It’s time to start thinking about trades for spring and summer stamping shows and conventions. Fabric pins are a good choice. You can make several in a short period of time by stamping onto a prepared muslin fabric and using an iron-on adhesive to bind the layers together; or you can simply attach the fabric to matboard.
White and unbleached cotton muslin fabric is available in most fabric stores. Stores carrying fine cotton fabric for quilting will offer the best quality muslin. When selecting your fabric, look for one with an evenly woven, smooth finish.
“Swirl Heart Pin” is a good choice for beginning stampers. This pin has four basic steps: applying paint, stamping an image, layering fabric and batting, and hand-sewing. You can substitute any metallic acrylics for the background color.
Working with watercolors on a small piece of fabric can be a challenge. If the brush is too wet, the colors will bleed into one another. This may not be the effect you are seeking. Prevent this problem by moistening the H2O’s in their own containers and applying color to the fabric with a wet—but not soaked—Fantastix Coloring Tool Brush. Work from the center of the image outward and heat set after each application of color. The first color applied to “Don Gato” was Summer Breeze on the eyes. The background, painted with Buttercup and Summer Breeze, was not heat set until both colors were applied, thus allowing them to blend. Unfortunately, the Buttercup color did not show up well in the scan.
For the next pin, “Butterfly Mask”, the fabric is torn leaving unraveled edges. It is then painted with Lumiere acrylics, which gives the muslin a firm, canvas-like feel for stamping. The prepared surface accepts the stamped image beautifully.
“Miss Frizz” can be made from any of the different embellishments you have on hand. Various buttons, charms, or polymer clay pieces can be used for the face. Try making the arms and legs from smaller, rolled fabric beads or knotted strips of fabric. You can add wings or a purse or printed sash. Try substituting narrow wired ribbon for the wire hair.
The main part of the doll pin is the large fabric bead that holds everything together. The fabric is painted with Lumiere acrylics to give it stiffness, thus making it easier to roll.
After your lovely pins are completed, keep in mind that although these pins are made of fabric, they should not be laundered.
