Mixed Media Fun

I love to combine fiber with other art forms.  I find mixed media this vast fascinating art form with endless possibility.

I have been wanting to play with adding fabric to stretched canvas in various ways.  Before working with a large piece I elected to try with a small one, like most of my experiments with fabric.  Here are the results.

 Starting with a diverse list of items to play with.  I had read about how you can use sharpies to create a tie dye like effect and have been wanting to play with that technique.  I figured that would be my start to this little project.

 But first I wanted to prep my canvas.  I had this little set of 2 stretched canvas at a 2.75 inch size.  Using a thick layer of white acrylic paint I prepped the surface for whatever I wound up with.

 Then I grabbed the items for the tie dye.  I cut squares of off white and white fabric and set them in a tin lid.  I then added lines and dots of sharpies, then dribbled rubbing alcohol over the fabric pieces.  At first I tried using a paint brush to move the colors - but I found you really do dribble the alcohol.  I used up about 2 tablespoons before I was all done.

 Then I set my fabric squares to dry.  The alcohol evaporates - do NOT rinse with water until you are finished OR try to dry fast with an iron - alcohol is flammable!  One cool possibility I learned during this - instead of using scrap printed paper like I did, I would use paper I wanted to play with later instead.  As the alcohol moves off and evaporates it will transfer color to your paper - which you can use later!

 Once my fabric was dry i went ahead and ironed it and then cut a few in little strips.  I free hand cut, and then using grey thread free motion straight stitched them to my base fabric.  I did a kind of weave, leaving gaps to see the base fabric.  Then I put red thread on the machine and free stitched squares from one edge to the other.

I squared things up to the size I thought would work best on this canvas.  I did a quick red ink pen sketched squares to extend the design to the edges of the canvas.  Then it was time for mod podge.

I elected not to sew the fabric to the canvas as I didn't want added bulk or more thread than I already had showing.  Instead I used a matte mod podge and glued the fabric to the canvas, then layered more mod podge over the whole piece.

I let that dry overnight.  At that time I decided to add some dimension with beading and did a couple of lines of beads.

I just love the result.  A little quirky, and a rather interesting mix of color and form.  You will see what you want in this.  It would be fun to do a series of these little ones that will work together, but can be taken alone.

I still have my second prepped mini canvas to play with.  Then, I may brave the larger canvas I have waiting.
What would you do to add fabrics to a stretched canvas?  What are your favorite things to add to mixed media?  what is your favorite techniques to meld differing items together into a whole?

Til next time!