Workshop – Final Places Available

Make a fabric bird, or two, or something else that makes your heart sing at the fabric design. workshop on 2nd June. Book now with Sue of Stitched Up and Fleeced, Sheffield’s leafing textile studio.

For more details about the workshop click here . To see inspiration for what you might like to make visit this link. There really is no limit to what you can design and make.

Here are some examples of workshop attendees designs.

Hope to see you on 2nd June. If you’re too far away let me know where you are and how you like to learn and we can find a solution for you to try these techniques.

Book the workshop and enquire now by contacting Sue at Stitched Up and Fleeced using this contact form.

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Reflecting on 4 Colour Full Years

It is four years since I decide to push visual arts to the top of my priority list.

Major knee injury meant I had to pass on the opportunity that I’d been hankering for years, to manage the PR for Meadowhall. Facing months on crutches and unable to drive, life was taken up by the countless rehab exercises and everything normal took three times as long. With a recovery period quoted in years rather than weeks time began to feel different. I had so little time spare that I had to get to the nub of spending time how my soul needed and what emerged from valuable sessions with my wonderful life coach Heidi-Mai, was art… making… creating, colour, I felt like there was a whole lot of colour and creations inside me that needed to be let out into the world. And so my visual art journey changed up a gear and I began to prioritise this work, moving it from the ‘indulgent, blissful hobby’ to the ‘if I don’t have much time available I’m going to spend it on what feels great’. And with a feeling of naughty delight I signed up for an Art Foundation course.

What an exploration it has been, and continues to be. I’ve  always enjoyed a steep learning curve and staying on such a curve keeps me interested and motivated.

In the first four years I’ve had a solo exhibition, had work in four public exhibitions, have begun teaching fabric design techniques, have shared art skills in school, created commissioned artworks, designs, infographics, videos, animations and have made products from miniature pot plants to fabric birds.

I don’t know where the work is leading and when I’m in the creative moment I don’t think it really matters where or whether it leads. For me creating and making is calming, rejuvenating and present. It’s my antidote to the harrowing stories that the media try to intrude into my calm.

Here are my favourite pieces from the past four years. I look forward to seeing what will emerge from my work in the future.

I’m not stopping here. I’m busy preparing for my next workshop on Sunday 2nd June at Stitched Up and Fleeced, Sheffield.

I’m working on personal projects and strategic commercial communications. I’ve a plan for a book, watch this space, and have some exciting collaborations ahead.

Here are my favourite posts from the past four years:

Fabric Design Doll

Satin Cheese Plant…

Drawing With Silks – Cute Dog

Animating paper pictures

Here are anniversary stories from the years you may have missed. I’ve always worked on the proviso that my work will improve, although I’ve a good way to go to be at the level I aspire to, when I reflect I can see the progression. Practice makes better…

First Birthday and Art Exhibition

3 Years and Beyond

Sew, design, stitch

Fabric Design Workshop Sunday 2 June 10 – 4 pm

This one day workshop gives the opportunity to bring stitch into the fabric design process. Stitching before and/or after transferring designs onto the fabric gives some beautiful effects and is fun to explore.

You can bring your own sewing machine or use one of the studio’s machines.

Book this lovely workshop @stitchedupandfleeced

#sewstitchdesign #fabricdesign #textiles #sheffield

This fabric design was created from a wax relief print of free machine embroidery, I then stitched into the printed fabric.

The above fabric became the body of this doll. She combines fabric design dye techniques, stitch and my favourite things including tulips and butterflies.

After hand painting and printing this design I placed a fleecy layer behind it and a titched details

Stitching fabric waves onto this fabric print to add texture and depth to the sea.

This small fabric bird was printed using plant sample from in and around our garden. Then stitched to create the pretty bird.

Come along and try these techniques and enjoy creating something truly unique.

Book at http://www.stitchedupandfleeced.com/workshops

Related posts:

Fabric Design Steps

Fabric Design Workshop, 2nd June, Sheffield

Workshop – Testimonials

Products from Colourcraft

Fabric Design Steps

This image shows the three key stages of fabric design that I’ll be demonstrating and sharing at my workshop on Sunday 2nd June in Sheffield.

Step One is a design worked out on paper.

Step Two is to create the design in heat sensitive dyes on paper.

You can apply the dyes to paper using paint brushes, or you can collage painted papers or you can stamp the dyes onto paper. No drawing skills are required but some thoughts on composition are worthwhile.

The colours in this stage of the process are very different from the final outcome, as demonstrated in this short colour sample video.

 

Like any art work you can spend as much or as little time on your design as you wish. You can print your design and then move the design and over print if you like.

You can print a number of times from the dyes, although each later print will be slightly unique from the previous one, but we experiment with time and colour during the workshop.

Step Three is to press the paper with the heat sensitive dyes together with your desired fabric at high heat for a few seconds. This will activate the dyes and make them turn into gas, to wrap around the fabrics fibres and thus transferring them.

In seconds you’ve got your designed fabric and it can become whatever your imagination will allow.

If you’d rather watch than read – See this process in less than 40 seconds in this video. https://youtu.be/xnt9NKFmhKo

A second example

As a recap on the process here’s an alternative design, a small coastal landscape design made by collaging torn papers which had been painted with transfers dyes.

Step One: I had a seaside composition in mind to fit into a greeting card window.

Step Two: I collaged torn paper to compose the picture. Note I have not drawn anything in this piece. For many people drawing skills, of their perception of their skills can be a barrier to them enjoying art. That’s a shame as there are many other ways to make marks and create. This is just one suggestion.

Step Three – I heat pressed the design onto one, then another piece of fabric.

I’ll be sewing into the design next before mounting it in into the greeting card for a unique, handmade, frameable gift.

If you’d like to try these techniques for yourself you can book at the Stitched Up and Fleeced website. Stitched Up and Fleeced is a lovely studio with great facilities which are ideal for our workshop.

The workshop will be from 10am to 4pm giving chance to learn techniques and enjoy exploring them and developing your ideas using these new possibilities.

Whether your a textile artist, crafter, designer, or just fancy trying something new you’ll be creating in no time and will have a number of fabric designs by the end of the day. Your fabric designs could be framed, appliqued, made into accessories such as zip bags, glasses cases, cushions, home decor, gifts and so on.

You can see more details of the workshop day at this post. When you’re ready to book you can do that here.

See more fabric design ideas to spark ideas of what you might like to create:

Fabric Design Highlights

Heat Press Inspiration

Don’t just take my word for it, want to hear how other people found my live workshop:

Workshop – Testimonials

And something cute to complete this post:

Fabric Design Doll

Hope to see you on 2nd June.

Bye for now x

#fabricdesign #sheffieldartist #surfacepatterndesign #textileart

Fabric Design Doll

With an idea to create doll I drew sketches then began assembling pieces of fabric that I had created through exploration with free machine embroidery techniques and heat sensitive fabric paints.

I’ll be demonstrating how to design and colour fabric in this way at a workshop on Sunday 2nd June. More details here and to follow.

I arranged the fabric pieces I’d created and stitched them together on my beloved Bernina before free motion embroidering further details of my favourite things, swimming fish, tulips, spiral shapes, hearts and flowers.

Fish and clams inspired by exploring the coral reefs of Egypt

Once I had the assembled and embroidered a length of fabric I drew pattern shapes and then cut them from the fabric thinking carefully about the placement of the different designs, details and colours, so as to create a striking bright design and balance where the colours popped against each other.

I stitched the legs and arms front to backs and she started to take shape.

My optician had asked me to capture my colourful Johann Von Goisern frames with my artwork so this seemed a good opportunity for a shot for this. The optician called it ‘frames and threads’ and shared it on their social media.

As the doll has two facial expressions one eyes open and one in calm restful bliss I needed only a little hair. I had a small piece of the bias binding leftover that I had pressed with magenta coloured heat sensitive paints, and wax relief of Passion flower tendrils, for the draught excluder project.

Turns out she’s a sun lover, I spotted her relaxing in the sunshine as I rethreaded my needle.

This work gave rise to the idea of placing supportive words and phrases on a doll to reassure and inspire the owner when life feels its most challenging, I’m going to develop that idea further.

Try it yourself:

All of these pieces of fabric were plain white when I began this project. Using heat sensitive paints I added colour and design to the fabrics to create something unique and original.

You can learn and explore these wonderful dye and stitch techniques, creating with colours and designs that you love to make something beyoutiful and uniquely you.

Join me on Sunday 2nd June at Stitched Up and Fleeced in Sheffield. 10 – 4 pm, £60. A wonderful day, no experience necessary.

You can book now by messaging your interest at this link.

Thanks for reading and I hope you’ve enjoyed this work.

I’m off to draw the doll now in different poses and develop a story around her.

If you’ve enjoyed this post these are other projects that you may enjoy seeing…

Bird and Flowers Cushion Design

Fabric Design Workshop – 2nd June, Sheffield

Fabric Design Project – Window Box Tulips

The Inspire Bear

Heat Press Inspiration

Fabric Design Workshop, 2nd June, Sheffield

I’m delighted to announce my next workshop date will be Sunday 2nd June in Sheffield, UK.

Fabric Design and Print Workshop 10 – 4pm Sunday 2nd June 2019 at Stitched Up and Fleeced textile studio. £60.

You’ll create unique designs and print them on fabric, for use in craft, textile and fashion projects.

This an opportunity to breathe new life into fabrics, such as pillow cases, clothing; any light coloured fabrics can be repurposed in this process.

Designs are created in heat sensitive dyes, placed in a heat press machine, which using heat and pressure, transfers the design onto fabric.

Places are limited so please sign up now.

 

What you will learn:

• Techniques for creating unique, bespoke fabric.

• How to transfer designs onto fabric.

• The products you need to create your own hand painted or hand-printed fabric. Inspiration of what your designs could become.

• This workshop will inspire you and boost your creativity. No drawing skills or previous experience required.

What to bring

Pictures, on paper, that inspire you, these might be photographs, drawings, stencils, colour samples. Light coloured fabric that you wish to repurpose.

If you prefer to wear protective gloves, please bring them.

It is advisable to wear old clothes, and/or an apron.

The process requires ventilation so please bring a jumper.

Sewing machine – a machine can be borrowed or you bring your own machine along.

Book at Stitched Up and Fleeced website using the Contact Form.

If you’ve any questions please email me inspirebykim@outlook.com

See more testimonials here.

See fabric design inspiration here.

Related posts:

Fabric Printing Workshop

Heat Press Inspiration

Fabric Design Project – Window Box Tulips

Fabric Design Doll

Fabric Printing Workshop

On Saturday I ran a workshop at Stitched Up and Fleeced Workshop textile studio in Sheffield. The feedback from the workshop attendees was:

A great start to exploring the technique of using transfer paints and the heat press.

I really enjoyed the workshop, it’s amazing what can be achieved in a short time. There’s a lot of opportunity for experimentation as the process is very quick.

I would definitely recommend this workshop as an introduction to using a heat press. Kim was a generous and helpful tutor.

Really enjoyed today. Would like to do another full day course.

it was great to be able to share the techniques and see people’s faces light up at seeing what they had created so quickly transferred onto fabric.

Thank you to host Sue at Stitched Up And Fleeced textile studio and Colourcraft for product support.

If you’d like to register your interest in a future workshop then ping me an email inspirebykim@outlook.com

Bye for now.

Kim x

Related posts:

Fabric Design Workshop

Bird and Flower Design

Sublimation Samples

 

Heat Press Inspiration

With just a week until my fabric design workshop here’s some inspiration of the lovely things that I’ve created using the techniques I’ll be sharing on Saturday 9th March.

Oo and I have a new recipe (description ) for what I do:

Main ingredient of sunshine, dose of nature’s wonder, spoonful of heartwarming colour, a delight of details and sprinkle of nostalgia – art to uplift.

☺️

The sublimation printing techniques for transferring colour into fabrics have been used in the following projects, you can click on them to learn about them…

Miniature Cheese Plant Made of Satin

Cute Designer Dog Coat

Bespoke Bird and Flower Cushion

Passionflower in Textiles

For even more inspiration take a look at

Sublimation Samples

For all the details of the workshop click here.

To read testimonials from my workshop ‘trial run’ click here.

To book visit the Stitched Up and Fleeced textile studio venue website.

This art workshop is supported by the wonderful, colourful, Sheffield company Colourcraft Ltd.

Have a wonderful week. I’m so looking forward to the workshop, to sharing the lovely techniques and seeing the magic appear on the fabric, and the joy that brings.

Happy Days

Kim

Workshop – Testimonials

I’m delighted to have received these testimonials after a run through of my upcoming workshop, which will take place at Stitched Up And Fleeced in Sheffield on 9th March from 10-12:30.

“The workshop had a relaxed environment in which I felt comfortable asking for help or any questions about the work. The organisation of the workshop meant it was enjoyable and the time given meant I wasn’t rushed into completing my design. I am very happy with what I produced and the skills and knowledge about heat press and the dyes I developed during the process.” AGR, Sheffield.

“I thoroughly enjoyed trying a totally new skill. Instructions were very clear and the group dynamic made the whole experience much fun. It was great to see the vibrant finished result emerge from my own design. It was rewarding to complete the task from beginning to end in just a few hours.” JPS Chesterfield.

“Amazing evening experiencing the ‘Magical’ creation, made possible by the unique experience of Kim and her Heat Press techniques.” MK, Manchester.

The workshop provides the opportunity to create a design and transfer it onto fabric for use in a fashion, sewing or craft project.

Priced at just £30 it’s a lovely, great value experience for some quality ‘you time’ or a lovely early Mother’s Day gift.

Book now at

http://www.stitchedupandfleeced.com/workshops

Here are some of the lovely work made at the workshop trial run….

Here are samples I created to demonstrate a selection of design methods to use in the Heat Press.

For more information click here.

Book at http://www.stitchedupandfleeced.com/workshops

This website is supported by Colourcraft Ltd.

Sublimation Samples – Workshop Soon

With just a month to my lovely Heat Press workshop (10-12:30 9th March Sheffield) here are some examples and samples of what you could choose to make.

Of course there really aren’t any limits, the possibilities are infinite.

Whether you want to paint, print, cut paper pieces, make patterns or pictures – it’s your workshop and time to indulge in play with colour and fabrics.

Click here when you’re ready to book

 

Here are the workshop details…

 

Book your place now at http://www.stitchedupandfleeced.com/workshop

So excited to show and share these techniques and see what everyone makes.

Sublime Sublimation Stories

Miniature Cheese Plant

Bird and Flower Cushion

Designing a Dog Coat

Textile Passion Flowers

Hope you can join us for a fun workshop.

All the fine detail is at this link…

Heat Press Workshop – All you need to know.

To book click here😊🌠🎉

Kim x