Saturday, November 29, 2008

I Painted Today...

A couple of months ago, I purchased this very pretty wool doubleknit from Metro Textiles. LindseyT purchased some of the same fabric and made this amazing military jacket from it. After reading about her jacket and viewing the pretty pictures, that red doubleknit came roaring back into my mind...proclaiming quite loudly that IT wanted to be used this weekend.

Now I had plans to use the $1 a yd. fabric from Fabric Mart...purchased to make that great vintage pattern and some components this weekend. That was my plan right up until I saw that jacket...*sigh* But the red doubleknit was all I could think of all day long yesterday...so I gave in. I know what pattern I want to use with the fabric...I just didn't have any red lining material.

I thought since I was leaving work around 3 pm that I could swing by the garment district and pick up a couple of yards for this outfit...however, after a couple of hours at work, I just didn't feel like going to the garment district! So what to do, what to do! I remembered that I had a beautiful black and white paisley printed silk charmeuse in the collection...maybe that would work.

Well I got home and looked at the silk with the doubleknit...nah, no good! But if it had just a little bit of red in the background, it would be fantastic! The wheels started to turn...I went to check my notions stash...and I found my painting supplies. I have an entire collection of fabric paints, fabric markers and stamps from the Dana Marie Design Co. formerly known as Purrfection.

So here is the fabric in its "before" state:



And here it is in it's "after" state, hanging over the shower rod curing for its 24 hours before pressing and cutting:



Now how did I accomplish this? First I covered my cutting table with an old twin sheet so that none of the ink would add any MORE stains to my cutting table!!!




Second, I used two types of red paint from Pelle's, Bright Red and Magenta, and a fine point red fabric marker.



Originally I was going to use a stamp in some of the white areas and actually stamped the fabric 2 or 3 times near one end



But I didn't really like the effect. Just filling in the design with the two paints and the fabric marker worked so much better. It took about five-six hours to complete...because I would paint an area, allow it to take (approximately an hour) and then move it and work on another area. After the second move, I got into a rhythm knowing which pieces to fill in first and which ones last. It was a very soothing and relaxing process.

So now I have custom made lining fabric specially designed to go with the red doubleknit. I will move onto cutting out the pattern pieces and working on the garments...but if I don't get a single item finished this weekend, I feel like I have achieved something great. I made my own lining!




37 comments:

  1. What a neat idea! I love the way it came out. Red black and white are one of my fav color combos.

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  2. I'm even more impressed than usual.

    If I may ask a political question, do you feel that President Elect Obama is moving more to the center, and if so, how do you regard the move?

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  3. This is so cool - if you don't have the perfect lining, make it!

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  4. This is a terrific idea and one that I'm sure I would never have thought of. Very impressed.

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  5. Wow, I never would have thought to do this! It's a fantastic idea and one I will probably steal somewhere down the track! Thanks for the inspiration.

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  6. Love it! I absolutely love how you made it your own and made it work for what you needed. I can't wait to see it finished in a garment. g

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  7. Genius! Necessity truly is the mother of invention.

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  8. Great "fix" for your fabric! Now, it will look extra fantastic with the red double knit.

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  9. Fantastic idea...love the "new" fabric!

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  10. i like how it turned out, love the color combo also

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  11. What a great idea - the fabric looks fantastic!

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  12. That is fantastic! I love what you did with that fabric!! That is going to look lovely with that red. I can't wait to see the finished outfit.

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  13. Omigosh you are fabulous and clever! I'm glad my jacket inspired you like this and I can't wait to see the result.

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  14. It's fabulous!that red was the perfect finishing touch to an already beautiful piece of fabric.

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  15. Love the fabric painting! I wanted to ask a question though...how do you treat your TNT patterns? I'm a new sewer and have a couple of patterns I could see myself making at least three times, is there anything I should do to preserve it? Thanks a bunch!
    Shawnta

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  16. just perfect!
    Isn't it so satisfying when one figures out a way to repurpose and have something that is unique to oneself?

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  17. As Tim Gunn would say "Make It Work" you did just that!

    What a terrific idea!

    Keep up the good work! I can't wait to see your finished project!

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  18. What a fabulous idea! Now you have your own custom fabric and it sounds like a wonderful way to spend a day. True, you don't have the jacket yet, but you have a beautiful piece of custom fabric that will make your garment all the more special.

    Big smiles.

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  19. Great idea! It looks so much better than it did originally.

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  20. I'm still reeling from the Dior Dress and now fabric painting... you are amazing.

    I've heard of painting fabric, but didn't know you can paint silk charmeuse. Sheesh, I'm learning something new everyday...lol

    I agree, we must meet up when the weather warms up and check out some of the Brooklyn fabric stores.

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  21. oooh, carolyn, i LIKE how that turned out! really really sharp.

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  22. It looks fantastic! What a great idea. It really pays to have all kinds of 'stash' doesn't it? You would never have run out to buy it on this holiday weekend.

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  23. Dang girl! You always amaze me with your creativity and talent. That fabric looks great with the touch of red. By the way I have that same silk charmeuse I think. Can't wait to see the garment from the red fabric and this lining. Thanks for sharing with all of us.

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  24. Wow, Carolyn, just WOW. That is just awesome.

    BetsyV

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  25. Very, very cool. It didn't take much, but those little bits of red just pop.

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  26. But the question is...do you more of this to make in other colors????

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  27. Awesome idea! I love how it turned out!

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  28. Brilliant idea! You are a genius. Now I "need" to buy some black and white paisley and do this myself

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  29. What a very creative idea with such excellent results. You are a WINNER!

    Karendee

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  30. This is SO creative!! And I love the results, fabulous!

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  31. This sure brings back memories (18 years ago) of a black on sheer (chiffon) paisley that "needed" some turquoise glitter to go with the top fabric of the dress.. guess what I sat & did for 2 days??? Great job! (And they said I was crazy... ;-)

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  32. AWESOME! What a great idea, you are so inspiring. Can't wait to see the finished jacket

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  33. Brilliant response to a need! And the great part is you enjoyed doing it so much and found it so relaxing. It looks like one of those creative, repetitive actions that really puts you in the zone. Those are great for the soul, when you can find them.

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  34. I love it, Carolyn! It's absolutely perfect -- and I'm impressed with your creativity.

    Jodi

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