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Daily 5 quilt ideas Quilt Embellishments 5 Free Quilt embellishment ideas including and surface embellishment

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Florabundance: Metal as a Surface Embellishment 1 An Embellished and Embroidered 3 mAry Hettmansperger Jill A. Kennedy Fun with Rods, Cocoons, 4 and Bark Put a Little Zip in Your Art : stef Francis 2 Designing and Embellishing with Light Up Your Art Quilts: Jamie Fingal 5 Embellishing with LED Electronics cHEryl Sleboda

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uilting embellishments for art Stef Francis shows you how to have Q quilts run the gamut from beading “Fun with Silk Rods, Cocoons, and and first popularized when Bark,” turning these hand-dyed natural crazy quilting began in the Victorian treasures into quilting embellishments Quilt era, to metal that lend richness and whimsy to your Embellishments pieces, found art. 5 Free Quilt objects, and Finally, Cheryl Sleboda shines a light on Embellishment Ideas even lighting. modern embellishment techniques with including Crazy In fact, today’s “Light Up Your Art Quilts: Embellishing Quilting and Surface contemporary with LED Electronics.” Embellishment fiber Quilt Embellishments: 5 Free Quilt artists who Editor Vivika Hansen DeNegre Embellishment Ideas including Crazy experiment online editor Cate Coulacos Prato Quilting and Surface Embellishment will with unusual open your eyes to the possibilities of creative services quilt new and old embellishment techniques! division Art Director Larissa Davis embellishments incorporate elements of Photographers Larry Stein crazy quilting in their , breaking Warmly, Projects and information are for inspira- the rules and stretching the boundaries. tion and personal use only. F+W Media In Quilt Embellishments: 5 Free Quilt is not responsible for any liability aris- ing from errors, omissions, or mistakes Vivika Hansen DeNegre Embellishment Ideas including Crazy contained in this eBook, and readers Quilting and Surface Embellishment, Editor should proceed cautiously, especially you’ll find inspiration and how-tos with respect to technical information. F+W Media grants permission to pho- for creating embellished fiber art in a tocopy any patterns published in this contemporary way. issue for personal use only. In “Florabundance: An Embellished and Embroidered Patchwork Paper Collage,” Jill A. Kennedy shows how to make a crazy quilt-style paper quilt Take Quilting Daily using decorative crazy quilt stitches and beaded embellishment. on the go Jamie Fingal creates modern versions with the FREE Mobile app for of the crazy quilt, using metal your iPhone or iPod Touch. embellishments like zippers, safety , and hardware to enhance her rebel A swipe of your fi nger quilting style. In “Put a Little Zip in Your gives you access to: Art Quilts: Designing and Embellishing with Zippers,” Jamie shows how to give e latest posts, free your quilt design some “tooth.” patterns, and eBooks Fiber artist and jewelry maker Mary Over 100 how-to videos Hettmansperger explores “Metal as a Tips and techniques from Surface Embellishment,” focusing on industry leading experts how to use metal cloth for quilting embellishments. Heat, patina solution, Get your FREE and hammering can all change the Quilting Daily app at look and texture of hardware cloth, www.QuiltingDaily.com/app mesh, and screen for use in fabric *Apple, iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, and iTunes are trademarks of Apple Inc., embellishing. registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Non-US residents: if the above link does not work for you, feel free to browse our selection of Apps from within the Apple App Store itself by searching for “Interweave”.

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Adapted from Quilting Arts Magazine abundance une uly ‘flor ’ J /J 2009 An embellished and embroidered Patchwork paper collage

by Jill A. Kennedy

Quilt Embellishments: 5 Free Quilt Embellishment Ideas QuiltingDAILY.com 3 ©F+W Media Quilt embellishments Quilting Daily 5 quilt embellishment ideas or me, nothing is more satisfying than being able to create artwork materials Fthat combines several of my favorite mixed-media art techniques with embroidery, incorporating, too, my passion for and love of • Construction paper or handmade paper: a few sheets in different color which, especially at this time of year, are in abundance. color tones • Wax crayons Patchwork paper-fabric • Gold paint stick • Pointed tool such as an awl or a background dry pen • Colored inks (or leftover fabric dyes) Background • Paintbrushes: soft bristle or sponge • WonderUnder®, ½ yard 1. Choose a color scheme and ® your materials. Take 3 sheets of • Iron-on Pellon , ½ yard paper (construction or handmade) • Parchment paper and draw shapes, patterns, and • Iron and ironing board lines with colored wax crayons. • machine and accessories (A Cover 1 sheet of paper with size-90 needle is a good choice.) circular patterns, another with • Machine threads: , silk, linear patterns, and the third sheet polyneon, and metallic with just plain colored areas and • Needles and hoop for hand embroidery no pattern. Push down firmly on the crayon to ensure that you leave • enough wax on the paper’s surface • Decorative and threads to resist the ink. Try rubbing the • crayon sideways across the paper For embellishment leaving a broken textured effect, • , sequins More decorative yarns and threads as this will give nice resist results 3. Take a large, soft paintbrush or a • when the ink is brushed on top. sponge brush and apply colored • Acrylic paints Layer different colors on top of inks. Let them blend together • Muslin each other, and leave some areas and flood over the waxed paper, • Rubber stamps of the paper without crayon so sponging off any excess if it gets • Gold stamp pad that the ink will soak in, giving too wet. Leave the papers to dry, • Soldering iron and heat-resistant mat a contrast to the waxed areas. allowing the ink to resist the wax. • Sheer fabrics such as organza, Build up a collection of at least 3 twinkle, voile different decorated papers. 4. To build up a rich surface, apply • Tissue paper or water-soluble gold paint stick. Let the design stabilizer Note: Hard wax crayons will resist the guide you as to where to use it. • Hoop for machine embroidery ink more than soft wax crayons. Now apply a darker ink over the 2. Now use a pointed tool and scratch gold wax and leave the papers to into the wax to create marks and dry again. give texture. These marks will 5. Iron the decorated papers between suggest areas to later. sheets of parchment paper, melting Tip: For pattern inspiration, check out the wax into the paper. Repeat with books on oriental rugs and carpets. more wax crayon and ink. Dry the papers and iron once again.

Quilt Embellishments: 5 Free Quilt Embellishment Ideas QuiltingDAILY.com 4 ©F+W Media Quilt embellishments Quilting Daily 5 quilt embellishment ideas Turn paper into Tip: Make sure you use a large-eyed paper-fabric machine needle to cope with the metallic threads, the thickness of the paper- 1. Iron a piece of iron-on interfacing fabric, and the embellishments being to the backs of your papers. Use a stitched. medium heat, between the and settings, and remember to 2. Machine stitch along the lines use parchment paper over and under forming the patterns; use both your papers to protect them, as well straight and varied-width zigzag as your iron and ironing surface. 2. Once you have out the pieces, stitches. Working from light to lay them face down in position on dark, change threads regularly, 2. Take a piece of WonderUnder and parchment paper. Make sure all of building up an interesting stitched iron it to the fronts of the papers. the edges butt up to each other, surface. Variegated threads look Leave it to cool and then peel away leaving no spaces or gaps between. good, too, and add subtle color the backing paper. 3. Now lay a piece of iron-on changes. Do not over-stitch the Note: If you remove the backing interfacing on top, cover with more paper-fabric; aim to enhance the paper while it is still warm, you will parchment paper, and iron well to design with stitching that still get a duller surface than if you leave fix it in place. allows the design to show through. the fusible to cool before removing the 3. To add a different stitched backing paper. 4. Determine your desired finished size and cut out your favorite area texture to the surface, wind 3. Now comes the really fun part! This from the paper-fabric. I chose a embroidery floss onto the , always scares my students, but I 9" × 9" square. bypassing the tension spring in assure them, and you, that it won’t your machine, and machine a be disastrous. Taking your decorated upside down. Be papers in hand, completely crumple Stitch, sure to lower the upper tension and scrunch them up. This will embroider, before stitching. Draw a pattern soften the in the papers and onto the wrong side of the make them feel more like fabric. embellish paper-fabric where you wish to Make sure you crumple them well, Now that you have created your place your design, and machine all over, to ensure that sufficient patchwork paper-fabric it is ready stitch following the drawn lines. softening occurs. for embroidery, embellishment, and Alternatively, for a more random stitch. effect, use a vermicelli stitch. Assemble the paper-fabric Free-motion 4. Choose some space-dyed knitted background embroidery ribbon, or similar, and couch this into place using a free-motion 1. Lay out your papers and select Note: You will not need to place the areas from each to cut out; paper-fabric in a hoop as it is stiff rearrange them to make one piece enough to machine stitch without one. of paper-fabric. At this stage, do 1. Set up your for not worry about the finished size. free-motion embroidery. Use a Tip: Don’t be afraid to cut the papers clear monofilament in the into halves, quarters, thirds, etc., mixing bobbin to save using your special them together. Think about balancing threads. Use your thread of choice the composition by choosing areas that on the top. Select colors that match have pattern and placing them next to and complement your chosen color areas without. scheme.

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digitally embroidered or free-motion embroidered. I also create what I call “ ribbon,” or a ribbon of stitched circles. And finally, I create my own cords for embellishing my work. For detailed instructions on how I make all of these embellishments, go to the Quilting Daily community (quiltingdaily.com) and click on "Free Resources." Once you’ve created your stitch or any pattern stitch that’s embellishments, the fun is in deciding built into your sewing machine. where to position them. Maintain a Again, be guided by the design balanced composition and place the you drew on the paper as to the embellishments where they will make placement of the couched ribbon; 2. Work French knots in the centers the most impact. remember to keep the design of circles and swirls, etc. Grouping balanced. them together creates a raised, 1. The floral motifs form the main textured area. focal point of the collage as they 5. Lightly zigzag around the 4 outside are large and stand proud on the edges of the paper-fabric to secure Tip: A running stitch or decorated surface. Using a clear and protect them. makes a good outline and/or border thread, stitch a few stitches around stitch. Using these on top of the machine each flower center—just enough to Hand stitching stitching will add depth to the design. hold them in place. You can layer a To add contrast to the free-motion small on top of a large motif stitching, incorporate a variety of hand to create more depth. embroidery stitches, again picking out details in the design to help with 2. Cut your cutwork ribbon to length, placement. There are many books arrange it as you desire, and stitch available on the market covering hand it in place. I like to lay it half embroidery stitches. Look online for off one edge—this creates more free tutorials and refer to past issues interest and attracts the eye. Then I of Quilting Arts Magazine (see Leslie place another piece on the collage Levison’s articles in Issues 1–16). in a different direction, again having the end slightly overhang I have used a simple running stitch, the edge. backstitch, and French knots; be as adventurous as you like. 3. Loop the cord down one edge, stitching it in place as you go. I 1. Look for spaces inside areas in left the tail long enough to couch the design that need accentuating. down in a curlicue design on the Use metallic or embroidery mbellishments E surface of my piece. floss and work long straight I love to create a variety of stitches across the space. Vary the embellishments for my pieces. I make 4. Take another length of cord and thickness and type of fiber you use embroidered floral motifs primarily tie knots every inch or so to add for added textural interest. using two substrates: a painted another feature to the edge of the and stamped muslin, and layers of collage; stitch this in place. sheer fabrics. These motifs can be

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Finishing 5. Introduce fine detail to the collage When all stitching is complete, cut a by sewing on beads and sequins piece of felt to size and sew this to the to accentuate the couched lines, wrong side of your patchwork paper heighten the stitched areas, and, of collage to neaten the back. course, add some sparkle. jillkennedy.com

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Adapted from Quilting Arts Magazine put a little zip October/November 2011 in your art quilts Designing and Embellishing with Zippers

materials

• Fabrics of your choice • Wool-blended felt, black and red • Thread • , 2 yds. (I use zipper trim from Indygo Junction.) • Fusible web • Sewing machine • Scissors • Zipper foot Optional • 1 short zipper • 1 zipper pull • Free-motion foot

by Jamie Fingal

Quilt Embellishments: 5 Free Quilt Embellishment Ideas QuiltingDAILY.com 8 ©F+W Media Quilt embellishments Quilting Daily 5 quilt embellishment ideas hen you want to add a little dimension, texture, or just a fun zipper foot is the narrowest foot; Waccent to your art quilts, zippers can play the part. Zippers can it can get into tight places and is great for applying other trims be a little tricky to work with, but once you get the hang of sewing too.) Always have the zipper teeth with them, the embellishment possibilities are endless. I am partial visible to you when you start to to zippers with silver metal teeth and black trim, but recently I came sew. Do not overlap the zipper across a line of zipper trim from Indygo Junction that offers a variety trim. (Accidently running over the of trim colors and metal teeth. I’ve had fun using these colorful zipper teeth with your sewing machine could bend and break the sewing trims in some of my pieces. machine needle. Be careful.) If you how much of the fabric trim prefer, you can stitch zippers and Directions should show. zipper trims into place as I do: I use a clear, closed-toe free-motion All of my art quilts are made the same 4. Sew the zipper trim into place, foot with a and no way. I use black wool-blended felt as anchoring your stitches at both pins. a foundation, and when the piece is ends, and taking out the pins as complete, I back it with wool-blended you sew. If you are new to working Note: I use black thread in the felt in a different color. The following with zippers and/or zipper trim, top and in the bobbin, but feel free to use directions will guide you to create a use a zipper foot and change the whatever colors you desire. This process quilt with zipper trim accents. For location of the needle, depending is not about perfection, but rather about more ideas on how to incorporate on where the metal teeth are. (The having fun with your creative process. zipper trim into your art quilts see “Variations.”

1. Select fabrics with colors and patterns that pop. Prepare them with fusible web. Cut and arrange your fused fabrics on the black wool-blended felt to create a background design. Feel free to mix and match colors and patterns, just as long as they are in the same value family. Fuse the background design in place.

2. Select fabrics for your design elements (such as a house, flowers, teacup, leaf, etc.). Design and build each of these elements separately (on separate pieces of wool felt).

3. Select zipper trims to incorporate into your individual elements (see “Variations”). the zipper trim under the edge of the wool felt in the areas where you would like to add it, taking care to determine

“Tea Fairy House” (detail on previous page) • 15" × 15"

Quilt Embellishments: 5 Free Quilt Embellishment Ideas QuiltingDAILY.com 9 ©F+W Media Quilt embellishments Quilt Emb 5. design componentstotheprepared Arrange andpinyourindividual e each elementintoplace, background design.Using a free-motion foot,sew llishm e nts: 5Fr removing Quiltee Emb 6. Quilting Daily Quilting length withapairofscissors. it intoplaceandcutoff theexcess it underthewoolfoundation. Sew of zipper trim into place by tucking edge oftheart quiltandpinastrip has beenadded),start attheupper completion (butbefore thebacking quilt edges,whenyourisnear To addazipper trimaround the teeth. to avoidstitchingoveranyzipper the pinsasyougoandtakingcare e llishm e nt I nt d e as 5 quilt embellishmentideas QuiltingDAIL Y.com ©F+W Media “Kauai House” • 15" × 14" 010 Quilt embellishments Quilting Daily 5 quilt embellishment ideas

7. Turn your piece 90˚, and pin 2. Place a length of zipper trim another strip of zipper trim into underneath the inside of the place. Do not cut off the end yet. window, along one side only; pin Sew the trim into place, taking it into place and sew. the pins out as you proceed. Cut 3. Cut the excess zipper length at off the trim at the end of the side, the end. Repeat for the next three so that the trim does not overlap. sides. Continuing in this manner, add trim to the remaining two sides, if Leaves with you wish. zipper veins 8. Back your quilt with a large piece 1. Use a fabric with a large of wool felt. (I like to cut the leaf print. Cut out a leaf backing a little larger than the and fuse it to a wool-felt quilt top, to add extra color.) Free- backing. motion machine quilt the backing 2. Cut small slits where the into place along the edges and in veins of the leaf are (not key places on the quilt to anchor every one, but perhaps it. Add additional free-motion two on each side). The quilting and hand embroidery as slits have to be large desired. enough for the zipper 9. For easy hanging, use tabs from teeth to be visible. the top of aluminum soda cans; 3. Do one slit at a time. (It just sew them to the back of your is a bit tricky to hold this piece. all in place.) Position the zipper trim in the slit, pin, and Variations sew. Repeat. Then cut the excess Follow these instructions to zipper length and teeth on the incorporate zipper trim as windows, sides. Zipper flower round flowers with zipper petals, and 4. Pin and sew your leaf into place on center big leaves with zipper veins on your your piece. 1. Cut a fabric circle for the flower art quilts. Each of these elements is center and fuse it to a piece of prepared individually, on a separate Zipper stem wool felt. piece of wool felt, and then attached 1. Cut a fabric strip for the stem, and 2. Take a strip of zipper trim and cut to the prepared background. cut a slightly larger piece of wool 1 slits into it, about ⁄4" apart. (The felt as the backing for the stem. Zipper window slits will help the trim to be sewn 2. Cut a length of zipper trim, place it 1. Starting with a prepared house on more easily without puckering (built on a piece of wool felt), cut underneath the stem, and pin. so it will lie somewhat flat.) a slit in the center of the house 3. Sew the zipper trim in place; cut 3. Pin the zipper trim around the fabric with a pair of scissors; cut off the excess length as needed. outer edge of the circular flower out a square. Repeat on the opposite side of the center. Carefully sew it into place. stem.

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“Urban Footscape” • 5" × 7" (top) and “The Little Black Dress” • 12" × 12" (bottom)

1 4. Cut petals about 1 ⁄2" long from background design (the trimmed 8. Pin and sew the flower stem into two colors of zipper trim. The petal ends go underneath the place, being careful not to overlap petals will be positioned so that flower center). the zipper teeth with the flower the center flower overlaps them center. 6. With the center of the flower under slightly. To ensure that the petal your and jamiefingaldesigns.com strips will lie flat under the center using a free-motion foot, secure flower, snip away about 1⁄ " of the 4 the flower center and the petals by teeth at the top of each petal (make sewing just inside the zipper on sure the metal part is always on the the flower center. same side of the petal strip). 7. Remove the pins, and free-motion 5. Pin the flower center and the stitch a loop design on each petal petals into place on your prepared to secure them to your art quilt.

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Adapted from Quilting Arts Magazine December 2010/January 2011 embellishment part 3: metal cloth

n the first two installments of this column, I discussed the use of materials Icopper foil and wire as embellishments on the quilt surface. This article addresses the possibilities for using metal cloth (hardware cloth, screen, • Metal cloth of your choice (see “Metal Cloth: An overview of and mesh specifically; see Figure 1) in fiber art. I will offer several hardware cloth, screen, and mesh”) techniques for altering and using these woven and pressed grid surfaces, • Ball pein hammer (typically used for ) and discuss their versatility on the quilt surface. • Small bench block or anvil • Metal snips or utility scissors Keep in mind that there is a definite cloths. They are all interesting surfaces • BernzOmatic® QUICKFIRE® difference between hardware cloth, that can add dimension and interest propane torch screen, and mesh—and that hardware to your fiber art, offering a variety of • Firebrick or other nonflammable cloth is nothing like what we consider design options for any quilt surface. surface cloth to be (see “Metal Cloth: An • Protective eyewear overview of hardware cloth, screen, Directions • Bowl of water and mesh”). Galvanized metal cloth is • Latex or protective gloves easily found in most hardware stores. Applying a patina • Liver of sulfur (I prefer to use the Other metals like silver, copper, brass, with heat rock form.) and steel are also available through Copper, stainless, and brass materials • Flat plastic container metal manufacturers, some craft can all have a heat patina applied to • Steel wool stores, and jewelry suppliers. their surface to create an aged look. • Paper towels I encourage you to experiment with (Figure 2) I prefer to apply heat with these a small micro torch or a BernzOmatic nonflammable surface. Light the different propane torch. torch and hold the flame about 4"–8" metal Caution: When using a torch, be away from the metal. You will see the sure to wear protective eyewear; surface begin to change color. Do not work on a safe burning surface hold the flame in one area too long (I use firebricks); have plenty of or the finer meshes and screens may ventilation; and keep a bowl of burn through. If the heat is applied water available for quenching for too long, the color can completely and safety. I always do surface disappear. torching outdoors. Lay the material flat on the firebrick or other by Mary Hettmansperger

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Figure 1: Hardware cloth (above), mesh (below), and screen (bottom)

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Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5

Applying a patina kind can be used. When handling sulfur rock in the bath. Quickly dunk with liver of liver of sulfur, always follow the the metal cloth into the bath, and once sulfur manufacturer’s recommendations on you see the color change, rinse off the the packaging and wear both safety liver of sulfur and place the material Liver of sulfur can also be used to glasses and protective gloves. on a paper towel to dry. After the age mesh or screen that is made of material has darkened, you can take Fill a flat plastic container with very silver, brass, or copper. I prefer to use steel wool and remove some of the hot tap water and place a small liver of liver of sulfur in rock form, but any patina, leaving a rich antique-colored tone. (Figure 3) Embellishing with metal cloth screen and fine an overview of hardware cloth, screen, and mesh mesh Screen-size woven cloth, when used Screen and mesh are types of woven metal cloth, also known as wire cloth. Wire cloth as a flat embellishment, creates the comes in a variety of metals; silver, gold, aluminum, nickel, brass, stainless steel, and copper are easily found online. The weave or grid of wire cloth comes in many sizes look of screen doors and windows. It (determined by the grid count per inch): course wire cloth ranges from 1 × 1 to 16 × can also be used to capture fabric and 16, medium ranges from 17 × 17 to 60 × 60, and fine ranges from other materials on the quilt surface. 61 × 61 to 1500 × 1500. The largest weave is often used as fencing, and its open grids (Figure 4) Screen is easily cut with can be great for adding stability to a quilt surface; it can also be used as an internal utility scissors and can be used in a stabilizer for a quilt that has heavy surface embellishment. I have also found smaller variety of designs and applications; weaves useful for adding a stiff surface to a quilt top. finer screens can be stitched through Metal screens are available in many different sizes and materials, and I find that they on the machine. (Figure 5) The are all beautiful to add to the surface of art quilts. Metal and plastic screens often come material and grid size of the screen in a standard-weave grid for bug protection, are both found in hardware stores, and are used for window and door inserts. will determine the look that will be achieved. Mesh, often referred to as woven cloth, is the most pliable wire cloth and the best for shaping on the surface of a quilt; it is usually woven of a very fine wire and has an Mesh, a tight and finely-woven extremely dense weave. material, can easily be cut, crumpled, Hardware cloth is like a pressed or fused grid, and has the most open weave. All open- folded, shaped, and then applied to weave materials offer your quilts a grid surface in which you can stitch, , embellish, the quilt surface in a variety of ways. and alter. (Figure 6)

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Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 6

Adding structure a ball that functions as a knot on the you want to achieve, you back of the piece. To do likewise, burn may want to try extreme Heavier woven cloth, or hardware the end of a piece of thin 26-gauge heating to create a distressed look cloth, can be inserted inside a quilt to wire; if the ball is not big enough, on mesh or screen; you can even give it structure. (Figure 7) I like to hold it longer in the fire or hammer it burn holes through the surface, then use hardware cloth as an internal layer gently to make it a little larger. (For attach the mesh or screen to a quilt since you can hand stitch into it, but more details on this process, see my top. (Figure 9) Use this method with it can also be a great outer surface that column in the October/November copper, brass, or silver to create a very allows you to weave through the grid. 2010 issue of Quilting Arts). Using a interesting aesthetic. small amount of tape on the back side Attaching maryhetts.com with wire of the fabric is also a good trick for making Metal cloth can be attached to the the thin wire’s knot surface of a quilt with wire, thread, hold. , floss, or string. (Figure 8) Many stitching and embroidery techniques Extreme can be used when doing this. heating When using wire to secure items to Depending the surface of a quilt, I like to create on the effect

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Recently I started working with mulberry bark that I dyed myself. The bark can be used just like fabric and stitched into by hand or machine. I have made a small bag using layers of dyed mulberry bark, silk rods, and dangling jesters. The handle to the bag was made from tubular ribbon, stuffed with double wool, scrunched up, and bound at intervals with copper wire.

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Adapted from Quilting Arts Magazine fun with Spring 2005 silk rods cocoons by Stef Francis AND bark t exhibitions I am frequently asked, “What do you do with it?” in Areference to some of the items I sell. Most recently this question has come up concerning silk carrier rods, silk cocoons, and mulberry bark.

simple stitches in my work: straight stitch, stitch, and French knots, made with space-dyed yarns and threads in a variety of colors and textures. I add beads, sequins, and gold leaf to enhance my designs. ilk rods Silk carrier rods are a waste product S produced when the silk filament is First, you can pull the layers of rods wound off of the silk cocoon in the apart for interesting effects. After first stage of silk yarn production. pulling the rods apart, you can stitch The rods are about 4” to 5” long two of them together at the edges with and resemble a split tube that can be a simple running stitch to create a pulled apart into several thin layers raised frill. Continue in a like manner and then teased to expose the fibers. adding more rod pieces to produce a They are useful in embroidery, paper- piece of rectangular ‘rod fabric.’ materials making, and other fiber arts. When Dye does not fully penetrate the rod, I use silk cocoons I cut off the end • 5 pieces of dyed mulberry bark and as you separate the layers, the in order to remove the moth, and • Fat quarter of hand-dyed fabric colors become increasingly pale, often the ends resemble an acorn. They turning white with a colored wavy • 2 or 3 packets of silk cocoons are useful in embroidery for general edge. (See ‘’ picture.) • 2 or 3 packets of dyed silk rods adornment. All the silk materials that When you have a large enough piece • Some space-dyed yarn for stitching I obtain are in their natural state, so of rod fabric, place it onto a piece of • Beads and sequins, as desired I dye them in a variety of colors with hand-dyed background fabric and • Sharp scissors cold water Procion dyes. • Metallic and other novelty threads stitch into the fabric and the rods. Although the results look wonderfully You can add additional bits of the rod •  complex and intricate, I use fairly pieces to complement the design.

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Embellished jesters are tied to a ribbon cord to make a fun necklace.

Silk cocoons Below are some project ideas: Cornucopia

Stitch beads on them and add them to with beads and sequins tumbling out of the cut end. Jester

Using sharp scissors, cut a zigzag pattern into them, starting from the cut end. This weakens the opening and allows you to push them over A an uncut cocoon. (I call these new cocoons my ‘jesters’ as I normallyA do them in fairlyA bright colors (see ‘Jester’ B picture). C Layered Jester B

To make a layered jester join two cocoons together as follows. After you have cut a jagged edge for the jester cocoon, slide an intact cocoon inside of it. Starting with a needle and Hand-dyed cocoons in a variety of colors are ready to be embellished and made into art.

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Cuff bracelet

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A A A

B C B

Figure 1

thread, stitch through the center of to use them. You can use them in Further ideas both cocoons so that thread emerges conjunction with your textured rods A small brooch on the outside at point A (see figure 1). as I have done with “Nephensis”. To Finish them in the same manner as Push needle back into the inner create this piece: before with a small piece of rolled-up cocoon at B and come out again at A. 1. Place a cocoon with its opening rod. Enter the inner cocoon at C, come upwards. out at A. Continue around until the A cuff bracelet cocoons are safely joined. I have found 2. S elect a rod of a complimentary Using a running stitch and various that a thimble is a definite necessity color. Take a layer from the rod embroidery yarns, stitch into the for this work. Use a metallic or fancy and roll it up like a Swiss roll. cocoons and add some French knots.

thread. Once the two pieces are 3. Put a dab of glue on the rolled end Embellish further with three jesters, joined, the fun starts, as I embellish and push it into the cut end of the beads, and sequins. them with beads, sequins, and stitch. cocoon. A fun necklace

4. Repeat this with the other cocoons, Use stuffed ribbon scrunched up and Mixing rods and when finished, fan out the knotted with jesters hanging from the and cocoons exposed frilly edges of the rolled front. rods. After producing a number of newly stef-francis.co.uk adorned cocoons think about how

Quilt Embellishments: 5 Free Quilt Embellishment Ideas QuiltingDAILY.com 22 ©F+W Media Quilt embellishments Quilting Daily 5 quilt embellishment ideas light up Adapted from Quilting Arts Magazine your art quilts December 2010/January 2011 embellishing with led electronics

materials

• LED light that rates under 3.4 volts (This is usually indicated on the package.) • 20mm, 3-volt coin cell battery: CR2032 • Finished art quilt or ATC • Conductive thread • Regular sewing thread • Sewable battery holder • Hand- • Permanent marker • Small-tipped needle-nose pliers • Craft knife • Scissors • Anti-fray glue, such as Fray Check™

was given some circuitry supplies by my husband last Christmas. by Cheryl Sleboda IThough I knew I wanted to put lights into a quilt, I didn’t know the 2. Using your needle-nose pliers, best way to go about it until I started reading on the Internet about how grab one of the LED legs by the fashion design students were using LED (light emitting diode) lights in tip, then slowly and carefully twist their garments. One thing led to another, I created my first circuit, and the leg into a spiral shape as close it really took off from there. LEDs are a truly unique embellishment, and to the plastic base as possible. (Figure 1) all the necessary parts are readily available at your local electronics store or online. I’ve found they are a particularly fun addition to ATCs (artist 3. Using the pliers, carefully bend the spiral outward so that it will trading cards). lie flat on the back of your quilt. permanent marker, color the (Figure 2) Do the same with the Directions longer leg right next to the plastic other leg. Once finished, make 1. LEDs have one long leg and base of the LED so you’ll be able to sure you can still tell which leg is one short leg; the longer leg is tell which is which once you bend the positive lead by looking for the the positive lead. Using your the legs into shape. permanent marker coloring.

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4. Select the spot on the front of tips for working your art quilt where you want with the LED to be inserted. Using your craft knife, poke a hole lights in your quilt top at this point • It is important to follow the positive through all of the layers, just and negative leads, or the circuit large enough for inserting won’t be complete and the lights the LED. You may need to will not light up. make your hole X-shaped • Choose a project that is not meant to avoid distorting the quilt to be washed. If you must clean the top too much. If so, use quilt, remove the battery and use a your scissors to snip off the damp cloth to very lightly wipe the points of the X so they do surface of the quilt only. not cover the LED. • Do not use lights on projects that will be near or given to a child—or Tip: If you are concerned about for people who behave like children! fraying at the LED site, use a Beware of small parts around your very small amount of anti-fray children and pets. glue to seal the edges, but do • Remember that voltage matters; not apply anti-fray glue once if you have an LED that is rated 5 the LED is inserted, as it will not come 7. Using volts, a 3-volt coin cell battery is off of the plastic section of the LED. Wait the conductive thread, not enough to power it. If you will until the glue is dry before inserting the and starting with a large, secure be inserting many LEDs in your LED. knot, hand sew a running stitch quilt, you can chain the leads to the just through the back fabric of battery holder. However, you may 5. Insert the LED, pushing it through your quilt, connecting the positive have to add additional batteries the quilt back to the front. Using and holders to accommodate lots lead on the LED to the positive regular sewing thread and a hand- of LEDs, as too many LEDs in one end of the battery holder. Make circuit drains battery life quickly. sewing needle, the LED in several passes through the LED place by stitching through the I recommend reading a children’s spiral leg and the battery holder • spiral legs. Don’t cover all of the book on circuitry to learn more to ensure a good connection, and about how these electronics work, metal as you will need something end with another large, secure as children’s books are very easy to for the conductive thread to attach knot. Do the same for the negative follow. to. leads. (You may want to use a very • To turn off your light, remove the 6. Place the sewable battery holder tiny amount of Fray Check on the battery from the holder and store on your quilt back in a location conductive thread knots as the it in a safe place. You can even near the LED, but at least 1" away. thread is slippery and can unravel.) make a for the battery on the quilt back, but don’t leave it I like to put mine close to the Note: Do not let the threads cross each stored there for long periods of time bottom of the quilt. Note which other or you will short out the LED and (such as months) in case it becomes are the positive and negative leads battery. damaged and harms your quilt. on the battery holder, and angle the battery holder so that the 8. Insert the battery into the holder, conductive threads (which will be aligning the positive and negative stitched between the LED legs and marks. Enjoy the light show! battery holder) will not cross. muppin.com

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