I joined a group of quilters for a Surface Design workshop.
In case you are not familiar with the term “Surface Design” I looked for a formal definition, found many variations but essentially fabric “Surface Design” is creating original patterns and prints on fabric using various mediums which can include dyeing techniques, printing techniques, drawing, painting, embroidery, etc.
Little did I know this was not my thing and that I would be happy to continue purchasing commercial designed fabric after my MISADVENTURE IN SURFACE DESIGN!
The other quilters were very experienced fabric surface designers and their quilts made with surface designed fabrics have shown and been award ribbons at Quilt National, been show internationally, and have graced the covers or pages of Quilting Arts Magazine.
Here is an example of one of the quilter’s amazing collection of fabrics she has surface designed to use in her art quilts:
And then there is me who was totally clueless.
They threw me right into it and I was introduced to the equipment and chemicals involved in fabric dyeing, screen printing, and manual surface design including how to mix dyes and how to prepare your fabric with a soda ash solution soak. We dried our prepared fabric on the clothesline.
Here I am trying to “surface design” (but only making a “hot mess” on fabric):
So I failed at surface designing but perhaps I will try it again someday like in a formal class and not with a group of expert surface designers, ha! For now I will stick with commercially purchased fabric that someone else has designed!
tierneycreates 