Thursday, September 17, 2015

Fabulous and Fun - Fabric Elements by Rebekah Meier

Always up for a "challenge", what could be better than to participate in one to show off this wonderful new line of "Fabric Elements" by Rebekah Meier.  Being asked to be a part of this challenge was awesome!  You can take up this challenge from Fabric Editions too!

This new product line is the perfect start or addition to anyone who loves to work with fabrics, who sews and loves anything  mixed media.  This line is just a small smidgen of the creativity from this fabulous, creative woman.

After receiving a package of elements from Fabric Editions, the process began.  What to make with this array of items?  With my love of sewing and quilting in mind, I chose to combine that and more into the project I created.



After studying the booklet "Techniques for Mixed Media" that is available with this line, the inspiration began.  

I started with the fat quarter fabrics and using all six of the designs from my supplies.  Basically for the base of the box pouch, I followed the direction from the booklet titled "patchwork".  This step calls for using EZ Steam™II, Fabric Elements ™Wool felt and various sized pieces of Fabric Elements™Dot fabric and Paintable fabric.


From there I continued with another technique from the booklet called mono-printing, stencilling and stamping on fabric.  For the stencilling, I used the stencil from the package and white acrylic paint.  To add some stamp images, use any bold stamps along with gold metallic paint.


The next step was to add paint to the entire surface of the fabric.  Here I referred to the technique called painting on fabric, along with the technique above, only with my own twist.  My color choices were all close to primary colors, knowing they would mix when brushed over each other.  For this process, I diluted my paints with water to make a transparent, thin paint.


With the white portions of the fabric looking too stark, I made a wash with gold metallic paint and brushed it over the majority of the piece.  It gave it a "tea stained" appearance without tea staining the fabric, plus it gave it a soft shimmer.


Once the stencilling, stamping and painting were complete, I ironed the pieces to wool felt pieces cut to the size needed to make the box pouch.  Use several decorative stitched from your sewing machine to stitch were the fabric pieces come together.

Before completing the formation of the box pouch, I stencilled one of the designs onto the pieces of Osnaburg fabric with white acrylic paint.


For some extra added touches, I dropped some splashes of diluted paint to the white zipper and brushed it with other colors as well.  Using just bits of trim from the line,  I created a flower embellishment.  This piece has a base flower made following the technique, "embellishments with wool felt", then snippets from the lace trims that are colored with diluted paints and finished off with a button center.  Finally,  a rolled bead was formed, also following instructions from the booklet, and then tied onto the zipper pull with ribbon.



I have made several of these box pouches recently from two different, purchased fat quarters per pouch and love the pattern I found online. It was easy to combine this pattern along with the materials I received to create the unique, one of a kind fabric that makes this one special.

On a personal note - I have totally enjoyed working with this line.  It is great for the beginner to the expert creative soul.  It has a nice combination of materials that can all be intermixed.  The substrates can be used as a base for any style mixed media designs.  Congratulations to Rebekah and Fabric Editions for bringing this to all who enjoy some creativity in their lives!  Bring us more, please!

If you have not seen the awesome ideas by the previous designers please take the time to visit the other participating blogs for more amazing inspiration.  You will find all the links here:

Rebekah Meier (9-1-15)
Cheryl Boglioli (9-3-15)
May Flaum (9-8-15)
Tammy Tutterow (9-10-15)
Julie Fei-Fan Blazer (9-15-15)
Madeline Arendt - that's me (9-17-15)
Fabric Editions (9-22-15)
Rebekah Meier (9-24-15)

Take up the challenge yourself and get to a JoAnn Fabrics store or online to find Fabric Elements™.



For detailed instructions, here is the link to a YouTube video of the tutorial to make a basic box pouch - Box Pouch Link


2 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thank you! So much fun to work with this line. I have another project in the works.

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