Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Letterpress + Embroidery = Pure Fun!

A little over a week ago, I wrote a post about using my backpack printing press with some of my letterpress plates, but on fabric.  You may recall how it turned out:


Well, I've had a BLAST using this template, and I just finished the piece this morning!


I worked right from the hoop, and just used the lines in the print as a guide. My friend Lori had recently given me a bag chock full of beautiful threads, so I pretty much used those exclusively (thank you, Lori!).  I used some organza for the skirt and as you can see, I also used the "movement" lines to highlight the texture.  I also created "earrings" from beads I had left from a project I finished in about 1996.  :)  I chose not to backstitch her face or hands, lest it look "cartoony", but I did make her a brunette.   :)

I had this fat quarter of vintage-looking fabric that I thought would complement the print nicely, and just used fusible webbing to adhere it to the fabric.  I thought about embroidering the flowers but then decided it might look too busy.  

I am WAY psyched about this piece!! I mean, I really like how it turned out but even better than that it that it even worked in the first place!! I don't know where this new medium is going to take me, but the possibilities are endless!  WOO HOO!!  :D


5 comments:

  1. Oooooh Mel! I LOVE IT. Its so "Retro Hip"! You really got creative and I think very inspiring and well as inspired. The weather is changing here in Wisconsin and along with it your creativity has sparked. You've come full circle from the January doldrums and have now broken through to combine all your talents in a totally new format. I can't wait to see what your plans are...for future pieces! Congratulations you got your "mojo" back!

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  2. How beautiful! I love how you're incorporated different mediums in a new way! Go you!

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  3. You just keep on finding the most ingenious and awesome ways to use your talent! This is a gem!

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  4. Thanks so much to all of you! :D I just got a few more blocks and can't wait to use them in this capacity - my head's full of ideas! :D

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