Join Nicole as she shows you how to use stencils and stamps on fabric! Using VersaCraft Inks and Fabrico Markers will have you looking at your stamping and crafting supplies in a whole new way.
Skill: Beginner
Time: Varies
I have a confession. I am not a sewing person, whatsoever. However, I do like textile arts and a friend, who destashed her crafting supplies, gave me a gallon bag of embroidery thread. Well, it was time to challenge myself with an embroidery project. I made this wall hanging using All-Purpose Inks to color the plain fabric and stitch some whimsical stitches.
Skill: Advanced
Time: 2-4 hours
For this project, you will need fabric for embroidery. You have several options of fabric that will work; 100% cotton; linen, muslin or specialized needlework linen. I bought a piece of 100% cotton remnant from my local fabric store. You will also need embroidery hoops and thread. Fasten the fabric to the hoops.
Spray water on the fabric. Place a small drop of Red Delicious All-Purpose ink.
Spray water onto the drop of the All-Purpose ink. The color will spread out, creating cool effects and shapes.
Repeat Step 3 with the rest of the All-Purpose Inks; Thyme, Wisteria, Blue Lagoon. Allow the project to dry. You can allow it to dry naturally or dry with an iron to speed up the process. At this point, you will find that the colors are lighter than when the fabric was wet. You can darken the color by adding more ink.
Determine the embroidery thread you will use. I like to use a contrasting color.
Use embroidery needles for your project. They are designed with wider holes than a regular needle.
Embroider onto the fabric. If you are not familiar with embroidery stitching techniques as was the case with me. The internet is an excellent resource; do a general search, Pinterest has great pics of stitches and mini visual tutorials, YouTube has stitching videos as well. Above I choose some simple star and X-shape patterns. If you wish to add lettering or an image, it helps if you have a guide. Use a regular pencil to mark up the fabric. Stitch over the pencil mark.
No matter the stitch you use, you must make a knot in the back when you are finished with a segment. Add different stitch types for added variation. Once you are finished. Cut the excess fabric. Glue the excess fabric onto the hoop.
I love making new home décor items with the changing season. Here in Indiana we are saying goodbye to summer and welcoming in autumn. This is my favorite time of the year so I always look forward to Fall crafts. I thought it would be fun to create a piece of embroidery hoop art by dying and stamping a piece of linen I had in my stash. Enjoy!
Skill: Intermediate
Time: 90 minutes
Gather your supplies; make sure the piece of fabric extends approximately 2” on all sides of the embroidery hoop. This will give you enough material to secure it to the hoop once completed. Spritz the cloth with a bit of water to dampen. Sprinkle the damp fabric with Walnut Ink Crystals around the edges. I held the embroidery hoop over the cloth while I sprinkled the crystals to make sure they were where I wanted them to be. Spray Willow Walnut Ink Spray here and there over the panel. Let the fabric dry completely before moving onto the next step.
Secure the cloth in a stamp positioning tool. I used both magnets and washi tape to hold it in place. Stamp the desired image(s) using Memento Luxe Tuxedo Black ink, stamp a second and third time if necessary to get a deep rich image on the fabric. I also stamped several leaves using other colors of Memento Luxe ink around the edge of the panel while it was still secured in the stamp positioning tool.
Watercolor the image using All-Purpose Ink and a water brush or paintbrush, you may want your heat tool handy to help dry each area before moving onto the next. Continue coloring until you are satisfied with the image. Iron the entire panel to set the inks on the fabric.
Secure the fabric in the embroidery hoop; trim off the excess fabric leaving approximately 1” material to wrap around the hoop and secure to the back using hot glue. Stretch the fabric tightly as you secure it to the back of the hoop.
Use a Fantstix to apply dots of Vegas Gold All-Purpose Ink over the canvas for an extra bit of sparkle.
Make your own fabric cords necklace colored with All-Purpose Ink. The fabric creates a distressed look while the square metal piece creates a modern look. The added shine will catch the eye with a piece of Sheet Metal that works a buckle to hold the fabric stripes and connects them with the wax cord of the rest of the necklace. This is a super fun craft project but also will make a beautiful gift or fashion statement!
Skill: Advanced
Time: 1 hour
On a 14 inch-long piece of fabric mark triangles with a base of 1 ½ in. Cut 3 of them.
Color the stripes with the All-Purpose Ink and a medium paintbrush making large strokes. No need to fully cover the fabric. Let the paint dries or use a heat tool. Iron the fabric to set the paint.
Use a sponge dauber and the Memento Luxe in Rhubarb stalk to make a deeper red shade, fading the lightness of the red paint. Iron the fabric to set the ink.
Using a thin stick start wrapping the fabric stripe, beginning of the base. Use fabric glue on the edge to set it and move further. Continue with all three.
Cut in half a Sheet Metal ATC card and punch the corners with a round corner punch.
Use a metallic ruler or something steady and thin to nicely fold in half the Sheet Metal piece.
Glue the wider edges of the fabric cords between the Sheet Metal piece, making sure that they don’t reach the deep end of it.
Loosely braid the fabric cords at the beginning of them. Attach a flat jewelry end cap on the other side (at this point you can trim to the desired length).
Pass through the Sheet Metal piece 4 pieces of a waxed black cord 4 inches in length. Add a cap and lobster lock and you are finished.
For more tips on jewelry making please see Kyriakos’ tutorial.
Who doesn’t love the beach during the summer? Here’s a project that is easy, fun and inexpensive to make perfect to take along on your trips to the beach. It starts off with a t-shirt which will be upcycled to a roomy, no-sew tote bag.
Begin by trimming off the arms and neck of the t-shirt. Wad it up and saturate it with water. Spread out the shirt on a protected (or glass) work surface. Use a Doodlestix to flick yellow, gold, and green All-Purpose Inks onto the wet t-shirt. Since Imagine’s color of the month is Pineapple, I decided to go with green on top third and yellow and gold on the bottom two thirds of the shirt. Gather the shirt up and squeeze the ink through the wet t-shirt. It will create a tie-dyed effect. Add additional ink until you’re satisfied with the color or pattern. Let the shirt dry naturally, then be sure to iron both sides of the t-shirt to set the inks permanently (very important). Finish off the tote by cutting the bottom of the t-shirt into strips then knot. Your brand upcycled new tote bag is ready to use!
This little purse was inspired by the charming stamp set called “Faye” by Waffle Flower. The cute, crisp image was a great choice for stamping on fabric, and the size was just right for decorating a mini metal frame purse. Metal framed purses are not difficult to make, and there are lots of tutorials available on the web. The project always starts with drawing the cutting pattern; the sizes and shapes of the frames vary, and the pattern needs to be adjusted to the frame used. There are many tutorials for that step too! Try googling with search words “metal frame purse pattern”. Once you find a pattern and design you like then you can sync with this tutorial. The size of my purse is approximately 4 x 4 inches with plenty of space for the stamped image. It is also perfect for coins or your favorite cosmetics!
Skill: Intermediate
Time: 1.5 hours + drying time
Trace the purse pattern on the fabric. Stamp images using Memento Luxe ink. Heat set with iron.
Color the image and part of the background using All-Purpose Inks and Fantastix. You can dip the Fantastix directly into the ink barrel for coloring. The thickness of the All-Purpose ink is great for fine detailing on fabric. Use short dabbing stokes to make sure the ink soaks into the fabric fibers. Heat set with iron.
Place the fabric in an embroidery hoop. Using two strings of embroidery yarn decorate the colored image with straight stitches.
Cut the back-exterior piece and two identical lining pieces. Cut two pieces of fusible interfacing (without seam allowance), and iron them on the back sides of the exterior pieces.
Stack all four pieces with right sides together. Sew around the edge. Turn the purse around.
Using a zig zag stitch, attach a thin cord around the top edge of the purse.
Open the frame and practice putting one side of the purse in it (without the glue). Once you feel comfortable place glue inside one side of the frame. Wait a minute (or follow the instructions of the glue manufacturer) and work the fabric into the channel. Use a knitting needle to make sure all fabric is tucked tight into the frame. Remove glue stains immediately with a wet paper towel. Let dry for 30 minutes before repeating the steps on the other side. Once everything has dried, your craft project is complete! You can gift this to a friend and personalize any way you wish. Enjoy!
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