Fabric Elements – Mixed Media Embroidery

Hello Friday – it’s Play Day! Let’s mix fabric, scrap booking and needlework today.   The technique I’m exploring today, mixed media embroidery, can be found the Fabric Elements Techniques for Mixed Media book on page 7. For mixed media, I think Fabric Element’s Osnaburg is essential to have on hand, so let’s use it today. Osnaburg has a rough muslin look, with slubs and imperfections in it. Since we got messy painting fabrics the last two weeks, let’s use one of the bright cotton fat quarters as a base.  Tags are a great base for embellishing. We have them ready to use,  or hand or die cut your own if you can.

If you have spent any time scrap booking, you know how fun a Sizzix machine can be. Absolutely addicting, right? Rebekah shows how to use a circle and flower embellishment, so I tried the osnaburg and paintable fabric. Then I cut some more paper, muslin, waffle cloth,  a scrap of Land of Whimzie flannel and a chevron print (anything within reach).  It all cuts easily!

In a few minutes, a new stash of embellishments is complete, ready for paint, glue or stitching. (Did you know you could win a Sizzix Fabi in our #FabricElements Creative Challenge?! Click –> here <– for more info.)

I’m working small today, because I want to hand stitch. The background is 6” x 8”. Just enough room for 3 tags to fit. A little glue stick will hold them in place.

With a bright background and light tags, so let’s pull dark paint and put some stencil elements on top. Start with the image you like best, for me it’s the bird and crown. Then place something in the top left, top right, bottom… done. Try adding media in groups of odd numbers – 3 or 5 of something.

Let dry, then it’s time to stitch down the tags. Make simple big stitches, add a few French knots, maybe some cross-stitch in the corner, just for fun. Use color if you are feeling playful.

Your mixed media art is almost complete. On each tag, there are blank spaces purposely left open. As you play, your art work may decide what it wants to be.  Audition different elements. Use your special collectibles and small treasures. If it can be sewn or glued down, feature it – mix it –  into your fabric design.

The first: “You inspire me” features a large, special button may turn into a greeting card for a friend. The second: “Thinking of You” with pretty buttons will make a cute pillow. The last audition combines scrapbook brads and vellum tags.

Here’s my finished project. Simple embroidery holds the mixed media piece onto an Osnaburg and muslin pillow.

If you can’t decide what to do next – make another one!  Artists often work in a series. You can too!