Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Creating Fabric Collages with Lynn Krawczyk's Stencils

I know you heard about Lynn Krawczyk's beautiful new set of stencils called "marked" from artistcellar! There was a fabulous blog hop including many wonderful artists who used the stencils in lots of creative ways! 

I'm excited to share how I used them too! Plus a give-away! Just scroll down and leave a comment to win the set of four stencils.
I decided to play exclusively with sheer fabrics. So, I pulled out tulle, cheesecloth, organza and chiffon in a variety of colors. (By the way, I love Lynn's signature on the packaging of the stencils.)

Here are two of the stencils laying on two different fabrics and the Adirondack color wash ink...

that I sprayed over them.

The chiffon bled a bit, but created an interesting look. I love the speckle you get with a spray.

Next I used acrylic paint and my beloved spouncer tool.

Check this out! So ethereal and subtle! This is very light blue paint stenciled onto navy blue tulle.

This is a reverse print. First I dabbed paint through the stencil, then I flipped it over and pressed it onto the purple organza.

After an hour or so of painting, spraying, dabbing and printing, I had this collection of printed sheer fabric.

Now the fun part... actually this is just more fun! I began cutting and arranging pieces to create a small fabric collage. I added some solid fabrics as the base.

Eventually, I ended up with these two designs. I machine stitched curvy arched lines over the top and trimmed them.

Another fun part: hand stitching!
Can you see the stenciled pattern on the blue organza. I really love these shapes!

Here is a bit of the cross shaped stencil with machine and hand stitching.

I call this stencil macaroni, but its official name is "commas." This is that reverse print you saw earlier.

Here is a bit that was created with the spray ink. The best part of creating a collage with layers is seeing how those blue shapes look different as they sit over the lavender and then transition to sitting over the blue base fabrics.

Finished pieces...
Concordance, 6x6 inches

Alliance, 6x6 inches

I mounted both pieces on stretched canvas and painted the edges. Here they are hanging. Isn't it fun to see them in a real setting!?

Stencils are a great addition to my studio. I love the ability to create original fabrics in unique ways with stencils, then pair them with other printed and solid fabrics to create collages that have depth, detail and interest.

Let me know how you would use the stencils in a comment and I'll pick one random comment to receive Lynn's set of stencils. You have one week to comment. I announce the winner on Wednesday, August 20. But if you must have them now now now... check out the amazing collection at artistcellar. Lynn's are there, plus lots of other stencils by other fabulous designers.

22 comments:

katelyinmt said...

Using these stencils would be something new for me. I live how you showed each step; so many ideas came alive for me!

Kathy Angel Lee said...

Thanks for posting the step by step. I liked the idea of using the sheer fabrics and that you showed them finished and hanging.

Linda Evans said...

I like working with sheers, but have never painted them, so your pieces inspire me to explore that technique

Misty said...

I have one set of these stencils and they are awesome. Could always use more, for art journaling too! BTW I love your hand-stitched arcs.

Gerrie said...

Love the two little pieces you made with the printed sheer fabric. Great work. I would love to add to my stencil stash!

bmerves said...

I have some sheer fabrics lurking in my stash. I'm going to follow your lead and try my stencils on the sheer fabric.

Jenny Williams said...

I love these two pieces! The size is great and I like how you've mounted them on painted canvas. I have not used stencils, but I would love to play with them on sheers and other light fabrics. Hope I am the lucky recipient!

Terrie said...

Very nice use of Lynn's stencils. Lovely soft color and great design.

ida said...

Such lovely soft work! I would love to use them in one of my project3verse16 pieces!

Jane LaFazio said...

Love your little quilts, love how you presented them and love Lynn's stencil! Great post.

Cathy von Hassel-Davies said...

I love your technique. As a mixed media artists and sewer I love the combinations.
Hugs!

Linda Strowbridge said...

I always love your use of sheers, Deborah. I've been doing more surface design lately. I think it's time to try paint on sheers. Be well!

Jennifer Scantlebury Vienneau said...

I have some fabric I sun printed this summer and I would use these stencils to begin create more complex cloth. Love the idea of stencilling on sheers!

Dee Spillane said...

Cool uses Deb, love how you showed us your process.

Stacy Hurt said...

Very nice~ I too love the addition of stencils in my work. I really like the stencils that aren't a particular thing. Something abstract, because then anything can happen! Thanks for sharing. Your hand work always inspires me!!

Dotti said...

I love how these two pieces came together...I'm going to have to pull out my stash of fancies and get busy!

Rebecca said...

I love how you chose to use on sheer fabrics. Your two pieces are beautiful. If I won I would use on my fabric postcards.

Micheline Lepine said...

Like what you did on sheer fabric. I think Artistcellar are the best out there.

Rachel Parris said...

I would use them to play and learn. Stuck in a funk and these look like a way to move on.

Mary Ann Littlejohn said...

Enjoyed seeing your process. Looks like fun. I love her stencils too.

Barbara said...

I would use the stencils on my painted papers. Such simple designs can be used in so many delightful ways! Thanks for sharing your fiber creations!

Lisa Flowers Ross said...

How do you mount your pieces to the stretched canvas?