Dryer Sheets

Over the weekend, I picked up the Summer 2006 issue of "Cloth, Paper, Scissors" magazine. Published by the same company as "Quilting Arts" magazine, this one appeals to the mixed media artist more than the art quilter but on occasion I buy a copy for inspiration. After all, Crazy Quilting is simply a form of collage art.

Well, there's an article in this issue by Denise Warner called, Fibertastic Adventure and what caught my eye was her suggestion for using dryer sheets in fiber art or paper collage.

Now, I don't use dryer sheets, I use liquid fabric softener so I mooched a few dryer sheets from my mom (actually a whole box) because I just had to try this!



This set was done by actually running the sheets through my washing machine and then my dryer with a load of clothes. Then using a big fat stencil brush, I worked Jacquard Lumiere Paints (available at Michael's) into the dryer sheets.



This set was done by soaking the dryer sheets in my kitchen sink until the fabric softener was out of them and then I put them in the dryer with a couple of towels. Once dry, I stretched them out a bit and then painted them. As you can see, they're a little more sheer than the first set I did.

To see larger photos, click on the pictures.

I have another set drying on my countertop in the kitchen at the moment. And yet another set in my dryer. Will share those tomorrow.

The scanner really doesn't do these justice. They're sheer and natural looking and can be torn or cut for a ton of different uses. I'll share some of my ideas when I post the next couple of batches. For now, I have to get some x stitch design work done.