Texture Magic

Bronwyn Fleming -  texture magic sample 

 Texture Magic was a big hit at the Lincoln Embroider's Guild event . The ability to create instant texture was too tempting to pass up. We sold out on the day but have more in stock. Selling at 20% off for UK and European customers. Follow the links to find out more. Texture Magic can be used on the frame or sitting down at the sewing machine. Any stitching looks great! Playing around with Texture Magic will bring our the Textile Artist in you.

Bronwyn Fleming organza Texture Magic sample

By clicking the 'Buy Now' button below, you can purchase a pack of Texture Magic. The normal retail price is £9.99, but those buying from the blog will only pay £7.99! 

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Texture Magic - Limited 20% Discount! £7.99 + P&P

Organza

Here's another of Bronwyn's practice pieces. In this experiment she's used 3 layers of organza on top and one on the back with the Texture Magic sandwiched in the middle. She's stitched a variety of coin sized circular shapes. The layers on top create a depth of color. You'll see this more clearly if you click on the image for a close up view. I'm going to experiment with this technique for Valentime's Day and do hearts.

Things about Texture Magic I've learned from this project:

1.) Layers work!

2.) The larger the negative space is the more pronounced the texture. Another way of saying this is that it's the unquilted or unstitched spaces that stand out. This is such a tactile piece - everyone who's seen it just has to touch it.

3.) Funky fabrics are fun! On my own, I never would have considered organza!

Textile Artist

Look what happens when you turn a textile artist loose with a packet of Texture Magic. Last week I gave my friend a packet of Texture Magic so she could have a play with it. Bronwyn is a fashion designer turned textile teacher. She spent a couple of happy hours on Sunday afternoon and here is one of the pieces she came up with.

Click on the image to get a good close up look. You'll see that Bronwyn used a variety of fabrics; hand dyed cottons and netting, silk, organza and velvet. She wanted to find out how the various fabrics would respond to the shrinking process. Bronwyn also wanted to see how different stitching played out in various patterns and sizes. Note that the fabrics weren't even pieced just laid on top and next to each other. The result is stunning! And this is just the first piece. We'll look at some of the others in the next post.

Directionally Challenged

Well, I am. I think that perhaps its some sort of spatial dyslexia. I've always struggled with left and right. Something only made worse by spending the last 22 years in a country where they do most things the other way round. I also struggle with following written directions. I'm much better if I can actually see someone do it. Tutorials with photos on the web are fantastic for me. Anyway, because I struggle with directions I've gotten into the habit of learning by trial and error. I'm beginning with this disclaimer because I'm going to share the process of turning my pumpkin patch Texture Magic experiment into a trick or treat bag. And I wanted you to know that I'm just figuring it out as I go along.

I've begun with 2 fat quarters of orange batik backed with Texture Magic and free-motion machine quilted with a free flowing loops and pumpkin design. It looks really cool. But I want to turn it into something useful. So I've put them right sides together and sewed around 3 of the sides. Then I've done that trick in the bottom corners where you line up the seams to make a triangle and stitch a line across. Like this:

Then I did the same thing to the lining fabric, making it just a little bit smaller. I've added a strip of yellow fabric at the top to make an edging.














And here's how it turned out. Click on this final image for a great view of the bag. I had to wait til morning so the natural-light photo could bring out the color and the texture.

Texture Magic Pumpkin Patch

This Pumpkin Patch design is made with Texture Magic on a table top frame. I wanted to see how a loose and flowing free-motion design would work. So I attached the Texture Magic as if it were the backing fabric and then added the orange batik fabric as the top. I've skipped the wadding for this project as the texture will come by 'magic'.

Here it is all loaded on the frame. I'm using Nile Delta from the King Tut range of Superior Threads. I love how it looks against the batik.

Here's a close up of the stitching. This is such fun to do! Just lots of loops and pumpkins in all shapes and sizes.

Then whip it off the frame and steam it. I begin with the Texture Magic side up. Then flip it over and steam it more with the fabric side up. I'm less worried about it catching the iron this way and so bits I've missed the first time continue to shrink. I've found that steaming works better if I've laid it on a towel or fleece.

Texture Magic creates quite an audience in our family with everyone gathering round to watch the 'magic'. This pumpkin patch free motion design turned out great! Click on the image for a better close-up view. We'll make it into a trick or treat bag in the next day or so.