Friday 29 July 2011

Just for Fun Fabric

This week's material challenge over at Just for Fun is to use "Fabric or Fiber".

Whew, wipe the sweat from my brow cause I'm back in my comfort zone, although of course it wouldn't be much fun if I didn't have a go at trying something new.

As soon as I found out what the challenge was I immediately knew I wanted to use some soluble fabric which I bought a while ago, but of course, hadn't yet used.

I made a "sandwich" with the soluble fabric and the "filling" was snippets of ribbon and fabric .....

I then free machined over it with a variegated embroidery thread .....

I trimmed off the excess SF before dipping the sandwich in some warm water.  This dissolves the SF but it leaves enough glue behind to help bind the fibers.


You can then either shape the fibers around a bowl or object if you want a shaped piece but I wanted a flat piece which I could diecut, so I placed it on some baking parchment and left it to dry.



My initial idea was to cut a Tim Holtz dress form from the fibers but I didn't do enough stitching on it (so the structure wasn't solid enough) so I decided to use it as a background instead.

I ironed some Bondaweb onto some fabric (to stabilise it for diecutting) and ran it through the Cuttlebug with the TH Heart Wings die. I then mounted it all onto a large tag (4" x 7") which I had distressed with Victorian Velvet & Dusty Concord.

 







So thanks ladies for encouraging me to dust off my sewing machine, I've had great fun this afternoon.

(and sorry it's been such a long post!)

Suze xx

Edit: I purchased the soluble fabric from a lady who had bought too much for her own personal use but I think you could buy it from any good fabric shop, or I found it here:
http://www.barnyarns.co.uk/Water-Soluble-fabric-c-1016.html
There are also a couple of videos about it on YouTube.

13 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

This is really great. I have never heard of that fabric before, so I am learning something new today! Hugs, Valerie

Zoechaos said...

Wonderful, sew is a skill I very much admire and respect. this is so clever and great fun by the sound of it love it. Thank you for making and sharing with us at Just for Fun long may we challenge you! XOXO Zoe

Sandra's Spot said...

Wow Suze this is just Fab you have worked so hard on it to great effect. I also love sewing but have never heard of soluable fabric before must put that on list. Thanks for sharing. Hugs Sandra XX

cheryl said...

oh this is brilliant hun,great work which is so effective love it hugs cherylxxxx

Aileen said...

Another interesting one Suz, like how it's turned out on your tag. x

salamanda said...

Love this and the explanation makes me think maybe I could have a go following your instructions. Where do you buy the soluble fabric?

Dolly Daydreams said...

Gosh this is a new one on me and I want some where did you get it ! Fabulous job Suze very impressive indeed and endless possibilities too.

Marie

Von said...

Love this :) did you use the plastic type or the voile ?
Thank you for sharing your creation with us at Just for Fun
Von x

Anonymous said...

Hi Suze. Love this. A wonderful project. I haven't used soluble fabric in ages. Thanks for the reminder and for sharing.
Regards Florence x

Neet said...

What a great idea and such a fabulous result. I have heard of this (many moons ago at the NEC) but not being a stitcher never tried it. You have made me think about it now (darn it!) as the idea of using the dress form really does inspire me.
Great tag! Thank you for sharing with us on JFF. Hugs, Neet x

Janet said...

WOW !! fabulous tag, love how you've made it,I've never seen this done before.
Janet

chrissie said...

Brilliant. I have never heard of the soluble fabric so that is something to add to my never ending list.

xxx

G Peplow said...

Hi Sue, What a very interesting technique a little like fabric collage but even more inventive, great work and thank you for sharing, love to see all these techniques, Gay xxx