November: BUGS & BAGS

ONE STENCIL: The Cicada • NEW Design Directions

It's exciting to explore how new design directions can unfold through any one thing.....in this case, The Cicada Stencil. Here are some new design options I am playing with in my studio. A stencil, often thought of as just a surface design, can be so much more. Here some of my favorite current versions.

Weaving a Cicada- I wove the image of the bug (on the right above) on foam core. I printed the stencil on the warp threads and off to the side for reference as I worked. Large pins, laid flat at both ends hold the warp threads for weaving. This small, finished piece of fabric can be embroidered, used as a pocket, an inset or made into a closure....The shape and size are very appealing.

JEWELRY
The world of insects offers many beautiful colors and details.

For this bug pin, I stenciled the Cicada on black linen with Jacquards Lumiere (metallic) paint. Next a curved piece of plastic (yogurt container) was cut the shape of the bug and covered with some batting then the stenciled image to make him a 3-dimensional shape! SO cool...I know, this should have been the Halloween story right? After clip the curves and corners the fabric was adhered to the back with craft glue and sew the corners and curves to draw them in. Next is the fun...exploring my stash of odd metal bits, chains, beads and found metal treasures for just the right look. For more instruction on my covered plastic technique, pin weaving and stenciling see my Threads article info. on my bio page.

I must say, the round black elastic (used for legs on this piece) is one of my all-time favorite notions. Wrapped wire would be wonderful. A trip to the hardware store can provide some interested options too: I like the color and feel of bonsai wire...and speaker wire too, so be creative here!!!!! The finished pin will get a pin back then a leather or ultra-suede back to finish, leaving the ends of the pin back out.

Embellishing on Fabric
...is another direction your embellishment techniques might go. The raincoat fabric with stenciled with silver metallic Jacquard paints first... and am looking at the collection of possible additions next.

Creating Surface Design for Sewing

There is always a new idea that appears when You print fabric! Look at how beautiful some of the images on the Cicada Stencil start to suggest the design on a folded, origami style garment! Using a dressform can really help to move an idea forward towards an actual garment design in a very different way than stating with a sewing pattern. These photos, showing placement of different design elements, printed in metallic fabric paints, is a fabulous way to inspire new direction in your work. Want more stenciling design technique, ideas and support? See the trailer for the streaming videos available on my website.

Sometimes the scale and placement of images are an important piece we get in the draping process: For example, seeing the scale of the design along a neckline edge above, and how the wing shape might be repeated floating down the back is giving lots of ideas going forward.

The Raven Bag

This printed version of the Cicada Stencil was combined with the picket fence stencil on linen for the front pocket on the bag. Lightly brushed with a dry brush and white paint gives a faded patina to the stenciled image.The combination of fabrics adds to the collaged designs on the bag. I enlarged the bag pattern by adding extra seam allowances all around for a larger bag.

Sheri Rand created this beautiful version of the Raven bag (above) from her collection of vintage linen, napkins and obi fabric. The addition of the handstitching is a lovely accent. Using the Raven Bag Pattern, consider the cross over strap can become part of the design of an outfit when collage or other accents are added.