It's time for another Silhouette Challenges design team project. This time around we are cutting fabric with our Silhouette digital cutters.
I must admit it took me a while to come up with something to do for this. I used to sew, A LOT! But some time ago gave that up for other interests and haven't sewn for a very long time. So, obviously I didn't want to sew something.
I didn't want to do the standard pillow cover or fabric flower either although I've seem some beautiful creations in both. Then I came upon a tutorial by Chasing Cottons Quilt Designs Once I saw it I knew I wanted to make something like it. She used a vinyl wall art graphic for the branch but because this is a fabric cutting project I wanted to use fabric and besides I didn't want to spend money on a vinyl graphic and wait for it to come in the mail.
I bought a framed canvas 15 x 30. Then I went to the Silhouette and started looking for a branch I could use. Once I had chosen the branch I opened it up and began to resize it. This image is called Tree Border by Rivka Williams item 3708. This was the fun part, well maybe the more difficult part of the project. Because I was resizing larger than my 12" cutting margins I had to cut the project into pieces. To do this I used the knife tool to separate the sections.
These are the sections I ended up with.
I used two 12 x 12 sections and one 6 x 12 section of fabric to make the branch. How I did this is quite lengthy so I won't get into it here. I am going to try and make a tutorial on how I accomplished it and if you would like one leave me a comment and I will send it to you when it's finished.
I lucked out and Joann Fabrics was having a great sale on cotton fabrics and fat quarters so I was able to get everything I needed, including the frame for less than $20.00 and I have enough fabric to make another if I want to.
I cut the black fabric into 12 x 12 and 6 x 12 and the pieces for the birds 5 x5 and backed them all with double backed fusible interfacing. I pressed it onto the back of the fabric and then cut the designs out on the Silhouette using the fabric blade and fabric settings. They cut out beautifully. I had to do a little weeding on the smaller parts of the leaves but it wasn't bad.
Once I had all the pieces cut I began by laying out the branch pieces first. Once I had the layout where I wanted it I used my iron to attach the pieces to the canvas. Then I laid out the birds where I wanted them and ironed them on.
Lastly, I decided I wanted some words in the open space. I didn't want to cut them from fabric so I used the printable cotton canvas from Silhouette and designed and printed them onto that, framed them and cut out the frame. I inked the edges of the canvas frame with a sponge dauber, attached it because it's sticky backed and added one more bird.
It turned out quite lovely and it looks really nice on my wall. I hope you enjoy it too! Remember, leave me a comment.
