting and unique.
See more by clicking the written label below.

Assessment

During the Textile Tuesday afternoon session,

Carole from The City and Guilds Education

Assessor came to assess my teaching and see

what classes that I can teach and offer certification for.

I had met Carole at Elveden Farm Shop and Restaurant

the day before.

It was quite funny really, we had been emailing and

fixing dates of when to meet but it wasn't until I

parked up in the car park I realised I didn't know

what Carole looked liked (was she wearing a carnation,

sprang to mind) and I didn't have a mobile number!

Today, in this modern age sometimes with instant messaging,

one can take things for granted!

It was a lovely meeting and Carole informed me

she would be able to assess me the following day

on 'Textile Tuesday'.

Needless to say, it all went very well

and the ladies all had different work to share.

I even had one student, as she came through the

door exclaim,

"Oh, Jane I have brought my machine embroidery but

I have to make wings for a five year old Angel Gabriel,

by Monday, where do I start?"

Lucky enough, I have made lots of costumes in the past and

it was'nt long before the student was quite content

making angel wings!

Session and assessment over, all went well

for another Textile Tuesday @ The Gallery!

www.thegallerydereham.com