The lovely Yoshimi the Flying Squirrel will be literally flying! and over here! She has revealed her travel plans, so now I may say something too… I am thrilled to say that she is coming to visit me on her way to the bloggers meet-up in Melbourne. I will be so happy to see her again, and am super excited to show her around Perth! I’m planning for, and hoping that she will have a really wonderful time here, and I know she will have an absolutely brilliant and fun weekend at the Melbourne meetup with TJ and Maria and all the other Melbourne gals too. Exciting stuff! 😀
In current doings, I’ve been mucking about with fabric paint again today…
I bought this lightweight mustardy-chartreuse silk in ?Tessuti’s? I think? during my
girly trip to Melbourne with Mum and Cassie last year and it’s been burning a hole in my conscience. I’ve reeeeally wanted to make something interesting with it but couldn’t think what and it was fast becoming too precious to cut up. Finally I’ve thought of something… hopefully this will turn out cool in the end.
My initial grand plan was of a more realistically shaded horse, with sharply defined edges outlining rippling equine muscles and tendrils of mane billowing gorgeously in the slipstream… those pie-in-the-sky ideas had to be abandoned when experiments revealed that the paint bled like the blazes on this silk. Oh well. Embrace the limitations, and all that! And a serendipitous one; since the splodgily abstract nature of my print brings to my mind the markings of an Appaloosa horse. Ok, I’m happy!
The technical blahdy-blah…
I drew my design, gave it a grid so I could enlarge it to a good size to fit my piece, and then traced it onto the fabric using water soluble pen, although tracing probably wasn’t necessary in the end. I mixed a hefty blob of black fabric paint into about 2 cups of water, in a plastic spray bottle… just one of those cheapies you see in the gardening section of the supermarket for your seedlings. Some experimenting was necessary to determine a good ratio, giving a solution that was thin enough to spray without clogging up the nozzle, and yet had enough paint to leave a mark on the fabric.
Cut out my stencil and sprayed away. I also sprayed the other pieces; and as lightly and as thinly as I could, painted in some mane and body contouring streaks with a paintbrush, separately.
This will be appearing in wearable form, tout de suite…
In other sewing news, I have decided that I might quietly do a stitchers guild SWAP this year. I’ve bought a few Australian Stitches magazines over the years and, like lots of people, Lynn Cook’s wardrobe planning was always my favourite bit. I discovered that following her example was an established sewing blog thing-to-do last year, with rules and a time frame and a competition as well! man, I’m so behind the times 🙂
Anyway, I’ve really admired everyone’s SWAP wardrobes, and thought that maybe my own rather random sewing efforts could do with a bit more planning… so sensible! a new concept for me 🙂 I might not actually enter my SWAP into the official competition… I mean, you are only allowed to make one thing before 26th December, whaaa??? don’t know if I can wait that long! But I do like the whole idea of following the rules and making a co-ordinating mini-wardrobe. So I’ll see how I go. The stash has been raided for some likely looking candidates and I’ve sketched out a plan of attack…
The horse-y fabric may or may not become the first “thing” 🙂
The horse is absolutely gorgeous! If you don't make it into something wearable, you could just hang it on your wall instead!
And how wonderful your friend is visiting! I'm always super excited when my friends fly in and show them where I live, so I'm sure it will be great for you two!
So clever, you are getting very good at screenprinting. How lovely to meet up with sewing bloggers.
Totally amazing Carolyn. Looking forward to the sewing. Thanks for commenting on my vintage woe, I am over it today! I might keep that pattern for a few more years in the bottom of my sewing drawer! Jo x
That horse is absolutely beautiful…amazing!!! I can't wait to see what you make out of it…wow!!!
Wow, that's a wonderful looking horse – terrific work, and I'm sure you're going to turn this into something beautiful.
Unbelievable work! You are so talented. And have a great time with Yoshimi.
Gorgeous horse painting!!! I can't wait to see how you incorporate it into a finished, wearable form!!
I love the abstract feel of the horse! I really can't wait to see what you make out of it!
Wow, you have some real art skills. I am in awe!!
This looks so beautiful! Reminds me of the horse prints Stella McCartney did at Chloe back in the day: http://www.well-dressed-sister.com/chloe%20vintage
love the horse and its more graphic look versus realistic. I think it goes with the fabric style and will look forward to seeing it as a garment. I am envious of a blog catch up!!!
I love the horse (of course) and am so enchanted with your recent work in screenprinting and so on. Very cool Carolyn. I know you will enjoy doing the SWAP but I will also add that you are really already doing it on your own. Your sewing seems to follow it's own path, and always results in a wardrobe or capsule.
It looks great. I cannot wait to see what you make of it.
Your printed fabric is gorgeous and will make such a unique and personal piece. Have fun with Yoshimi!
I have to try this one. The effect is something I was looking for to make a maxi dress last summer! Lovely and very artistic!
Looking forward to seeing what you do with this lovely beast. And what you do with the SWAP (official or unofficially). Envious (in the nicest possible way) of the blog meetups – do enjoy yourself… 🙂
I love your explorations into making your own prints. This will make an incredible garment
Amazing piece of silk and can't wait to see what gem you produce. I'm sure you and Yoshimi will have the best time together and like SarahLiz I am envious! Wonderful to hear you are going to dip your toe in SWAP, and look forward to seeing what gorgeousness you create. You know you can make more than 1 thing from now to December 25 but only 1 can be counted in your total!
Ooh, lovely, lovely, lovely. Can't wait to see what you do with this one!
Carolyn, you leave me very surprised … you have drawn the horse and then you've painted the fabric, so cute!! Enjoy your visit!
the horse is beautiful! It has pleased my eldest daughter. I am amazed donations drawing (and a bit jealous ….).
You are truly an artist extraordinaire! Love the horse in motion!
It's absolutely stunning!! I'm anxious to see the finished project and enjoy some photos of it!! You are sooooooo talented, dear Carolyn. Mmmm bloggers meeting … that sounds fantastic!
You are very talented girl! It`s amazing:)
I love horses! Your painting on fabric is amazing! I wonder what you are going to make with it.. It's so beautiful, I would be sorry to cut it..
Wow, this is beautiful! You are a very talented drawer/painter!
Awesome! Can't wait to see this!