Earlier this month I tested discharge spray on a variety of fabrics. (Click here to see a bit of the process.)
Just in case success came knocking, I decided to use a nature theme, and also attempt to create a pleasing composition while working quickly and freely.
Mainly, I wanted to get the discharge spray on every single fabric without making a total mess.
Commercial stencils were used to speed things along - I wanted to see the discharge results, pronto!, so didn't take time to make my own.
This experiment enabled me to choose fabrics for my next project based on their discharge properties.
Exactly what I needed!
Next, I wanted to test a couple of foiling effects. I used Bo-Nash fusing powder to make fine sparkles, and foiling adhesive (a special glue) to make the dots.
Next - the quilting test. (What would happen if . . . ?)
To keep their edges soft, yet visible, I decided to quilt the main images (bird, leaves, fern) with a sketchy outline in black thread.
Secondary images (bark, "nest", trees) were quilted by loosely following their shapes. Very loosely. More like reflecting their essence, if you will.
The background was quilted with a very fine (100wt) thread. First, I echoed the main image of the bird. Then, I filled in with leaves (around the bird) and a jagged stipple (around everything else).
I stitched right through the foil sparkles, but avoided stitching over the dots. The foil is soft enough to quilt through, but I didn't want to visually "push" the dots to the back.
Testing thread and quilting effects on these images has been a valuable exercise. Now I'm ready to finish other projects featuring sun prints and bleach discharge!
As an added bonus, I love how this turned out!
Living my mantra of
Try, Learn & Grow!
Carole
Just in case success came knocking, I decided to use a nature theme, and also attempt to create a pleasing composition while working quickly and freely.
Mainly, I wanted to get the discharge spray on every single fabric without making a total mess.
 |
| Discharge tester FreshofftheFrame.com |
Commercial stencils were used to speed things along - I wanted to see the discharge results, pronto!, so didn't take time to make my own.
This experiment enabled me to choose fabrics for my next project based on their discharge properties.
Exactly what I needed!
Next, I wanted to test a couple of foiling effects. I used Bo-Nash fusing powder to make fine sparkles, and foiling adhesive (a special glue) to make the dots.
 |
| Copper foil, two ways FreshofftheFrame.com |
Next - the quilting test. (What would happen if . . . ?)
To keep their edges soft, yet visible, I decided to quilt the main images (bird, leaves, fern) with a sketchy outline in black thread.
 |
| Sketchy stitching FreshofftheFrame.com |
Secondary images (bark, "nest", trees) were quilted by loosely following their shapes. Very loosely. More like reflecting their essence, if you will.
 |
| Quilting detail FreshofftheFrame.com |
The background was quilted with a very fine (100wt) thread. First, I echoed the main image of the bird. Then, I filled in with leaves (around the bird) and a jagged stipple (around everything else).
I stitched right through the foil sparkles, but avoided stitching over the dots. The foil is soft enough to quilt through, but I didn't want to visually "push" the dots to the back.
 |
| FreshofftheFrame.com |
Testing thread and quilting effects on these images has been a valuable exercise. Now I'm ready to finish other projects featuring sun prints and bleach discharge!
As an added bonus, I love how this turned out!
 |
| FreshofftheFrame.com |
Living my mantra of
Try, Learn & Grow!
Carole
Absolutely gorgeous, thanks for sharing how you did it. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThe large gold foil dots are delightful; I'm glad you didn't quilt over them to give them more dramatic effect. The quilt turned out beautifully as a sampler / tester, and it will be fun to see how you implement these techniques now. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteYour project is beautiful. I love how your quilting emphasizes the experimental areas.
ReplyDeletepretty cool experiment! ended up so well!
ReplyDeleteThis turned out awesome....and just my style! :-)
ReplyDelete"Just in case success came knocking" Aiming for that is a great approach to trying new things and it certainly did knock this time Carole! This is beautiful! And it looks like you had so much fun creating it too. Love that sketchy quilting!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
I was going to say everything that Lara B said, lol! True story. Your experiment is awesome!
ReplyDeleteIt's gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteWell I would say this was a very successful (obviously well-thought out) experiment, and I am, of course, thoroughly intrigued and impressed. You are playing with products I never knew existed (though if I did, I probably wouldn't have the slightest clue what to DO with them...) I think this may be the best of example I've ever seen, of how quilting can elevate a project. The picture of the finished panel is 'wow - that turned out pretty cool'; the *finished* finished picture is "OH MY GOODNESS ~ that is FABULOUS!!"
ReplyDeleteWow, that turned out great. There's a lot to be said for experimenting, isn't there?
ReplyDelete