I have had a lot of interest in my tinted linen post, and thought that I would show a better step-by-step project using this technique. This project 'The Bunny Pillow' came from the book Vintage Tinted Linens*Quilts, although you can use any image or pattern you desire. Let's get started!
STEP 1:
Find an image that you like and trace it or photocopy it. I traced this with pencil first and went over it again with a Sharpie so I could see the detail clearer. Tape it in a window or door where there is plenty of light shining through, or you can use a light box if you have one. I'm sure there are easier ways to do this, but this is what works for me.
STEP 2:
Take your fabric (I used a cream colored muslin, cut a little larger than the image to allow for a seam allowance or have enough extra to play with) and tape it over the image on the window. You should be able to see the image pretty clearly. Trace the picture lightly with a sharp pencil. I like to use pencil because my picture won't disappear or smear!
Make sure you trace it lightly, because it won't come off and you will need to cover the pencil mark with your embroidery thread. This is what it should look like after you take it off of the window.
STEP 3:
Lay your fabric on a smooth surface and tape down all four corners and the top, bottom, and sides. You don't want your fabric to shift while you are coloring. I outline each individual piece in the color I want to use to give me a boundary/guide line. This will be covered up in the end by your threads.
Here are a few tips that I have learned while playing around.
* Use a sharpener to get a sharp point on your crayons. This helps to get in the corners very nicely!
* Have a scrap piece of fabric to test colors on. Sometimes they look different depending on the tint of the fabric.
* BLOW AWAY crayon dust instead of wiping...it will smear, and you won't be able to remove it!
* Use cross-hatching of different colors to get a blended texture. I used this in the pants of the little man.
* When using flesh tones DO NOT OUTLINE, as the pencil makes it turn a funky grayish color. Just color up to the pencil line.
* White
crayon is good for blending and smoothing colors out. Black is good for
adding depth and shading to colors. Just be very light when using
black...a little goes a long way!
* Use black as an outline (like around eyes and small details at the very end. Black tends to smear a lot
with other colors.
STEP 4:
When you are all done coloring your heart out, its time to press and get the crayon all melty. Take two pieces of blank paper and place one under the fabric and one on top of the fabric. Set your iron on a 'Cotton" setting. Press the paper sandwich trying not to get to crazy with the iron. Iron in a smooth slow motion. You should smell wax and see the image coming through the paper a bit.
The longer you hold the iron on the more the crayon melts. You can press multiple times, making the image lighter each time, just make sure to use a new blank piece of paper until the crayon doesn't bleed through anymore.
After about three different pressings, I turned the fabric to the wrong side, placed a piece of paper under it and ironed the back for good measure.
Here it is all melted and smooth. In the image below you can see that there must have been some black flecks and a little smear near the eye...just adds character and charm to the piece! You don't want it to be too perfect.
STEP 5:
I like to add a piece of batting to the back of my project before I start to embroider. I think this adds a little more dimension in the end. Cut the batting the same size or a little larger than the piece because it will shrink up a little as you start to stitch.
Place the piece in an embroidery hoop, get out your threads, find a nice comfy chair, some great tunes (or movie) and sew to your hearts content! Don't forget to try different stitches, variegated threads, and beads to add detail to piece.
Well, there you have it! I hope this was helpful and inspiring....be back later to show you my final 'Piece de Resistance'!
