Wednesday, March 14, 2012

discharging and stitching tulips

While I was at my swim this morning, my mind was preoccupied with how I would proceed with the tulips. I kept losing track of my laps! What I did was to take two smaller pieces from the snow dyed fabric to experiment with. I had two ideas; the first was to take discharge paste mixed with a small amount of green fabric paint and applied it around the tulips. I used quite a light hand here as I wanted a little color and I wanted it to fade into the pink. I added a little texture with a stamp(a piece of a plastic berry basket).

On the 2nd piece, I mixed the discharge paste with a small amount of bright orange fabric paint and then lightly applied it to the tulip shapes. Again I applied it sparingly because I still wanted to see some of the mottled effect from the dyeing process. Besides stamping again, I also pounced some discharge paint through a piece of paper lace.

Next, while I had the paste out, I mixed a bit of white paint and dabbed it over the snowflake stencils I had made for another piece a few weeks ago. I know winter is almost done. I just wanted to use the paste while I had it out.
 Once they were dry I ironed them. This is what activates the discharge paste. Then I rinsed them out, re-ironed and sandwiched them for stitching. I thought it would be fun to make the two pieces into more sewing kits. I want to do a little more stitching to add some sparkle and then finish quilting them. I may also add some iridescent paint sticks for shine.
 
Now that I've seen how my two approaches work, I'll decide which one to use on the larger piece. For now though I'll finish these up in the next few days.
Which one do you like best the first example with the green behind the tulips or the second one?

11 comments:

Flo @ Butterfly Quilting said...

love them both, it would be hard to choose!! The green one reminds me of a cool spring morning, and the second one a hot summer day. Sooo pretty!!

Wendy said...

green one for me please...

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

I like them both but I think the first one is a more realistic tulip.

Gill said...

Thank you for sharing your processes! I love them both

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

Wow!!!! what beautiful work Holly.

Debbie said...

Just wonderful. Can't decided which I like best, as the texture is great on them. I do like the snowflake....perfect for next year!

imquilternity said...

Oh my gosh...that sounds like a lot of fun. Love, love, love what you've done. I think the first tulip would be my choice, but I do love the second one too!

Margaret Applin said...

I luv, luv, luv the first one. What a great technique!!! I didn't realize you could mix paint in with discharge paste??!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

rtquilter said...

Really lovely, Holly! I love the subtlety of the colours and the delicate touch on the tulips. Just beautiful!

Mrs.Pickles said...

what lovely work! I really like the pink one :)

elle said...

You are so clever! I like the tulips in the first one but I like the over all look of the second best.