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Thursday 13 January 2011

Fabric Collage - How I Did Mine


I think I may have another addiction (as well as altering matchboxes that is!) - fabric collages!

This post follows on from the previous one where you'll see I've made 3 of these collages in not as many days!

Here's a brief summary of how I put the 'Daisy Cottage' fabric collage together.

Start off with the cross stitched cottage


Cut a rectangle of cotton for the base


and re-inforce it with something sturdy - I had this roll of strong hessian type stuff which was ideal.

Machine stitch the hessian strips onto the cotton base (sorry the photos are a bit dark)



I machine stitched up and down each row and top and bottom, this is what the back looked like when I'd finished.


Stitch a narrow edging of lace around all four sides


At this point I machine stitched a handwritten label on the back


That's the base done, now to start decorating the top.
  I decided to use some paper - sheet music and aged it around the edges with Distress Ink.


The next stage is the most time consuming, but also the most fun - sorting out what layers to use.  I laid the various lace and fabrics onto the base before stitching anything down to get a rough idea of what it'd look like.


When happy with it, start stitching!


I coloured a bright white lace flower from a curtain edging (thanks Mum!) with Distress Inks so it blended in better.


I also added a few beads to the cross stitching, a vintage button for the centre of the flower, some hanging beads at the bottom and a horseshoe for good luck at the top right hand corner.


I gave it a simple hanger of twine (braided three lengths together and knotted them at the back). 
Here's what the finished back looks like.



 I attached rusty keys to the first two fabric collages



I think I now need to go shopping and hunt down more cross stitched cast offs, lace, buttons, keys - and anything else which I could use to make more - these addictions must be fed - lol!

Thanks for looking!

15 comments:

Jan said...

Looks like you're hooked! Fantastic results xxx

Mrs A. said...

Gorgeous and not a loose thread any where to be seen!!!!
I have a little cross stitch house I did on my lunch breaks at work. It is finished but never done anything else with it. Now I know. Praps we could start a trade up.Lol.
Have you noticed our numbers have all changed on WOYWW. You were 103 now your me. I was 98 now I'm 93. Tertia is now 88. Now I don't know who I've commented on as I just write the numbers down in a list and tick em off as I go. Der.

John Dyhouse said...

Looks great Sherry

Michelle said...

Love your crossstitch houses. Would love to be your partner for the swap. This type of crafting is new to me. Have never done a sampler before. Thanks for the instructions.

Michelle

Createology said...

What a wonderful way to honor those little cross stitched pieces that get orphaned. I love love love your collage work. Thank you for showing us in detail how you do it. This is a really good addiction to have! Keep creating...

Luna Art said...

These look so great Sherry! You inspire me so much, who would have thought some little cross stitch houses from the charity shop could be so re-vamped! The rusty keys look great attached to them x

Unknown said...

Stunning work Sherry! And what a great looking cottage, wouldn't mind living in one, LOL! It's good to see "an old" technique again, cross stitching is fun! Love all the different layers you used, too!

Healing Woman said...

Very, very lovely. Thanks for showing your techniques too.

Sherry said...

Very, Very pretty! Love the little houses. I can't wait to get started making one!

Sherry

Terry said...

Those fabric houses are amazing! I can't believe how lovely they turned out! Love this!!! Have a great weekend!

Deborah said...

Sherry, you are such a hive of creativity! Wonderful.

JaN's ArTy JouRneY said...

You amaze me Sherry!
So much inspiration!
I've got a little stash of x-stitch pics that I made many moons ago, and didn't even think of adding them to a fabric sampler until your posts!- Will have to dig them out now!
Fabby works (as always) and thanks for sharing all the deets on how you made it too :)
I'm also in on the fabric sampler swap, can't wait to see who we have has our partners this weekend!

Jan x

PetraB said...

This collages are wonderful. The variety of techniques you used is amazing. Thank you for sharing the project.

Happy Kathy said...

Awesoooome!!!Thanks for sharing!!!

Clara said...

It's amazing! It seems simple and easy to do, but the fact is that you have magic hands. Enjoy your week, Clara.