I am really trying to make something of the fabric I create. Just like the journal covers I posted about on Saturday, it’s hard for me to cut into my fabric, but I’m pushing through that. Here is my finished mounted on canvas gelatin plate piece made in this gelatin printing post.
When I was visiting my artist friend Kathy Sands recently, she showed me some of her work that was for sale in her studio. I loved how she had mounted her prints on canvas.
In the past I’ve wrapped the fabric around the canvas and attaching the fabric with a staple gun. I’ve also added felt to the back of the piece and then glued it on to canvas. But I love how she did this, so I decided to try it on one of my recently completed pieces.
Here are the steps. First take your piece and paint over it with a mixture of 1/2 water and 1/2 liquid matte medium. (I was so scared to do this!)
Let this dry overnight. The next day it will be stiff and really easier to work with. If you wanted to you could do some hand stitching. I decided against that since I was eager to see how it will look “as is” on the canvas.
Then cut the fabric piece to cover the canvas.
You can cut it larger and just wrap the edges but I wanted it to just cover the front.
Then paint the canvas with the thicker gel medium. I used Golden Regular Gel Gloss because that is all I had, but you could use semi gloss or matte.
Place the fabric piece over the wet canvas. I started in the top left hand corner and lined it up. Since the canvas is still wet, you have time to move it around if you aren’t happy with your placement.
Once you are happy with the placement, make sure it is smooth and then paint over it with the heavy gel medium.
After it was completely covered with the gel medium, I went back over it with a small brush on top and around the edges. I wanted to make sure it was covered completely.
And again the finished piece.
I love how it looks like the piece was painted on the canvas. This would work with all kinds of fabric pieces. Sure wish I would have known about this technique before the last exhibit. Thanks Kathy for the tips. I will be mounting more of my fabric pieces this way.
If you have a favorite way to mount your fabric pieces, I’d love to hear from you.
I love this, Lynda! Will have to give it a try…
Judy, As I said, I sure wish I would have known about this for the last exhibit. Love the look.
As I read this I was chuckling to myself because I tried those methods in the past too. But this looks so nice! Professional, and most of all *dustable*! This is now my favorite method. Thanks Lynda (and Kathy).
Also, I appreciate you sharing your fear. Why is that?
(Oh, another past method of mine was using a shadow box)
Darlene, Yes! It is dustable and I absolutely love how it “melts” into the canvas! Regarding the fear, it’s all about messing it up and rendering the piece useless after I’ve spent so much time creating it. But I have a lot of fabric sitting in my closet that needs to see the light of day! Shadow box – great idea!
fabulous…I am going to try this…..
Marsha recently posted..Weekly Photo Challenge:”Fray”
Marsha, Great! Can’t wait to see what you do. Thanks for coming by.
I really have to try this. Thank you and your friend Kathy for sharing.
Maxine Oliver recently posted..Fabric Dying
Just gorgeous! This would be a wonderful but easy gift for the holidays! 😉
Lisa Chin recently posted..The Happy Flag Project
Maxine, You are so welcome. It’s real easy and looks great.
Lisa, Great idea! It sure would.
I love both your fabric and your new technique for mounting your pieces. It’s so wonderful to learn from friends, thank you so much for sharing. You are so talented!
Laurie, Thank you! Thank you for dropping by and reading my blog.
Thank you so much for sharing this with us and what a beautiful print, I adore it.
Kathy Gledsdale recently posted..Short and sweet, OK short and wonky!
Kathy, You are so welcome. Thank you for your kind words!
I can use this idea. Thanks.
Eileen, Great!! Thanks for dropping by.
Very nice Lynda. I love how you try all kinds of ideas!
Dolly recently posted..Some fun cards at Scattered Paper, inside Potpourri of Shops
Dolly, Thanks!
I love this! As one who loves the fabric itself as art, I must try this.
Hi Angie, You will love it!!
It’s a beautiful piece! Thank you for posting your experience.
VickiMarie, Thank you and thanks for dropping by and commenting.
Please test first! I did this once with maybe just ..modge podge??? and it turned out fine, 2nd time I used a Artist touch Matt gel medium and I completely ruined it. This piece, unlike the first, had a lot of black in it, and those areas became grayish and streaky… awful. Sure wish I knew what I used on the first one!
Susan, Sorry you had trouble. I definitely would not use modge podge as it tends to not dry. Yes, it’s so important to test first. Thanks for dropping by.
Have been trying for ages how to stick fabric to canvas successfully. Now I know! Would hate to exhibit work and find it came apart. Many thanks
Hi Heather, I’m so glad you found my tutorial on mounting the fabric. I sure hope it works out for you. Thanks for dropping by.