Following the notices the workshop “Making Fabric from Paper”, which was led by Shirley Williams, began.
Shirley introduced herself, she has a long history in textiles and art and is currently the chair of Ribble Creative Threads.
Shirley brought a selection of fabulous examples, including book covers and collage pictures, to give us an idea of what could be achieved using this technique.
Shirley introduced herself, she has a long history in textiles and art and is currently the chair of Ribble Creative Threads.
Shirley brought a selection of fabulous examples, including book covers and collage pictures, to give us an idea of what could be achieved using this technique.
We gathered round as Shirley demonstrated the techniques. First she crumpled up a variety of paper samples, these included sheet music, maps, sweet wrappers, tissue paper and magazine pages.
Once crumpled the papers were then opened but not smoothed out as the creases give texture and also soften the paper. According to the desired effect these papers can now be used as they are, painted or tea dyed using brushed cold tea and then left to dry.
Once crumpled the papers were then opened but not smoothed out as the creases give texture and also soften the paper. According to the desired effect these papers can now be used as they are, painted or tea dyed using brushed cold tea and then left to dry.
The dyes add interest to the work as they vary the depth of colour in the creases and folds of the papers. Bubble wrap can be used to sandwich paper and when ironed produces an effective textured paper. Tissue paper can be wound round a pole to produce a ridged effect. Shirley explained that a paper stitched into squares and then rubbed to produce holes or a rougher texture is another useful technique.
Following the demonstration and talk we all returned to our seats and spent a relaxing hour crumpling and tearing paper. These papers were then painted as desired and left to dry, while we had a well-deserved lunch break.
Following the demonstration and talk we all returned to our seats and spent a relaxing hour crumpling and tearing paper. These papers were then painted as desired and left to dry, while we had a well-deserved lunch break.
In the afternoon Shirley demonstrated how to iron the paper pieces on to a thin Vilene backing or bond-a-web. Shirley advised that it was best to use 2 sheets of silicone baking paper to stop the work sticking to the iron or to the board. The iron was used to press the paper directly downwards i.e. not to rub the iron over the piece, so as not to flatten out the creases and hence remove the textured effect.
The finished “cloth” these techniques gave felt soft and durable.
This fabric can then be cut into strips and matched to contrasting or complimentary pieces depending on the required effect. Once the chosen effect was achieved the pieces were ironed onto another layer of backing fabric. These are then sewn together by using a machine zig zag stitch.
Shirley then showed us how these papers could be re-cut and placed at various angles to create a patchwork effect. They can also be cut into shapes to use as patches. This can help to add splashes of colour as needed or on a collage.
This fabric can then be cut into strips and matched to contrasting or complimentary pieces depending on the required effect. Once the chosen effect was achieved the pieces were ironed onto another layer of backing fabric. These are then sewn together by using a machine zig zag stitch.
Shirley then showed us how these papers could be re-cut and placed at various angles to create a patchwork effect. They can also be cut into shapes to use as patches. This can help to add splashes of colour as needed or on a collage.
These finished sheets of paper fabric can then be used for a variety of purposes.
Shirley then explained and demonstrated the application of free embroidery to add colour or to blend the edges of the joined strips to defuse and spread colour across the fabric.
We all dispersed to practice the techniques shown and to produce our own designs.
Shirley then explained and demonstrated the application of free embroidery to add colour or to blend the edges of the joined strips to defuse and spread colour across the fabric.
We all dispersed to practice the techniques shown and to produce our own designs.
At the end of the afternoon we gathered once more to admire the wonderful array of colours and designs on the finished samples we had all enjoyed working on.
During the day the library and shop were open, and the other room was available for embroiderers to work on their own pieces.
J.P.
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