In The Design Room
The process of starting a Brown Gingham Creation(C) begins with my stacks of vintage textiles. Hankies, tablecloths, dresser scarves, potholders, towels, scraps of fabrics, doilies, all found on antique excursions, at flea markets, or given to me by very generous friends. They are sorted, checked for imperfections, and cleaned. We're talking old pieces of love worn fabric so they're not perfect. Some hankies are threadbare, towels and tablecloths are stained, but all can be saved is my motto! Some are fine others are cut into usable pieces. Using the pattern already on the textile as my inspiration, or sometimes taking plain fabric, new or vintage, I use a vintage transfer from a stash my husband bought me as a surprise in an antique store in Indiana. I begin to embroider. I try to use a variety of stitches to create a little texture. I then decide what
embellishments to add. Vintage pins or antique buttons. Sworovski crystals, studs, beads or flowers, sometimes I just use a little of it all, depending on what the textile will become, a pretty
angel, a whimsical tote or a charming pillow. It sounds odd, but the piece usually tells me what it wants to become, honestly some patterns lend themselves to certain designs.
My hand-painted accents usually begin with a piece of
furniture, an old bottle, an old piece of barn siding, whatever hits my fancy that are again found at flea markets or on antique excursions. They're cleaned and primed for paint. Then comes the fun part. I create my design, transfer it to the piece, and then paint away, usually using acrylics and sometimes just mixing my own colors. They are sealed, but if it is a table I always suggest placing a piece of glass over the top for added protection. Please remember all the items I use are vintage. Imperfections are part of the history of the piece. When viewing the virtual showroom all pieces are
described in painstaking detail.
embellishments to add. Vintage pins or antique buttons. Sworovski crystals, studs, beads or flowers, sometimes I just use a little of it all, depending on what the textile will become, a pretty
angel, a whimsical tote or a charming pillow. It sounds odd, but the piece usually tells me what it wants to become, honestly some patterns lend themselves to certain designs.
My hand-painted accents usually begin with a piece of
furniture, an old bottle, an old piece of barn siding, whatever hits my fancy that are again found at flea markets or on antique excursions. They're cleaned and primed for paint. Then comes the fun part. I create my design, transfer it to the piece, and then paint away, usually using acrylics and sometimes just mixing my own colors. They are sealed, but if it is a table I always suggest placing a piece of glass over the top for added protection. Please remember all the items I use are vintage. Imperfections are part of the history of the piece. When viewing the virtual showroom all pieces are
described in painstaking detail.