Yes, you read that correctly, fabric softener sheets that you put in the dryer with your clothes! The last issue of Quilting Arts magazine suggested that painted dryer sheets are wonderful for adding texture to art quilts. Well, that had my name all over it! The only problem I had is that I don't use dryer sheets. I use liquid fabric softener, so I had to mooch some dryer sheets from my mom! Actually, I had to mooch a whole box!
Anyway, they're painted with Lumier Paints by Jacquard. After doing almost a whole box of fabric sheets, I thought to myself, "ok, this was fun but now what do I do with them?" Of course, I knew I had to use them somehow on a crazyquilt but I was in the middle of some projects and didn't have time to sew up new blocks so I decided on a small project. Pansies!
This pattern came from Judith Montano's "Floral Stitches" book. I think it's that book! Anyway, Judith made her pansies from velvet. Using Heat & Bond, I fused the painted dryer sheets to pastel cotton fabric, cut out the pansies and blanket stitched them.
Once they were done, I had to decide on what to do with the pansies. I have one put away for a crazyquilt and with the other three, I made these:
One of my famous "doorknockers".
And two little handbags!
The crocheted lace is vintage. I found it at a flea market last Summer. The doorknocker will be a gift for later this year and I was going to put the little handbags in my shop but I don't think I can part with them. Well, I don't think I can part with the purple one. I have a new dress that it would look great with! The butterfly charms came from WalMart.
So check back in a few weeks for more dryer sheet projects! Have loads of ideas. Wish I had loads of more stitching time!
