Fabric Elements – Fragile Fusion

The weekend is here and it’s Friday Play Day! Last week I explored painting on fabric using some of Rebekah’s techniques. This week, let’s explore the Fragile Fusion technique using one of the Fabric Elements kits. (You can watch Rebekah demonstrate this technique on our YouTube channel or at the bottom of this post.) This is one of my favorites – mixing fabric and tissue paper. Together, they become something new, ready to be covered with paint and stamps. For this project we will use EZ-Steam II fusible web, one sheet of tissue paper and paint.   First step is to fuse the tissue and fusible, so remove the white sheet to reveal the sticky side. Center the tissue on top and use your hands to secure it.

My inspiration today is antiques – old wood, iron, leather, distressed and stained. So, a monochromatic paint palette of golds, yellow and brass was chosen, and, of course, black and white.  Add paint, here and there.  Some times the paint was thinned a bit with water so shades would blend into each other.

A damp paper towel pounced over the surface will help blend and remove excess paint.

Some wrinkles in the paper bothered me at first, but then I accented them with dark paint, adding some ‘character’. Mixing gold with black added dark shadows around the edges and corners where natural aging or soiling would occur. Let dry.

Stencil with white paint, or try using Gesso –  a thick coat will give some nice texture. If you haven’t heard of Gesso, it is a white paint mixture consisting of a binder mixed with chalk, gypsum, pigment, or any combination of these. It’s great for giving texture to mixed media pieces.

Tone down with a wash of paint.  Black paint splatters were flung on top using a toothbrush and thumb nail. Keep layering color, balancing dark and light, covering what you don’t like, adding more of what you like.

When finished, think about what you will fuse it to. A canvas banner to hang? Peltex for artist trading cards? Lutrador or muslin to make a cuff bracelet? Felt to create a purse?  The tissue surface can be protected with layers of mod podge – so go ahead and plan a cuff or purse!

Using the canvas banner will be a nice way to finish quickly, so let’s set up the ironing surface. A piece of muslin, the banner, and the fragile fusion piece. Remove the blue backing and place it on top of the stack.

A little pressure will hold it in place.  Pressing will make the fusible permanent. Protect the iron and artwork with the backing or parchment, and your banner is ready to hang!  Add journaling or ink a poem if you’d like. Stitch by hand or machine, or attach a sepia tinted photo.

And there you have it! Fragile Fusion – combining fabric, paper and YOUR imagination.  Have a creative weekend!