After Kath had welcomed us all to the meeting and read the notices for the day. Those taking part in the workshop were keen to start their adventure into silk paper making.
Pat had arrived loaded down with interesting equipment. A beautiful picture and cards, to show us what can be achieved when you use your own hand made and designed silk paper.
Pat had arrived loaded down with interesting equipment. A beautiful picture and cards, to show us what can be achieved when you use your own hand made and designed silk paper.
First Pat handed round silk tops in vibrant colours and used them to demonstrate making wet silk paper.
For this technique you need 2 sheets of fine gauge net, a kitchen sponge and CMC paste.
The silk tops were thinly spread out, on one sheet of gauge to form a pattern. At this stage different colours of silk tops can be added to introduce colour. Flower heads, petals, leaves and ribbons can also be added to the design.
The silks were then sprayed lightly with water and another sheet of net pegged over the top to hold the layers in place.
Pat then used a clean washing up sponge dampened with CMC paste to push the fibres out towards the edges of the piece. She explained that you can gently lift the top layer of netting to push the fibres over any gaps or to re-position petals etc.
Pat continued to work on the paper until it was translucent and she had remove any excess fluid.
Depending on the finish required you can leave the top netting on for a textured look or remove it carefully for a smoother finish.
For this technique you need 2 sheets of fine gauge net, a kitchen sponge and CMC paste.
The silk tops were thinly spread out, on one sheet of gauge to form a pattern. At this stage different colours of silk tops can be added to introduce colour. Flower heads, petals, leaves and ribbons can also be added to the design.
The silks were then sprayed lightly with water and another sheet of net pegged over the top to hold the layers in place.
Pat then used a clean washing up sponge dampened with CMC paste to push the fibres out towards the edges of the piece. She explained that you can gently lift the top layer of netting to push the fibres over any gaps or to re-position petals etc.
Pat continued to work on the paper until it was translucent and she had remove any excess fluid.
Depending on the finish required you can leave the top netting on for a textured look or remove it carefully for a smoother finish.
Paper made this way can take a few days to dry out completely and was put on one side while Pat demonstrated Cocoon silk paper making. For this she used ;
2 pieces of parchment /baking paper, a water spray and a bag of neutral
coloured cocoon silk.
This silk has a course texture and naturally bonds together under heat. The fibres were spread out thinly as previously demonstrated and leaves, silk threads etc. were added and sprayed with a little water to activate the natural gum inside the silk.
A second piece of parchment was placed over the final design and a hot iron used to bond and form the paper
Pat painted the paper with acrylic paints and then added tea bag paper which had been printed on the jelly plate and torn into pieces. These were added to the paper with matt gel medium.
The paper can then also be printed on and cut as required. Acrylic wax can be used to finish the piece adding strength and a soft lustre.
Pat explained that Bendix and Matt medium gave a good finish and they don’t leave a residue or turn yellow. These were used to add stamped and painted tea paper to the silk.
Extra finishes were shown using embossing powders, die cutters, stencils and stamps.
After the demonstrations and making our own silk paper in the morning we stopped for lunch and a chat.
2 pieces of parchment /baking paper, a water spray and a bag of neutral
coloured cocoon silk.
This silk has a course texture and naturally bonds together under heat. The fibres were spread out thinly as previously demonstrated and leaves, silk threads etc. were added and sprayed with a little water to activate the natural gum inside the silk.
A second piece of parchment was placed over the final design and a hot iron used to bond and form the paper
Pat painted the paper with acrylic paints and then added tea bag paper which had been printed on the jelly plate and torn into pieces. These were added to the paper with matt gel medium.
The paper can then also be printed on and cut as required. Acrylic wax can be used to finish the piece adding strength and a soft lustre.
Pat explained that Bendix and Matt medium gave a good finish and they don’t leave a residue or turn yellow. These were used to add stamped and painted tea paper to the silk.
Extra finishes were shown using embossing powders, die cutters, stencils and stamps.
After the demonstrations and making our own silk paper in the morning we stopped for lunch and a chat.
During our lunch break, Kath presented Pat Richardson with her trophy from last month, where she won first prize in the ‘Gertrude Goodenough' competition.
At lunch time, we also received a welcome visit from Jennifer and Michael, from Savick Library. Due to the delay in the building being ready, we have not been able to visit regarding our planned 'bunting project.' Jennifer gave us an update on what was happening and brought boxes of delicious cakes for us to share. It was such a lovely surprise.
An enjoyable afternoon was spent making more paper with different designs using honesty seed heads, leaves, ribbons and threads.
We finished our designs by experimenting with all the dyes, stamps stencils and the jelly plate that Pat had brought with her.
We finished our designs by experimenting with all the dyes, stamps stencils and the jelly plate that Pat had brought with her.
Those who had not taken part in the workshop, were busily working on their own pieces and having a chat, as can be seen below.
During the day, Tracey very kindly set up a stall of home made items she was selling in aid of Poppy Appeal.
We had received quite a few comments about the day from various members:
- A relaxing and informative workshop, thanks to Pat.
- Great fun playing with colour and texture.
- Lovely day experimenting with lots of different techniques and ideas. Thoroughly enjoyable.
- Excellent ideas using so many techniques. Loved the dry silk paper making, embossing and printing. Thanks to Pat for her tuition and kind sharing of materials.
- Doing my own thing gives me a chance to catch up on embroidery that I can't get done at home.
- A relaxing and informative workshop, thanks to Pat.
- Great fun playing with colour and texture.
- Lovely day experimenting with lots of different techniques and ideas. Thoroughly enjoyable.
- Excellent ideas using so many techniques. Loved the dry silk paper making, embossing and printing. Thanks to Pat for her tuition and kind sharing of materials.
- Doing my own thing gives me a chance to catch up on embroidery that I can't get done at home.
As you can tell, we all had a wonderful day learning a new technique and using all the
various finishing products. Pat was given a well-deserved round of applause and thanked for
leading the workshop. Here are the results:
various finishing products. Pat was given a well-deserved round of applause and thanked for
leading the workshop. Here are the results:
JP
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