Printing Class

We enjoyed teaching thermofax screen printing to a small but enthusiastic group of students in our class Saturday at Artistic Artifacts.  An intimate setting provides the opportunity for more individual attention and the ability to get to know everyone a little better.  We had a comfortable and

productive day as all students were able to create successful prints.  Here are some pictures from the day.

Embellish with Hand Stitching

The final stage of creating Sue's "Falling Leaves" piece was to embellish with hand stitching.  The green background was really begging for some texture, so the first step was filling that in with some "ricing" or "chicken scratch" stitches.

That helped a lot, but also made some of leaves with less paint stand out more - and not in a good way!  So obviously they needed some stitching too.

Here's a close-up of the filled in leaves.

The next addition was using a backstitch to add veins to the applique leaves.

Finally, after adding the binding, which is fused in place, a blanket stitch was added over the edge of the binding. 

The variegated floss adds dimension as well as texture and helps bring the piece to life.

Searching for ROY G BIV - Metallic Gold

In search of Roy G Biv, it is time this month for METALLIC GOLD pictures. Julie is out of town this month so we are linking to Jennifer Coyne Qudeen's blog in finding the colors of the rainbow.  Since the colors of the rainbow were finished in July, they are extending through the rest of the year with other colors.  Check out their blogs for more examples of metallic gold.  Hope you enjoy our selections!

 These gold sequin pillows were recently spotted in a Target display.

Gold tulle fabric.

This old Ford was on display in Melvin Village, NH this summer.

 The sun sparkles on this golden garden ornament at Spider Web Gardens in NH.

Saving the best for last - a spectacular golden sunset on Lake Winnipesaukee.

Sew Many Options!

Determining the placement of the applique leaves on Sue's "Falling Leaves" quilt may seem like a simple task, but she went through lots of options before settling on the final arrangement.  While working, Sue frequently takes pictures of the work in progress to get a more objective view - hence, all these pictures!

 These first 3 seemed to produce confusion rather than a focal point.

Better; the orange strip on the left serves to "anchor" the 3 leaves.  But the angle of the top one is wrong.

Having them point all the same direction looks better, but still kind of boring.

Finally, reversing the direction of the center leaf was the right combination.  Focal point created.  Next, to do something about the bland green background.

Improvisational Design

How do you design your art quilts?  Do you draw or sketch first and make a pattern?  Do you have a mental image that you work toward creating, but not a specific plan?  Do you start with a basic idea and let it build from there?  Sue says she more or less falls into the last category and calls her method improvisational design.  Sometimes it involves sketching, other times just a mental vision.  She will start putting pieces together, and let it evolve from there.  Was there a plan for her recent "Falling Leaves" quilt?  Not at all!  In fact, after the background was created, she went through many options before deciding on the final arrangement.  Here's a look at how it evolved.

Two pieces of fabric formed the basis for this 8 x 10 piece - both were printing samples with fall leaves.  Time was short, so starting with already printed fabrics helped speed the process, and use up a small bit of the stash.

After layering with fusible fleece, the orange sections were quilted with matchstick quilting, a technique she had seen and wanted to try.  Then the leaf areas were free motion quilted.

Next came determining a focal point.  You might think that should come sooner, and perhaps it should, but it didn't in this case.  One choice considered was adding a bird, but the scale was off and it didn't really relate, so sticking with the fall leaf theme, Sue turned to leaf images she had for screen printing.  In order to add variety, she chose a pin oak leaf that was not in the background fabrics and decided to make it in 3 different sizes.

The leaves were printed on hand dyed fabrics in black, had fusible web applied to the back, and then were cut out to make appliques.

Then came the next challenge - how to arrange them on the background!  Who knew there were so many options?  Tomorrow, a look at the many choices.

Published! Autumn Leaves Reader Challenge

Sue is happy to reveal (now that it's published) her submission to the Quilting Arts Autumn Leaves reader challenge!  In fact, it was one of 3 quilts from the October/November issue that was in the running for the cover.  Although not chosen for the cover, it was still a great honor to be considered, and to be in great company with the likes of Susan Brubaker Knapp who created the goldfish quilt that appears on the cover. 

There's a small thumbnail of my quilt on page 6, and the full size picture on page 59. 

Here's a photo of the quilt itself, easier to see than the magazine photo. Click on it for a larger view.

It is made from hand dyed fabrics that are screen printed (actually printing samples from teaching), with 3 printed & fused applique leaves.  Lots of hand stitching in the background and on some of the leaves, as well as a blanket stitch on the binding.   It went through several iterations before settling on the final arrangement, but Sue is pleased with the result and thrilled that the editors at QA liked it too!

Thermofax Printing at Artistic Artifacts

We are gearing up for our fall session of Printing with Thermofax Screens at Artistic Artifacts in Alexandria on September 26.  We always have a great time teaching this technique to the creative minds that gather at AA.  No previous printing experience is necessary.  Here's the description:

Have you ever wanted to incorporate printed images in your quilts or mixed media projects? One method of printing is with thermofax screens (sometimes called silk screens). Learn thermofax screen printing techniques by practicing on muslin and other hand-dyed/textured fabrics you bring using the exquisitely detailed screens provided by the instructors and a variety of paints.
You’ll learn how to:

• use images as focal point or create all over designs
• layer images and techniques
• print with discharge products and thickened dye
• use resist techniques and other products with screen printing
• prepare a screen for printing by binding it with duct tape
  • (see our Use and Care of Thermofax Screens page for additional information)

Class time will also include discussions on using your own unique images (photos and drawings) to create screens, what types of images make good screens, and resources to have screens made as well as sources for purchasing.
You’ll leave class with your own taped screen to use as often as you wish, and as much printed fabric as you can complete in class!
- See more at: http://www.artisticartifacts.com/thermofax.html#sthash.oVdlRd2h.dpuf

Have you ever wanted to incorporate printed images in your quilts or mixed media projects? One method of printing is with thermofax screens (sometimes called silk screens). Learn thermofax screen printing techniques by practicing on muslin and other hand-dyed/textured fabrics you bring using the exquisitely detailed screens provided by the instructors and a variety of paints.
You’ll learn how to:

• use images as focal point or create all over designs
• layer images and techniques
• print with discharge products and thickened dye
• use resist techniques and other products with screen printing
• prepare a screen for printing by binding it with duct tape
  • (see our Use and Care of Thermofax Screens page for additional information)

Class time will also include discussions on using your own unique images (photos and drawings) to create screens, what types of images make good screens, and resources to have screens made as well as sources for purchasing.
You’ll leave class with your own taped screen to use as often as you wish, and as much printed fabric as you can complete in class!
- See more at: http://www.artisticartifacts.com/thermofax.html#sthash.oVdlRd2h.dpuf

Have you ever wanted to incorporate printed images in your quilts or mixed media projects? One method of printing is with thermofax screens (sometimes called silk screens). Learn thermofax screen printing techniques by practicing on muslin and other hand-dyed/textured fabrics you bring using the exquisitely detailed screens provided by the instructors and a variety of paints.
You’ll learn how to:

• use images as focal point or create all over designs
• layer images and techniques
• print with discharge products and thickened dye
• use resist techniques and other products with screen printing
• prepare a screen for printing by binding it with duct tape
  • (see our Use and Care of Thermofax Screens page for additional information)

Class time will also include discussions on using your own unique images (photos and drawings) to create screens, what types of images make good screens, and resources to have screens made as well as sources for purchasing.
You’ll leave class with your own taped screen to use as often as you wish, and as much printed fabric as you can complete in class!
- See more at: http://www.artisticartifacts.com/thermofax.html#sthash.oVdlRd2h.dpuf

Have you ever wanted to incorporate printed images in your quilts or mixed media projects? One method of printing is with thermofax screens (sometimes called silk screens). Learn thermofax screen printing techniques by practicing on muslin or hand-dyed and commercial textured fabrics you bring using the many exquisitely detailed screens provided by the instructors and a variety or paints. You'll learn how to:

• use images as focal point or create all over designs
• layer images and techniques
• print with discharge products
• prepare a screen for printing by binding it with duct tape

Class time will also include discussion on using your own unique images to create screens, what types of images make good screens, and resources to have screens made as well as sources for purchasing. You’ll leave class with your own taped screen to use as often as you wish, and as much printed fabric as you can complete in class!

 

The collage above includes yardage as well as projects that feature thermofax printing using our original screen designs.  Fabric is our preferred medium, but this is a great technique for paper and mixed media, and also works on pottery and polymer clay.  We've even had a customer try it with glass etching!

Come play with us and find out how you can work toward incorporating your own unique imagery in your work! 

Have you ever wanted to incorporate printed images in your quilts or mixed media projects? One method of printing is with thermofax screens (sometimes called silk screens). Learn thermofax screen printing techniques by practicing on muslin and other hand-dyed/textured fabrics you bring using the exquisitely detailed screens provided by the instructors and a variety of paints.
You’ll learn how to:

• use images as focal point or create all over designs
• layer images and techniques
• print with discharge products and thickened dye
• use resist techniques and other products with screen printing
• prepare a screen for printing by binding it with duct tape
  • (see our Use and Care of Thermofax Screens page for additional information)

Class time will also include discussions on using your own unique images (photos and drawings) to create screens, what types of images make good screens, and resources to have screens made as well as sources for purchasing.
You’ll leave class with your own taped screen to use as often as you wish, and as much printed fabric as you can complete in class!
- See more at: http://www.artisticartifacts.com/thermofax.html#sthash.oVdlRd2h.dpuf

Have you ever wanted to incorporate printed images in your quilts or mixed media projects? One method of printing is with thermofax screens (sometimes called silk screens). Learn thermofax screen printing techniques by practicing on muslin and other hand-dyed/textured fabrics you bring using the exquisitely detailed screens provided by the instructors and a variety of paints.
You’ll learn how to:

• use images as focal point or create all over designs
• layer images and techniques
• print with discharge products and thickened dye
• use resist techniques and other products with screen printing
• prepare a screen for printing by binding it with duct tape
  • (see our Use and Care of Thermofax Screens page for additional information)

Class time will also include discussions on using your own unique images (photos and drawings) to create screens, what types of images make good screens, and resources to have screens made as well as sources for purchasing.
You’ll leave class with your own taped screen to use as often as you wish, and as much printed fabric as you can complete in class!
- See more at: http://www.artisticartifacts.com/thermofax.html#sthash.oVdlRd2h.dpuf

Have you ever wanted to incorporate printed images in your quilts or mixed media projects? One method of printing is with thermofax screens (sometimes called silk screens). Learn thermofax screen printing techniques by practicing on muslin and other hand-dyed/textured fabrics you bring using the exquisitely detailed screens provided by the instructors and a variety of paints.
You’ll learn how to:

• use images as focal point or create all over designs
• layer images and techniques
• print with discharge products and thickened dye
• use resist techniques and other products with screen printing
• prepare a screen for printing by binding it with duct tape
  • (see our Use and Care of Thermofax Screens page for additional information)

Class time will also include discussions on using your own unique images (photos and drawings) to create screens, what types of images make good screens, and resources to have screens made as well as sources for purchasing.
You’ll leave class with your own taped screen to use as often as you wish, and as much printed fabric as you can complete in class!
- See more at: http://www.artisticartifacts.com/thermofax.html#sthash.oVdlRd2h.dpuf

UFO Busting for August

Sue's a little late linking up with Vicki Welsh of Field Trips in Fiber this month for August's UFO Busting report in our quest to get some UFO's out of the studio. Click on her badge on the sidebar for a direct link to her post about it.  At the end of every month Sue is doing a post about what she's accomplished that month, and linking it to Vicki's.

Sue's report:
This month was a case of life getting in the way of creative pursuits. Other things requiring my attention kept me from spending much time at the sewing machine or in the studio, so there are no finishes to report this month.  I did finally begin work on an exhibit piece that is due in October but since it is for an exhibit and accompanying book, I can't share pictures of the whole piece, only snippets of work in progress.  This is what I started with and am building the piece around.

So, for my end of month count, this is where things stand:

• Projects in progress August 1 - 7
• Projects completed -0
• New projects started -1
• UFO's trashed - 0
• Projects in progress August 31 - 8

 Hopefully I will do better in September!

National Parks Project

We are proud to share that Sue is one of 148 fiber artists from the United States, Canada and Germany participating in a special project honoring the National Parks, and celebrating the upcoming centennial anniversary of the National Park Service. The artists made original art quilts depicting landscapes, flora and fauna of the 59 National Parks. The Parks featured in the collection of 177 quilts include a wide range: Acadia to the U.S. Virgin Islands to Gates of the Arctic to American Samoa, and others in between. Part of the collection will debut at the Houston International Quilt Festival October 29-Nov. 1, 2015, and the entire collection will premiere at the Road to California Show in Ontario, CA from January 21-24, 2016. The quilts will travel to various venues for approximately two years.  The accompanying image shows the art quilts created to honor Rocky Mountain National Park: the landscape is by Barb Hollinger, the aspen is by Nancy Evans, and Catherine Kane depicted a mountain lion. 

These are the only images that can be shared at this time.  A book on this project will be published by Schiffer Publishing in the spring of 2016. It will include colorful pictures of the quilts, in addition to personal narratives by rangers and personnel of the National Parks. A percentage of book sales will be donated to the NPS.

More information on this project will be announced in the upcoming months.

Shop Announcement and More on a Project

We will be away for a week and unable to process orders in the Etsy shop.  Orders placed September 3 through September 10 will be filled beginning September 11.  Thanks for your understanding and patience!

Now for the project.  Sue shared this table runner in her post about July UFOs as her one finish and thought she would share a bit more about it.  First, she is really happy with how it turned out and how it looks on the dining room table.  The mix of cheerful colors is great for summer.

But what she likes best is how the quilting turned out. She started out by stitching down the center of each horizontal and vertical row, but wasn't quite sure where she was going to go from there until we watched a Quilting Arts video called Modern Machine Quilting by Catherine Redford.

Catherine shows you how to quilt contemporary geometric designs with a walking foot.  This is where Sue got the idea for the gridded design that's focused on the circles.  She added rows 1/4" apart on both sides of the center stitching until the circle was covered.  Keeping the focus on the circles with some negative space in between gave it the contemporary feel she was looking for, as well as securing the circles that were fused in place on the squares - form plus function!

The thread used was a variegated Rainbow thread by Superior.  It blended well with the variety of colors in the fabrics.  It also worked well with the backing fabric.

Though Sue usually used a separate binding, in this case there was enough backing to fold the edge to the front.  So looking for a way to save some time, that's what she did and secured the edge with a machine blanket stitch. 

We thoroughly enjoyed the video by Catherine Redford and would recommend it if you are looking for ways to broaden your quilting skills.  In fact, it may be time for us to watch it again!