This Mother's Day, make a lasting impression on fabric-covered boxes and journals by using bold, geometric patterns.
1. Begin by punching fabric flowers: Lay a piece of fabric in a shallow tray. With a medium paintbrush, apply enough fabric stiffener to saturate, but not soak, the fabric. Let it dry, about 1 hour. Repeat with any remaining fabric.
2. Stiffen fabric and punch out flowers or petals.
3. Lay out your design on the object. For linear patterns, use a grid ruler as a guide to keep them running straight.
4. Apply petals or flowers with a glue stick; make sure to cover the back of each shape completely with adhesive to prevent curling.
Sources
Fabric, assorted Indian cotton, from B&J Fabrics, 212-354-8150
Flower craft punches, by Martha Stewart Crafts
Silk Candle Box, www.silktrading.com
Small mandarin or tangerine notebook, www.katespaperie.com
Small Muji notebook, from Air Market, 212-995-5888
You can also stabilize fabric by ironing freezer paper to your fabric then after punching your design just remove the freezer paper. I have also used fabric and freezer paper in my printer. When ironing the freezer paper to fabric.....make sure the waxed side is ironed to the wrong side of fabric.