Textile Project: The "update" post -

Oops - did I say update?  But you see how I 

snuck the word between quotation marks? Ha!

So.

Somewhere between jumping headfirst into the wild world of

milk kefir, water kefir and sourdough starter-making,

and reading up on things like aquaponics (why now???)

and navigating my way through the cardborad cartons 

that DaddyBoy has thoughtfully strewn the apartment with,

I'm working on the project - honest!

Getting the colors together - can you see the yumminess?

See? Progress!!!!

Those four swatches are not fabric, but paper!

Of course, the room I euphemistically, but only in my head,

refer to as my 'studio' is filled with staggering towers

of cardboard cartons, again courtesy the man of the house.

Yes, we're moving.

Yes we need to pack those DVDs we never

watched in the last seven years but desperately need.  

Yes, my sewing machine will survive the intrusion.

White muslin, yellow tissue and cheesecloth.

So, between keeping the apartment spic and span

for showing to prospective new renters

(despite said cardboard carton towers)

who may, and do, drop in at any time,

I've been thinking of HOW I want to approach the fabric.

The paper and cheesecloth will go on top of the muslin.

I had thought all along I'd do what I normally do:

layer lots of fabric and yarn and ribbon 

embellish with embroidery.

and jazz up the whole thing with beads and sequins.

But that's NOT the way I've decided to do this!

I have two words for you - paper cloth!

I think this can be done a few different ways,

but the basic idea is to adhere layers of paper to 

a muslin base, and add texture with stuff like cheesecloth.

You can paint as you go, add ribbon, yarn, foil, whatever.

If you're using glue it will take a while to dry,

but once dry it can be cut and sewn just like fabric,

but a strong, non-fraying type of fabric.

There. That's the technique I'm going with.  I think.

Did I mention I've never done this before?

And that we just began Ramadan?

And that the NanoBot always has her nose in my work,

us being the un-schooly types?

And that we're moving?  Next week?

Now excuse me while I go feed my baby starter.

Sourdough bread, please wait up!