I finally finished my fabric collage, inspired by Debasree Dey‘s tutorial, “Layers of Light,” from my week of Making Zen.
I started with a fairly large piece of old linen and a fabric sample that I got from FabMo years ago (that is a place that collects and recycles designer samples here in CA). Other under-layers include an old piece of silk I found in my stash in the garage, possibly from a kimono or obi, and a linen napkin that has a pretty design in the corner.
I added half of a doily, part of an antimacassar, and a beautiful scrap of embroidered fine net in a very soft pink. The velvet swirl shape was also from a sample from FabMo; I cut away the mesh backing to let the velvet really stand out. In certain light it looks almost golden!
Added embellishments include a nest made from the threads that frayed off the edges of the silk when I washed it, bits of pale pink and cream lace trims, pearl beads, pink flat-back pearls (the only element I glued down), fringe that I harvested from an old pillow edging, a recycled plastic ring from a bottle that’s woven with eyelash yarn, and a money plant pod that I couched down. Last, I added a pearl button and maple tree wings to the right side, so pretty!
Due to the large size, I decide this would be a wall hanging rather than a book cover. I machine stitched the edges of the finished project to a piece cut from a worn out mattress pad, then laced that fabric onto a piece of chipboard. Now how to mount it? I didn’t leave any margin for a picture mat or frame. Hmmm. Thinking about gluing the chipboard to a canvas, if I can find one the right size. Problem is the wrapped fabric creates bulk in the back (see last image), so the chipboard would not meet the canvas unless I add yet another layer of card to the back! I don’t think the back is sturdy enough as-is to attach any kind of hanger, either. Sigh.
This was a fun project and I love the finished piece! EnJoy!
Fiber Fancies 