BEADED/DECONSTRUCTED SCREEN PRINTED FELTED WOOL

[ncquilter]

I've kinda fallen off the map as closing down my 25+ years of traveling quilt instructor/author etc. has consumed my time.  Bead embellishment is a big part of my work.....here's a piece I'm currently working on.  The background was commerical clothing quality white wool material.  As you all are probably aware....not all wool will felt....this shrunk a bit but never felted (and I didn't really expect it to).

The appx. 15" sq. design was created with deconstructed screen printing using a plastic stone/pebble plastic sink mat as the resisit and two colors of thickend dye.  After drying and a final rinse and dry.....it's been stablized for hand beading.  You may notice basted squares.  Those are my stitching guides as this piece will be mounted on a canvas wrapped frame.

A fused glass cabachon has been attached with beads and the background now features simple embroidery stitches.  Next I'll be adding bead/stone dangles to the focal bead and probably other design motifs.....to be decided.  

I'm heading for Phoenix to do a private Art Camp with a couple of gal pals....students who have now become friends.  This year we are going to play with wet felting vessels/bowls.  Will take lots of pictures.....as always, you can follow my blog www.marystori.blogspot. com  to see my lasted work and adventures.  Will continue to share the development of this piece here. 

[luvswool and dyestuff]

Had to read your title twice to understand what you were doing! It’s an involved process, and I will be following with interest your progress. How do you stabilize or beading? I once added a few beads to a seascape, but did not need stabilizers, as the felt provided the stability. Are you anticipating a lot of beading?

[Pandagirl]

Mary, I can't wait to see the finished piece. So much intricate work. I love the glass cabochon.

Enjoy your art camp. It sounds like a lot of fun.

[MTRuth]

Cool - I love the deconstructed screen printing process. Your private art camp sounds wonderful. Do let us know how it goes and have fun!

[ncquilter]

In answer to Cathy's questions.... Yes, I anticipated more beading.......and with a finished size of only 5"x7"....that weight will affect how the piece behaves. I almost always thread baste Pellon's Light-weight Sew-In Interfacing to the wrong side of the work. (full service fabric stores carry lots of styles of interfacings).  I never use the fusible kind.....due to the surface texture of felt it won't adhere properly over the long haul when handled a lot for hand stitching.

I almost always secure the material in a QSnap frame to further stablize the work....heavily felted pieces may not require that extra support but this piece did, even with the Pellon stabilizer.

Here's an updated look at what I did yesterday.  With a keener eye this morning, I decided to remove that hunk of beads (that lead to the trail of beads) directly below the cabochon.  The flow isn't good......not sure what the fix will be yet as there's not much room inside that thread basted section!

feltingandfiberstudio.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/148oo6bamrcnit0znfmt.jpg

[luvswool and dyestuff]

Mary, that explains a lot--only 5 x 7 inches and much more beading. The tail looks cool. Watching your progress with much interest!

[ncquilter]

It's taken me most of the day....but 'Desert Comet' is complete.....now attached to the canvas frame, backing in place as well as hanging device.  After more un-stitching of some of the beadwork and then trying several other approaches.....this is what I ended up with.

Finished size 7" x 5".......as you might expect, it's better in person!

 

[Pandagirl]

Gorgeous Mary!