Fusing fabric

I've been keen to try fusing fabric for some time and now that I've completed Part 3 I feel I have a bit of time. This can be accommodated as "surface structures" I'm sure.

My soldering iron has several "nibs" so I tried most of them.  I gathered various bits and pieces to help with drawing lines and I used acrylic felt topped with 3 layers of organza.

I followed the instructions in Fusing Fabric by Margaret Beale.  I made a range of possible marks on paper then did similar ones on my fabric.  I was warned in the text that holding the soldering iron would be the major challenge but I found it comfortable.  At first it was tricky to get the right pressure on the soldering iron and once or twice I almost went through the felt but I was fairly pleased with the result.

Towards the end I was able to get quite fine marks that didn't go through all the layers.  I'll look forward to trying another project soon.

This work is taken from Fusing Fabric p 24 and is an exercise in scoring fine lines. At first is used a small item as a ruler and got indifferent results but when I tried a standard metal ruler things were better.  I found that yesterdays work helped and I didn''t go through the fabric much which is surprising because it's only layers of organza.

This one is from p22 and deals with making eyelets.  It is on felt and I found no trouble in burning right through!  I tried various shapes and was pleased with the result.  These are both quite pretty samples even though they were just a bit of practice.

I've also tried fusing plastic bags using my iron with varying results.  This is another job that needs a lot of experimentation to get it right.  For the first two examples there was no thought of design just the task of getting things to stick

Too hot but some interesting textures and colours

Less wrinkles and interesting marks in the middle which was two sorts of plastic meeting

On the last one I placed the pieces much more carefully and was rewarded with something that was worth stitching into.  I laid pink background then wavy lines of black and white.  Over the top I put a paler pink. Throughout this I had lots of problems with static; the pieces were attracted to my fingers and were really tricky to place.

I used the marks left by the fusing to stitch on or round

The last task I've set myself in this fusing project is to make some beads.  I used Gwen Hedley's Surfaces for Stitch for my instructions and it looked straightforward enough.  How wrong can you be?  I needed at least two pairs of hands and thread that didn't disintegrate when it got hot.  Nevertheless I made a few beads with various degrees of success but the frustration quotient was high.  I've ordered some more specialist thread that is supposed to stand distressing.  I'll be trying again when it arrives.

I've enjoyed this little diversion.  It gives me another way to use fabrics and the combination of fusing and stitch opens up a whole new range of possibilities.  Eventually I'll master the beads as well!

I did some research last night and found other ways to do the beads without metallic thread so this morning I had a try.  What a difference.

First I used the instructions from Carolyn Saxby.  There was no winding of thread and therefore it was much less frustrating.

I also followed a youtube video that feathered the edge of a single triangular piece of tyvek.

There was no discernible difference in the way they performed although I found the heat gun I have borrowed seemed to offer  a variable performance probably as a thermostat kicked in and out.

I put small beads on wire on two of the beads and wound silver metallic thread on the third after it was heated.  In spite of being easier I also think they are more effective than yesterdays work.  Maybe with better thread I'll change my mind.

PS  My 5 year old grand daughter loved making her beads.

Beal, M.    2005,  Fusing fabric.  Batsford, London
carolynsaxby.blogspot.com
Hedley, G. 2004, Surfaces for Stitch. Batsford, London
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi4OJU9o_sk