A side "project" has been an exchange of mail art with students in the Sewn class. 

I love receiving mail art - it is sew much fun!

Pattern Book

Here is a slide show of my pattern book ... it is unfinished but I wanted to show the progress I've made with it.

Sewn projects

Here's the pinwheel from my painted papers. I'm in love with the colors (which unfortunately don't show as well on the computer.)

It's not very sunny so it doesn't show well in the photo.

And here is a patchwork piece. I wanted to see the colors mixed with black/white zen doodles. I'm pleased with the way it turned out except for the very bright patch that doesn't go with the softer colors. Alas ... it's all in fun and all a learning process.

I found this piece of fabric strips that I'd sewn together ... 

and added a backing for it with some zigzag stitching. This may become a book cover or a page in a future fabric journal.

 

 

These are postcards that are either in the mail or on the way to the mailbox.

In my next post, I'll show pictures of the pattern book.

Creating pattern "fabric"

Strip A
plus

Strip B
equals

Paper fabric
Not sure what I'll do with it yet ... 

Pattern Book

A project for the Sewn class is to create a pattern book. Papers for the cover are mostly scrapbook papers with some of the pattern paper I've been painting.

The inside of the cover is my painted paper. I used mostly 140lb watercolor paper as we will be painting in the book. A couple folios are different weight papers.

I added two photos. The back cover photo is my mom who taught me how to sew - using patterns. She also was big on using pattern fabrics for her clothing. I love this photo of her because it shows how much she loved to play - and that is what this class is all about. The photo on the inside cover is from a gazillion years ago when my kids were young (and so was I!) Pattern is evident in the clothes we wear - I made my pants and my daughter's outfit.

I stopped sewing clothing shortly after this photo ... a long story ... However I started sewing paper several years ago when I took a class with Traci Bautista and absolutely love it. My sewing machine is like a paint brush - a fun way to add line and texture.

Having fun with this class!

Painting Patterns

Painting patterns on paper for Mary Ann Moss' Sewn class. Very meditative. I'm thoroughly enjoying my color palette! Fun summer project.
 

 

 

 

 

Pattern

Seeking pattern ... for a new class offered by Mary Ann Moss called Sewn.

 

 

Sounds like it will be a lot of fun! Paint and paper and a sewing machine ... what more can one want to play with in summer!