We’re here!  Our final project – No. 6 Diamonds.  This is my favorite project of all, probably because I love the diamond shape so much.  These are super fun to make.  Hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

I enjoyed adding some vintage magazine pages to my diamonds.  The b&w in those pages added an interesting visual contrast.

Right after I made these I scotchtaped them to the window, but later I ended up sewing a small length of baker’s twine to the top and taping that to the window with washi tape instead.  Makes it easier to take them down if I need to relocate.

The videos for this week are right HERE.

For Project No. 5 we’re making lanterns!  These are not intended to be used with a light source however, I think they’re pretty just fluttering in the breeze of my studio.  I have lots of “hangy thingies” in here!

For this particular model of lantern you’ll need lots of circles.  LOTS and lots and lots.  Grab your circle punch,

plug yourself into the television, and start punching.  Or recruit housemates to help you cut!

I ended up handcutting many of  my circles, thus the wonky shapes.  No matter!   Use any size of circle punch you want.  I sewed mine onto 4 pieces of heavy vinyl wall paper.  You can use watercolor paper or any paper that is sturdy, but also flexible.

The lantern I demo on video is made by sewing 4 panels together.  Once you get the gist of this method, you’ll see that it can be adapted in a variety of interesting ways.  I’m really looking forward to seeing how yours turn out, so do share!

The videos for this week are right HERE.

This week there are 2 projects for you to sink your teeth into.  There is not a separate post for Project No. 4, but there is a longish video (link below).

For Project No. 3 we’ll be using a combination of thin manufactured paper and some of the hand-painted vellum to create paper hoops – thin translucent papers stretched tight across an embroidery hoop.  If you don’t have any vellum, it’s okay, just use select some of your thinnest painted papers.  You won’t want to use anything that won’t easily bend into the hoop.  When you watch the videos you’ll understand what I mean!

It’s always good to remember that it isn’t necessary to use the exact same supplies as I do.  Use your crafty art brain to improvise with whatever you have on hand.

I think papers you’ve painted with a light hand work best, but do feel free to experiment and try out different things.

The paper “fabric” I use in the embroidery hoop is in what I call a PINWHEEL shape, but as you can see, you can also put any kind of paper “fabric in the hoops.    Just remember, the paper needs to be THIN.

I think the pinwheel shape lends itself well to the round shape of the embroidery hoop, but do experiment to see what you like best.  A variety is always interesting.  Can’t you just imagine a dozen of these in different sizes all hung on a wall or in a window?  Stunning!

By the way, these are super inexpensive (cheap) hoops.  I found 9 assorted sizes on ebay –  $12 or $15 for the whole set.

On the vellum paper above, the orange is ink and the aqua is regular craft paint.  Watercolors look pretty on vellum too.

go HERE to watch the 3 videos for Project No. 3.  Paper Hoop and Project No. 4 Making a Memory Panel

This week for Project No. 2 we’ll be making paper “fabric” from some of the paper you’ve handpainted.   In order to make the “fabric” you’ll start by mixing strips of manufactured paper with your handpainted paper.  I’ll show you how I do this on the videos.

I get quite a few comments/emails from people on a regular basis asking me for secret sources for paper.  I don’t have any.  I dislike shopping and don’t know of a single paper store in LA.  I buy almost exclusively online or on my travels.  Here are some resources I’ve used in the past:   etsy, ebay, online stores like Paper Source, giftwrap, flea markets, etc.,  Nowadays with the internet, good paper is available to everyone who has the resourcefulness to look for it.  Be a good detective, use those search tools like crazy, and most importantly keep your eyes open for unexpected finds.  The really good stuff is rarely going to drop into your lap.  You have to hunt for it.  But isn’t that part of the fun?

There are endless combinations to make from your existing paper stash and your handpainted papers.   Endless!

For our project, you can make your strips as thin or wide as you like.  Play around with different combinations.

In the videos you’ll watch me make a hexagon “flower” using my paper “fabric”,  then later in the week I’ll have a post with another idea.

Some of the “fabric” is so gorgeous you could even sew it onto a dowel and hang it up as a paper curtain or wall panel.

In the photo above, I cut a rectangle diagonally to make 2 right angle triangles, and then used those to trace and cut out  pattern pieces which I resewed into a paper panel.  There are  so many options and possibilities for constructing & reconstructing paper panels. The basic process is simple:  cut strips, sew together, cut again, resew, repeat to form new shapes.  I’m pretty sure the idea factory in your brain is going to be working overtime!

go HERE to watch the next 4 videos on making paper “fabric”!

For this project we are going to make a pattern book and further our study of patterns!  My intention is that we use the book throughout the class to document our pattern journey.  It’s also a good place to try out paper ideas (more about this in the video blog coming up on Friday).   You know how much I love bookmaking, so no class I teach would really be complete without a book project in here somewhere.  Bookmaking is addictive and these easy little booklets can be as shabby or chic as you want.  Naturally, I prefer mine a little on the ramshackle side.

This is 9×12 when opened flat.

Are you drunk on patterns yet?  The more you notice and study, the more you will begin to internalize certain shapes.   Let shapes and objects in your environment influence your pattern aesthetic.

Go HERE and check out Leanne Shapton’s patterns.  Notice what inspired each pattern.  For example this one below was inspired by a gate!

After you’ve had several sessions of pattern-making stop to take stock of what you’ve done.  Notice which are your favorites.  Paint more loose paper with those favorite patterns.  You’ll use them, starting next week, to make paper “fabric”.    Although we are painting patterns in SEWN in order to use some of the resulting paper, I think you will find your pattern book a habit you will want to continue.  As for all of the painted papers you don’t end up using right away, here’s what you can do with them:

• Recycle – you don’t have to save every single thing you do.  It’s perfectly okay to let things go.
• Collage fodder
• Mail art
• Handmade envelopes
• Use as pages in your next pattern book or visual journal
• and of course…SEWN projects!

The joy of creative acts does not have to have a purpose.  Dan Eldon said it best, “The journey is the destination.”

 

Here is a diagram for the 3-hole pamphlet stitch we’ll be using to stitch together our kooky booklets.

My booklet has 7 folios or 14 single-sided pages.  Both the pages and cover base (not the diamonds) I’m using are all scraps from past book binding projects.  They are 140 lb. hot press watercolor paper by Fabriano.  Each page is a slightly different size.  This way I can enjoy seeing the different patterns playing off each other. You can use any paper you please, but make sure the cover is nice and sturdy.  You can also use any pattern you want, but I think the diamond works best for the cover.

go HERE to watch the next 3 videos on making your pattern book!

Hello Pattern Monkeys!

On the first 3 videos you will see me painting lots of patterns, some big & loose, others smaller and slightly more orderly.

I’ve speeded up some parts of the videos so that you clearly see what I’m doing, but aren’t bored to tears.  Mostly, there is no sound in the speeded up sections.  There is nothing wrong with the video or your computer.

I encourage you to get some big scraps of paper and start playing around with pattern making.  Why?  Because it’s fun!  And we’ll be using the paper in later projects.   Painting patterns is soothing and hypnotic.  It is a wonderful way to loosen up, explore, and PLAY.  Use any kind of paper.  Use any kind of paint.  Anything goes.

Here are a few pattern books from my rather small collection.    The Floral Motif book has easy simple florals you can easily draw into your very own allover pattern.  The Japanese book has more complex and lovely allover patterns, while the Scandinavian designs tend to be simpler and linear.  The Collier & Campbell book is for true lovers of chaos.  The patterns are painterly and rich.

Using our patterned paper later is a good excuse to make patterns, but the truth is pattern play is fun & addictive!

Don’t try and make a finished product, the goal is to experience the process and forget about the outcome.  You may wonder what kind of pattern to make.  Start with a simple shape and keep moving your hand and brush.  After warming up you’ll start to get ideas.

Keep adding to it!  By the way that is a pentel color brush pen.  Super fun to draw/paint with!

Continue until you’re happy with your design.

I completed this in photoshop, but you get the idea.

Don’t be afraid to make a lot of ugly patterns.  I strongly believe that through spontaneity your most interesting patterns will emerge on their own.

Some of these patterns are ridiculous!  But who cares?!  It’s through play that something will come to you.

Play play play!!!!

go HERE to watch the first 3 videos!