HAND MADE POSTCARDS/PAINTED SILK HABOTAI
©2010 Debbie Babin All Images and text are copyrighted; do not copy.
Making postcards is a good way to try out new techniques.
This tutorial will explain the process I used.
I decided to experiment with painted silk. Using the season of autumn as inspiration for design and color, I decided on a simple graphic design of numbers and letters and a limited color palette of natural organic wood tones.
1- I made a quilt sandwich with 4 layers, from the bottom>muslin, thin batting, timtex, white habotai silk. Temporary spray bonding held the layers in place. Both cards were made as one piece and cut apart later.
2- Free motion quilting and invisible thread defined the design. I didn’t want to put marks on the white silk, so I free handed the design.
My signature was included.
3- Types of Paints and inks:
Ranger Ink Adirondack Color Wash (spray bottles) to color the silk. Colors used: Raisin, Butterscotch and Expresso. I think this is a type of “ink paint”.
Lumin Arte-Radiant Rain paints (spray bottles) Colors: Coral Berry, Persimmon These paints have opalescent ingredients that give off a gorgeous sheen.
After the first spray application, the cards were left to dry overnight.
The next day, I decided to enrich the color by spraying a few more light applications. The Lumin Arte brand soak into the fabric more than I wanted. This product is actually meant to be used on paper; however, subtle iridescent qualities are achieved on fabric. I continued to add more paint until I was pleased with the effects.
4-The two cards were cut apart.
5-The edges were finished by machine. I used a button hole stitch with verigated thread, however, this did not show up as well as I had hoped so I added a second round using the zig zag. What an interesting effect the two stitched had when combined! I love discoveries like this.
6-I initially planned to add another layer of backing fabric before finishing the edges to cover the stitching and paint; however, I liked the effect of the paint soaking through the muslin, so I left it that way. I wrote the information on the back with a black sharpie and added a paper label for the recipients address.
7-I used a bronze paint stick to enhance and highlight the design.
8-Several pieces of “exotic” yarn were couched onto the surface.
9-A few beads were hand sewn into the path of the yarn. A few extra highlight one corner near my signature.
The end result:
The sheen of the silk is gorgeous and the iridescent effect of the Lumin Arte paint enhances the silk even more. The cards finished beautifully
understated . I was very pleased with this technique and now feel confident to use it for other pieces I make.