Totally textile

By Spotlight

Experiment with off-cuts to create a one-of-a-kind creation.

Final Result

Materials

• canvas 46cm x 92cm (18” x 36”)
• 1m dark toned, textured fabric
• 0.5m lighter coloured fabric
• fabric scraps in variety of colours & textures including sheers
• scraps of sinamay - variety of colours
• netting
• assorted beads, yarns & feathers
• scraps of decorative, textured papers
• spray adhesive
• hot glue gun & glue sticks
• scissors
• iron
• optional - staple gun, sewing machine

Step 1

Cover the canvas with the larger fabrics placing the lighter coloured fabric on the top third section of the canvas. Wrap the fabric around to the back of the canvas firmly and secure with either the staple gun or the hot glue. Finish one edge of the darker fabric on the sewing machine or simply fold the raw edge under and press, then secure to the bottom two thirds of the canvas in the same way.

Step 2

Cut the fabric scraps, netting, paper and sinamay into square and rectangular shapes of varying sizes and round the corners. This canvas has 9 separate decorative units. Build the units by arranging the fabrics on top of the canvas without gluing them down, then move them around until you are happy with the placement.

Step 3

Cut the yarns into varying lengths and arrange on top of the fabric, netting, paper and sinamay units. Place the beads and feathers on top and move around as before until you are happy with the design. When you have created the desired arrangement lift off one at a time and glue the layers of each unit in place.

Handy Hint

Colour and texture are important elements when creating a collage.