While the palm trees of Southern California (in my old life) were beautiful- I do have a soft spot in my heart for the wild ferns in Oregon- boy have I missed them! The Pacific Northwest is home to about 40 different species of ferns and it seems everywhere you turn you are able to find these gorgeous green beauties! I couldn't resist creating my own fabric using a variety of ferns from our yard and a few simple surface design techniques from my book Sew Wild.
The first technique is a glue resist- all you need is Elmers Glue, a paint brush and ferns (any leaves or anything with texture will also work).
I covered the ferns with glue and then pressed them into the surface of fabric- it left an imprint (almost like a stamp) in glue. I covered the surface and then let the glue dry completely.
Next, I painted over the top of the fabric with dye.
Once the surface was dry, I heat set my dye with an iron and then washed the fabric.
The glue washes away and in its place you have a beautiful imprint of the ferns.
Next, I used the ferns as a stencil and as a stamp by placing them on the surface of my fabric and then painting over the top.
I also covered the ferns with dye and then pressed them into the surface to leave an imprint
I covered my fabric with layers of fern stencils and imprints.
Of course I couldn't resist putting my fabric to use!
I cut it up and used all of the pieces to create "scrappy" place mats,
I sewed all of the scraps together with lots of free motion stitching.
And just like that I created a set of place mats for our dining room table!
22 comments:
I really love your placemats!!! My husband loves ferns and we have a lot of them in our garden (in the Netherlands). I think I will try fern-stencilling and stamping too.
How fun to make and turned out so pretty. What a nice idea to make for your new home.
Saw the Lucy's hike post and just love the pictures, so cute all 3 of you are. She will love hiking thru there in a few days, running ahead of you probably,lol
So glad your enjoying being back home.
another inspiration turned into classic ! just loved it !
Wow very creative ! and impressive it looks .
Brilliant placemats! I love ferns.
I love your IDEAS!Wonderful!!
Wow, you've only just moved house and you're already making such amazing fabrics and placemats!
alisa, it's such a lovely example of your art aesthetic! your own unique art style & point of view. :)
Great ideas and a wonderful handmade touch to your new home!
~Dawn
What a cool idea! I love the way this turned out. Thanks for sharing your techniques and for inspiring me!
you are my creative goddess!
Gorgeous. I love coming here to see what you're up to.
There are two feminine qualities I envy: your skills, and Nicole Kidman's hair.
This fabric is amazing.
Very cool! Great idea! I like them!
A big hug!
In your free time, you need to make tons of the placemats and put them up for sale. lol
I chuckled but, I am very serious.
They are just amazing. The colors are amazing just like you.
I don't know much about Nicole Kidmans hair but, I too, envy your skills and how and the world you find time getting anything done with Lucy at her age.
Moving must have given you a 2nd and 3rd wind. I can feel the vibs when I open up your email.
It is like a breath of cool and soothing fresh air coming off the page. I know one thing for sure, there is no limits to your talents.
Barb
Charlotte, North Carolina
Beautiful!
This post meda me finally order your book sew wild, can`t wait `til I get it in my mailbox!!
Your placemats are truly beautiful. You are truly talented!
Those mats are gorgeous, this is so pretty and simple and I love it! (:
Shifting must have given you a 2nd and 3rd breeze. I can experience the vibs when I start up your e-mail.
FF14 Gil
Final Fantasy XIV A Realm Reborn Digital Collector's Edition
Wow!
Love this idea!!! Looks so pretty! organza fabric
I agree with everyone here - so beautiful. One clarification - you note, "Next, I painted over the top of the fabric with dye. Once the surface was dry, I heat set my dye with an iron and then washed the fabric." Are you using dye or a fabric paint such as Dye-Na-Flow?
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