what if ?

#158: Print enhancement

I guess it started here with this fussy cut.  And it seemed a bit boring so I asked myself what if   I just shade the petals of the flower a bit,  just to kick it up a notch... why not ?  Many prints these days are not as detailed as the old ones.  It's a shame....because of the speed of the machines and the cost of screens.  Maybe i can fix that.... slowly.

 

I used the ochre colored Pitt Pen to add some dimension.

...then  I took a look at the fabric that I cut the fabric from.  And I asked once again, what if I add some definition?   I actually got carried away.  Oh!   The possibilities with this one... especially if you can draw.

# 170: Blurry dot with reverse applique

I have asked myself before (1) what if (?)  I cut windows in a fabric to expose a print below and  what if the repeat of that print is large so only part show here and there.  And that gives a random appearance.  And  I have asked myself (2) what if (?)  I paint dots on wet fabric and that gives a nice soft stained effect.  And so I decided to ask myself what if (?)  I combine those two questions.  Aa nice hard edge of turned reverse applique filled with random hard edged motif against a blurry soft halo like ground.   And a nice 3D effect.

 

I have shown the print from the back here.

 

And a detail that shows the stitches which were not matched on purpose (3) . It is nice to layer thoughts one on top of another.

related what ifs:  1 , 2, 3.

#186: pattern play applique

Besides the fact that pattern play applique rhymes, ha,  I have been asking myself what if i do a variation on the embroidered magic feather and try it in applique. i am playing with fussy cut sections of prints, manipulating pattern sections into the cutouts to use them as feathers. 

flannel, linen and cotton on indigo dyed silk velvet.

i like the way applique works on velvet, sinks in and becomes part of the cloth, not raised up like flat on flat applique.

the fabric, velvet, always seems to be in motion, so it is a bit tricky to place a motif exactly where you want it.  and car must be taken to make sure the needle catches the back of the fabric...

i like that i can make the feathers a bit bigger and not worry about the length of the floats for the embroidery...

THis technique is continued here, with a little video tutorial....

Pieced Applique Feathers.

So  what if  (?)  I machine piece the patterns, manipulate them to the right angle.  Fussy cut to shape, applique... I love these,  I will do a little video tutorial when  I get a chance.   Cotton on linen.   Indigo tip detail.   Continued from here.

I did do a little tutorial for the Magic Feather Project .

 

You can read about the project here.