How to Make Fabric Paper

You are special!--That's the message of this stenciled fabric paper gift bag. You can find the instructions to create this bag in the current issue of Fibre & Stitch, Issue 7, an online e-zine published by Sue Bleiweiss.

Fibre & Stitch: http://www.fibreandstitch.com/

Purse, (8.5" x 7" x 2")

Plastic trash bag

Jar for glue mixture

1.5" chip board brush

White tissue paper

Dried flower petals

White glue: A 4 oz. bottle of white glue makes approximately 1.25 yards of fabric paper

Muslin: bleached or unbleached. I use unbleached, least expensive.

Paints: I prefer acrylics, watercolors, or Neocolor II watersoluble wax pastels

My glue mixture recipe: One part glue to approximately one-and-one-fourth parts water.

Empty one 4 oz. bottle of white glue mixture into your jar. Leave the bottle of glue upside down in your jar for about five minutes to allow most of the glue to flow into your jar. Fill your empty glue bottle with water, replace its lid, and shake vigorously to loosen the remainder of the glue. Remove lid and pour into your jar. Fill approximately 1/4 of your empty glue bottle with water. Replace lid, shake bottle, and pour into jar. Mix with brush. Your glue mixture is made!

Left over glue mixture can be stored for future use.

STEP 1
PREPARE WORK SURFACE

Place a piece of plastic onto your table or work area to protect its surface. I use a white kitchen trash bag.

STEP 2
APPLY GLUE MIXTURE TO MUSLIN

Place your piece of muslin onto the plastic. Apply a generous layer of glue mixture to the surface of your muslin with your brush.

My piece of muslin measures 12" x 20." There's no specific reason for using this size. It's approximately half the size of my white tissue paper, and it was a convenient size to use for my work area.

STEP 3
ADD DRIED FLOWER PETALS

Randomly sprinkle torn pieces of dried petals over the muslin's surface. I used three dried rose flower petals in this tutorial.

My basic fabric papers have dried flower petals or leaves in it to provide texture and interest. I find that it also creates interesting values when combined with paints.

Tip: At this point, you can add other elements such as cut pieces of threads, paper, angelina fiber, silk fiber, etc. The possibilities are endless.

STEP 4
ADD ONE SHEET OF TISSUE PAPER

Place one sheet of white tissue paper over the surface. Gently tap the tissue paper into place with your fingertips starting from the center moving outwards towards the edges. This helps to reduce the formation of air bubbles.

STEP 5
APPLY GLUE MIXTURE OVER TISSUE PAPER

Gently apply a generous layer of glue mixture over the tissue paper. At this point, the tissue paper is very fragile.

Tip: If you keep your brush moist with the glue mixture, you can avoid tearing the tissue paper. However, if you accidentally tear it, there's no need for concern. Tear a piece of tissue from your stash, place it over the damaged area, and secure it by gently applying a thin layer of glue with your brush.

Hurray! Your fabric paper is done! Congratulations!

1. You can let the fabric paper dry overnight and add color later.

2. You can use a heat gun to dry it.

3. You can immediately add paints, which is what I do.

Acrylic paints, including spray paints, can be added to wet or dry fabric paper.

Color can be applied using various media. Paints are the most common way of adding color to fabric paper. However, crayons, water soluble wax pastels and numerous other media can be used successfully. If applying crayons or wax pastels, fabric paper should be completely dry.

SPRAY PAINTS--My Favorite Method

Although paints can be applied with a brush, my favorite method of applying color to fabric paper is through the use of spray paints.

Many excellent brands of spray paints are available for purchase. However, if you like to play and create unique color mixtures, and maybe even save some pennies, you may want to mix your own spray paints.

You can mix your own paints using your favorite brands and colors and pour it into a spray bottle. Spray bottles can be found in most craft or hobby stores. You could also recycle empty spray bottles from body splashes, etc.

MY SPRAY PAINT RECIPE

My spray paint recipe: one part paint to approximately two to two-and-a-half parts water, depending on the brand of paints you use and your choice of color intensity. You may want to experiment with your paints to find a recipe that suits you.

You've made your fabric paper. Now what?

Create Your Own Fabric Paper Art

For inspiration, I've shared some of my fabric paper projects in this lens and included links to other artists.

MORE IDEAS:

* Recycle old file folders by gluing on a sheet of your homemade fabric paper.
* Recover a composition book and turn it into a journal.
* Use a sheet of paper cut to size as an art journaling surface.
* Make an ATC/ACEO.
* Make a fabric paper postcard.
* Make a gift bag.
* Make a wallet.
* Make a handbag.
* Make a frame.

Fabric paper is a great after school or holiday project. This would also make a great activity for children's birthday parties. They can create their own party hats with matching favor bags.

The possibilities are endless. You are limited only by your imagination. Enjoy creating your fabric paper art! Thanks for visiting.

These tips are a result of your comments. Thank you for sharing! Your comments help make this lens better.

Although fabric paper is sturdy enough to sew through, it has limitations.

* If you unpick your sewing, the holes will remain.
* Fabric paper is great for appliques. I would recommend you use buttonhole stitching, straight stitching or simple stitching around the edges. Too many holes in the fabric paper will weaken its structure.
* To avoid disappointment, be sure to cut your applique pieces from the glued fabric paper and not just the tissue paper. Glued tissue paper by itself (without the fabric) will break when sewed.
* Fabric paper projects should not be laundered. I would not recommend the use of fabric paper for anything that needs laundering.
* Spray a sealant to protect your fabric paper project's surface.

"Pansy," Coaster, 4.25" x 4.25"

"Dancing Pansies," 10" x 18.5"