Embellishing Techniques

There are many techniques available today to embellish fabrics, quilts and clothing: dyeing, appliqué, photo transfer, cutwork, hand and machine embroidery, and thread painting (free-motion machine stitching) are just a few of them. Here are free tutorials on some of the techniques that I use in creating my embellished vests and wall hangings.

Several years ago I took some courses at Snip & Stitch Sewing Center Ltd. in Nanaimo, BC, to learn to use some of the features of my new sewing machine. Two weekend workshops in particular were responsible for the new direction of my sewing: "Embellished Vest With Flair" and "Fabric Landscapes", both developed and taught by Kathy Schroter. Kathy is a very talented and artistic person and she has a wonderfully relaxed and friendly teaching style that makes learning easy and fun (and she's nice too!). One of the workshops even included a champagne brunch on the last day. If you are in Nanaimo, stop in and say hello - all the staff are great people. You can also check out their web site or e-mail Kathy.

I have incorporated some of these techniques into my textile and fiber arts and added a few variations when the need arose. The freedom to try something new rather than just use the old "you must do it this way" system that I grew up with is wonderful. Of course, there is no substitute for learning the basics but once you have, then expanding on them is lots fun.

How many of you have all the space you need? I don't see very many hands raised. If, like me, you end up on your hands and knees on the floor to cut out patterns and such, then see the cutting table page. This a coroplast table that packs away in a storage box, weighs less than my sewing machine, will support up to 200 pounds distributed weight, and is reasonably priced. Since creaky knees seem to come with gray hair, this table is a blessing to me.

I hope you find something in these tutorials that you can apply to your own textile and fiber arts.