Trend Watch – Fabrics: Not Just For Sewing

Being a paper crafter for 15+ years, this Trend Reporter has experimented with (almost) everything; natural/hand-made papers, foils, vellums, tissue paper, heavy and lightweight card stocks and my latest favorite, water color paper.  But what about fabrics?  After receiving my very first sewing machine in 2010 and building a small inventory of materials, I started looking at my textiles in a different light.  HEY!!  What about using fabrics in card creations?

Creating with fabrics-where have I been?  Not a new idea, of course–artisans of centuries past used many different fabrics and materials to create with and upon, and we’re not just talking tapestries here!  Today’s paper crafting and multi-media artisans are including fabrics of all ilk’s-like canvas, cotton, linen, muslin and burlap-into their creations.

Fabric canvas and Sticky Back Canvas will take your stamped creations to a whole new level.  A little fretful about bringing canvas into your card designs?  If you haven’t used it before, how about beginning ‘small’ and use canvas with your die cutting?  That’s what Amy did here with her ‘hi friend’ card.  Not only are the stamped and inked, die-cut canvas butterflies her embellishments, they’re also her focal point!

Hi Friend! card by Amy Sotolongo-www.abstractsmixedwithextracts.com

Ready to create on something a little larger?  Take this mini-masterpiece from Julia Stainton. She’s used an ATC sized canvas panel to create her beautifully stamped and water-colored floral scene upon.  This gorgeous canvas focal point lends such depth to Julia’s card-Simply Gorgeous!

The Canvas ATC card by Julia Stainton-Belle Papier for Ellen Hutson

Remember T-shirt transfer sheets?  They’re not just for transferring images onto T-shirts anymore!  You can use these products in your fabric card designs, too.  You can either print out your favorite digital images onto it, or you can stamp (using permanent inks) your images directly, before ironing onto the fabric of your choice.  Some photo style stamps work best with this technique when using fabric as your surface.

Lynne Moncrieff is one of our modern day multi-media and paper crafting artisan’s that incorporates all kinds of textiles into her creations.  This darling Valentine’s card showcases a vintage digital image that she printed onto T-shirt transfer paper, then ironed onto a recycled piece of cotton.  Fabric-licious!!

When Cupid Strikes card by Lynne Moncrieff-Adorn

There are also pre-cut fabric shapes that simply need your creative touches to turn them into something spectacular.  Karen Crossen is using a tray to frame her garden of linen flowers that she treated with stencils and ink sprays.

Linnie Blooms Shiny, Happy Life framed décor created by Karen Crossen-I Just Need More Glue

Burlap is used quite a bit in card making, usually as a background piece or as a decorative layer or embellishment.  Stamping on burlap really enhances the rustic beauty of this rough material and can even be a little romantic.  Jill Hartline owns and designs her own retail and custom line of paper products online and one of her signature invitation sets includes a romantic, heart stamped burlap envelope, customized with the bride and groom’s initials.  Are you seeing burlap being used as a stamping surface in your future creations?  I sure am!

Parrish Wedding Invitation Suite designed by Jill Hartline for www.JillHartline.com

As paper crafters branch out and start making home décor pieces, we faithfully remain true to our craft and incorporate stamping into our designs.  Holiday times are usually a catalyst for coming up with home-made, hand stamped goodies.  Look at how Melanie used burlap to make these darling, stamped Christmas ornaments.

Stamped Burlap Ornaments by Melanie-Bliss Bloom Blog

So, whether you’re already using fabrics in your card creations or you are new to the whole idea, textiles can and will bump your creations up to that next level of creativity that will WOW even the most seasoned crafter and receiver!

Here are a few more images to really get your mojo in gear…

….Using Sticky Back Canvas and Distress Stains-

Wishing You a Beautiful Day card by Kim at Paperie Petals

…Stamping on fabrics-

A Family Affair wall hanging by Lynne Moncrieff-Adorn

…Image transfer onto Sticky Back Canvas, with stamping-

ATC Bag by Elly Pirally-Mixed Media and More

Don’t forget about adding some fabric surfaces to your crafting wish list.  Here are just a few to consider the next time you’re browsing online or when you’re near a fabric or craft store….

STICKY BACK CANVAS (available in white & natural)

BURLAP PAPER

FABRICS

Duck Canvas

Burlap

Cotton Monks Cloth

Linen

Muslin

Happy fabric crafting!

By Shari