I create fabric embellishments to add color,texture and movement to my abstract art quilts. Some are 3D. Couch(zigzag) leftover yarn or decorative threads to create lines. It is fun to try out new ways of adding textile details to my art. Take a closer look at how fabric embellishments with decorative threads or yarn can add texture and interest to an art quilt.
Finding Materials to Create Fabric Embellishments
Several years ago a fiber friend gifted me a huge container of bits and pieces of a wide range of colors and styles of decorative threads or novelty yarns. She knew that I like to add them to my work. Right, she was.
A cards with several different types of decorative or novelty threads like the one below can be purchased. I bought mine at a huge quilt fair. Of course, find shorter bits of yard at thrift shops and garage sales. Regardless of what the threads are called, the point is to add unusual threads or yarn to your pieces. Use embroidery threads, yarn or thicker threads. Double, triple or quadruple the ply to make the threads thicker.Think outside the box and create a new use yourself.
To Begin
To begin, choose 3-4 colors to work with. Pick out other fabrics in those hues or shades.After that, I randomly place the fabric on the design wall. At this point I haven’t decided if I will use all of the fabrics. Will they all go together and make it into the final piece? Stay tuned.
For instance,the deep purple fabric has a lighter purple decorative thread couched or zig zagged onto the fabric. Ultimately,I prefer a matching thread color while couching so that the sewing threads are not so visible. But that is an artist’s choice. In the photo on the left, view the purple decorative thread before it is sewn on. Also see the pattern created by multiple strips of ribbon and decorative threads. Cheap thrills!
A Strip of Fabric
Primarily, I start with a strip of fabric about 20″-30″ (51cm -77cm) and couch(zigzgag) the ribbons and decorative threads on the strips. Then I cut the strips into random lengths like the pieces you see. I also choose the cut pieces to be of different widths. You may choose differently.
Fiberous Fabrics Create Fabulous Fabric Embellishments
Furthermore,using fiberous fabrics to create textile details adds interest to your art quilts. Check our decorator shops for their discontinued materials. Find unusual fabrics there. Moreover,they will be thrilled that you will take these discontinued materials off their hands.
After I have completed several details with decorative threads, it is time to start placing pieces on the design wall. See photo below.
This is how I placed the textile details after moving them around for balance of color. As a result several of the details did not make it into the final piece. That is all right. I will save them for another time. My main intent in this post is to focus on the creation of details. Yet, here is the finished product, Lavender Caramels.
https://annbmayartquilts.etsy.com/
https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/02/add-decorative-threads-for-texture/
