Tutorial - Painting Embroidery Backgrounds

I'm working on two large embroidery and silk ribbon projects for a special group of ladies. The first is ready for the silk ribbon...as the base thread embroidery is done.

The second is not finished yet...but the painted background part is.  I still have the fence to embroidery...but thought you might like to see how easy painting the background is...so... Sharing this tutorial on how we are painting...you might want to give this a try. It was fun...easy...and very inexpensive! From start to finish, this process took me about 2 1/2 hours...for both designs... before I could start stitching. It could take longer if you don't have a light box to use when tracing...or you might be faster than me. But, just in case you were wondering...wanted you to just know that it did not take days...hugs! Step One Cut your background large enough to hold your embroidery design with about 3-4 inches outside of that on all sides. This give plenty of room for your hoop, and to paint the area. You will trim this work to the finished size you want later on. Note: I use a thin Pellon fusible interfacing to my embroidery (or muslin)...I like to do that when I'm using a light to medium weight fabric, because it helps me hide my knots and such on the back. You'll need to cut that interfacing or base fabric as well.
Step Two

Get a natural type sponge...or, prepare a substitute as I did here. This is a really, really cheap kitchen sponge...clean...and a pair of tweezers. Pluck and pull out bits of the sponge to make the surface "rough".

Step Three

You need acryllic paint and water. I use a kitchen glass plate for my mixing area...because they do not absorb the paint and clean up is a breeze...just rinse and put into the dishwasher. Hugs!

Put a little dab of paint on the plate...add a couple of tablespoons of water. Mix gently. In this case, I want to paint "sky" so I choose white and light blue. When mixed, I got white...blue...and a muddy mixture of white/blue.  

You want a really thin mixture...like ink would look...(sorry, forgot that photo).

Now, Be brave...and put some paint-water on the sponge ... and dab it on the fabric. Keep sponging from the plate to the fabric until the sky is like you want it. It might not be pretty, or perfect...but don't fret. All will be just fine!

Repeat this step for other areas of the project. For these, I did greens for grass at the bottom. (you could do grays for hills, or tans for sand, etc.) Remember to add the water to thin out the paint!!!!

When done...you have a piece of fabric with the "illusion" of sky and ground!

As I said, it's not pretty...but it is not realism...only the "hint" of

the sky and ground. 

It will be enhanced by your stitching! Seriously, it will!

See how the second design looks on top of the sky/grass!

Cool! And it isn't even done yet!

Okay...

Now, let your painted fabric dry...completely!

You can just lay it out overnight...or, if (like me) you do not want to wait...you can iron it dry.

Here's how I did mine...

Use paper (just plain printer paper) on the top and bottom to protect your iron from excess paint...at least until it partially drys and the paper soaks some excess water/paint up.

Then iron as you like!

Because there is so much water mixed with the paint...the fabric soaks up the color...but is not rough or coarse.

Use a light table or sunny window to trace your embroidery pattern...or whatever method you normally use.

Here is one of the designs, just traced with a #2 lead pencil...my tool of choice!

See, you can see the design...and then, just stitch as usual!

ETA: Is painted fabric washable? Well, I don't plan on washing these scenes...as the silk ribbon will not hold up I'm thinking. But, my sister (the painter) has used acrylic paint on t-shirts...and ironed to set the paint...and they have washed just fine. There is also a fixative for acrylic paint that helps it adhere to cloth. So, you could add textile/fabric medium to thin your acrylic paints before you use them on fabric if your scene will be washed a lot.
So... if you are planning on painting on wearables or other things that are laundry prone...do your research.

Here is one link to get you started:

http://painting.about.com/od/fabricpainting/a/FabricPaintTips.htm
 
 and if you need to "remove" paint fro you clothing...yes, we all have messy accidents at times...here is a link about that too:

https://www.jenreviews.com/paint-clothes/

FFT#22 - Diane

Got finished with Diane's block yesterday...and here is the result.

The center is where the most work is. I tried to keep the look and feel of the countryside scene, without overpowering the muted style of the fabric colors. The chickens are partially covered in stitches. Mostly straight stitches with some detached chain (lazy daisy) stitches for the waddles; the tail feathers are fly stitch and straight stitch.

Some straight stitches to outline parts of the farm house, and the fence. The weight of threads is different of course.  Added a little bush along the fence on the left side...with tiny knots for buds/berries...which ever is your personal preference.

The left side had a little apple tree...which was just wrong in scale. It was too little to ever be bearing apples...and the apples that were on it were way too large as well. Really "bugged" me...so I changed it into a rose bush. Added some five angle prawns and french knots to the center to help bring out some color, texture, and frame in the center...without disturbing the seams too much, just in case the next person(s) might want to work there.

Last, added a hand-dyed piece of lace with a gold tone metal rooster...and love the contrast...

And a seam to the top area with lace trim, stitching, beads, and aluminum roses. I enjoyed stitching on the block...and hope that Diane will like the work. It's in the envelope and will be mailed to Lee on Monday!

How Rude Do You Think I Am???

As you know...if you follow my blog...I love to stitch crazy quilt blocks. Especially, when they are part of Round Robin challenges. Of course, in a round robin...you don't have control over the entire block...as it is not yours. But, you do have control over the part you stitch. This is the block I'm working on right now...and I'm the first person to stitch on it.

See that copper metallic jumbo rickrack in the bottom left corner?...the block owner put it there...so was on the block when it arrived. Does she like it so much that she was just jumping up and down at an opportunity to add some to this block? Or, did she just not want to send the block forward with raw edges on this specific motif, and that was the only trim in a color to match her block...so she used it? I don't know.  And, I'm not saying that it looks bad...it doesn't. Just doesn't fit MY idea of a French Countryside like the center fabric does. So...I have asked the owner if I can remove and replace it...and am awaiting for her reply. 

See this lace motif? If cut out the center...leaving only the outside edge trim...it is a perfect fit around this lovely mother hen and chicks. So, I want to swap out something already on the block...for something I think works better to balance the block in theme, color, and style. And, here's a closer look at the center...which I've been stitchin on. See the beautiful French Style country scene? I just think the lace goes better than the metallic trim...but that's my opinon only. And it's not my block. And the OWNER put the trim on there in the first place. So, I asked if I could change it...

So, how rude do you think that is? Would you ask the owner and/or prior stitcher about "removing" or "swapping" something? And, that leads me to a couple of other thoughts... Are you comfortable "adding" to someone else's previously stitched portion of the block? Like stitching some beads or embroidery on top of an unadorned lace motif? Or adding a second "combination" to a plain zigzag seam?  If not, is there an instance when you might consider it? And have you done any addition or removal before? I have...and always ask the stitcher and/or owner if I can before hand. But, am I the only lone stitcher out here that has little qualms about "touching" any part of the block when it gets to be my turn? ESPECIALLY when I'm the last stitcher before the block goes home... So, how rude am I? Go ahead, let me have it...I can take it!
ETA: My portion of the block is complete now. I'll post tomorrow photos of what the end result looks like. The owner did get back with me and she likes her rickrack, so it is staying. This is fine; as it is her block and her preference. Later on, she did say that I could change it if I really wanted too. But, it was already in the envelope ready to be mailed by then...so, the next person might ask the same question. Hugs!

Cuddlies...

I've been doing more embroidery lately...but now have to switch gears. Another family baby shower is coming up and I'll be doing a couple of quick baby blankets for that. My nieces asked for Minkie fabric. She didn't want blue...so I ordered a chocolate brown and mint green stripe paired with a paisley poly in the same colorway....

and a solid mint green...with lighter paisley print.

Have you ever worked with Minkie before? It is super, super soft...much more so than flannel. But, it is synthetic...and slippery as all get out to sew! That's why I've been putting this "task" off until last minute! And, here is the other "cuddly" in my house...my protector!

RAIN! Woo Hoo!

We have been needing it!

There have been little showers lately, but even those have seemed to just move around us...and the little garden was just begging for some rain!

Woo Hoo! This is my view right now...out my front door and the back view out of my kitchen window (window closed, and open view through my screen). Come on rain! I hope we have tons of puddles! Ha, Glad Buddy went out a couple of times already...he hates to get wet, and is curled under my feet right now!

Betsy's Closet - Block #2

Here is Block #2, changed a little bit to add a fluffy bow and two tiny little bullion roses. The dress just seemed to need them. And, here is how Block #1 and #2 look together. Sweet!

I'm having such fun working on this little quilt, just might have to do an extra set of blocks!

Five Petal Monogram - G

 

Silver Christmas Stocking

The stocking front for Lyn's Stocking Swap is finished. Now, to get to the lining and back.

 Want a close-up of some seams?

 Here ya go.

 Different, but I really like the roses and the bling...hope the new owner will like it too.

Should finish and get it off to Lyn in a few days.  

Candji Block Finished!

The Butterflies and Dragonflies Round Robin is Complete...mailing Candji's block off to her tomorrow.

Sorry, didn't get a photo of the entire block before getting it into the envelope for mailing...so hope Candji will remember to do that for the CQI Group when she receives it. 

 But, I did remember to snap a few close up photos of some areas that I stitched. 

 Hope you enjoy the block Candji...I think it turned out really cool!

   

Betsy's Closet - Block One

Oh, I'm having such a great time with this project! It has been a long time since I've been so excited about a sane quilt project! But, the embroidery is so easy...and fun! And I just can't wait to get to stitching on the next block! My muse is so happy!

 Isn't this little jumper just too cute! Want to join in the fun?...check out the sidebar for all the details!  

Betsy's Closet Stitch-A-Long...

and you are invited! So, come on along...and join Jenny of Elefantz and myself in creating a beautiful little quiltee with Embroidery Blocks. (Brenda Riddle did such a wonderful job with this cute little pattern!)We will begin this month and embroider our way through all nine blocks. Hoping to get finished just in time for Christmas! (Sure hope it's THIS Christmas...as this would make a great little new quilt for Ely!)

  I picked out fabric yesterday...and will be adding some extras from my stash. And, the postman delivered my pattern from the Acorn Quilt & Gift Company...creator of the pattern. It's available from other sources...but I chose them because the price is great at only $9.95 for the entire quilt! And, they use priority shipping. I ordered on Monday, and it was at my door on Wednesday! Now, it might not be that fast for you...after all it isn't ALL that far from Arizona to Alabama I guess! But, it will be quick I'm sure!

And, they sent along the best little "extra" a booklet titled Home Comforts which has seven little quilts in it...how cool is that! The one on the back cover has the most adorable little scallop border, and I'm thinking that would be a good "addition" to my Betsy quilt too! You know I just can't leave a pattern the same...always have to "make it my own"...to keep my muse happy! So, hope you'll join Jenny and I in this Stitch-A-Long...just hop on over to our blog about the event and sign up today! We'd also love to see your photos as we stitch together! Hope to see you there...

Butterflies & Dragonflies - Candji

The Butterflies and Dragonflies Round Robin over at Crazy Quilting International (CQI) is coming to a close. With a couple of international participants, the mail system has slowed it down somewhat...but I'm working on the last round for Candji's block.

 I'm almost done, just need to sew my ribbon down for the lace basket handle, and add beads to all of the seams. Oh, and add some charms here and there I think too...maybe some beaded critters.

Okay, looks like I have a couple of more days of work...but, still a lot has been done.

Several seams, a couple of lace motifs, a dimensional dragonfly, and a spiderweb are all finished.   DIVA ALERT! Just had to share this too! Really...only a DIVA could rock a Chicken Pin Cushion for a hat!

Way to go Aidan!