Friday 16 November 2012

A Fabric Tag. . . . . . .

The challenge at Artful Times is to make a fabric tag - how could I resist or not find time for this one?! I decided to make something appropriate to nature because I've been playing around with fabric leaves and wire again.

I used TAP again but in a slightly different way. Instead of stamping on it, I coloured it with distress inks using a Tim technique. When dry, I transferred the coloured piece onto plain white cotton and some calico. The colours remained vibrant and true although they were a little lighter on the calico which was quite heavy weight.

My tag is cut from two layers of calico and one layer of very lightweight padding just to give it a little extra body. Here's what I made:
 The sentiment was stamped onto inked card with some jute attached at either end. The cotton lace is a double layer, which were both inked then stitched into position. Read on for further details of how I made each element of the tag - or found them in a box, cupboard etc. (even in the garden!).
Sketchy leaves were stamped onto the calico using Stazon. Gold shimmer spray was then applied over the tag but you can't see it here as the light was so flat. The tag pieces were layered together, stitched down the sides with a scallop stitch and trimmed. Distress ink was applied to background for an aged effect.
A tag topper was cut from grunge board covered with some book text. This was then die cut twice: once to fit the tag top shape and a second time using a Tim die to add pattern to the edge. The edges were inked.
The leaves were die cut with a Tim die. The edges were inked then stitching applied. Thin wire was woven through some stitches on the back to allow the leaves to be shaped. The thin twigs are real (as are the tendrils) but the berries are faux. The leaves, berries and twigs were wired together with a rusty old piece of paper covered  florist wire which I kept because I thought it might be useful!
Detail to show the rusty wire, stamped / inked background and the scalloped edges.
Detail to show the tendrils (love them but they snap if you look at them!) and the leaves.

I have made another project using the last of the leaves and I was even able to use the waste TAP backing layer which is normally put in the recycled bin!

Hope you like the tag. The leaves were rather fiddly but it was a very satisifying make - especially when I realised I'd finished sewing back all the machine ends!

30 comments:

  1. Ooooh fantastic Julia, this is great, love the leaves

    Sam xxx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Absolutely glorious, Julia! I'm completely in love with this tag - from the head to the foot, a wonder! And that fabulous spray of twigs and foliage in the middle is perfection. I meant to pack my berries when I came away, and am kicking myself... mind you, every idea I have at the moment seems to involve die-cutting, and I have no BigShot with me either - so I'm feeling a bit glum! And to answer your question, no, I don't seem to sleep very much at the moment...
    Alison xx

    ReplyDelete
  3. Super Autumn tag, love how you use fabric and stitching in your creations. I see your blog background has changed too. BJ

    ReplyDelete
  4. Simply gorgeous - love the textures, the stitching and all the details including the berries. Elizabeth xx

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love the Autumn colours, the fabric leaves are fantastic a wonderful tag.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow Julia! This is absolutely stunning. The stamped fabric looks beautiful with the stitched edges and the leaves and tendrils look fabulous. Glad to hear you used up all the bits too, that's what I love to do.
    Have a lovely weekend.
    Hugs, Fliss xx

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is breath taking Julia.
    Absolutely gorgeous.
    Great autumn colors , fabric and stitching.
    Love it.
    Greetings Janny

    ReplyDelete
  8. Simply stunning Julia, I love every little bit and technique sweetie, fab job.
    Huge hugs x x x x

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oooo Julia you have excelled yourself!!! stunning work. lainey x

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh wow!! This is absolutely gorgeous Julia. The colours and all the elements are just glorious! How I wished I lived nearer and could have a lesson with you and this TAP??! I always love the way calico takes the inks, but it is your stitching and the natural elements which really make this tag stunning.
    Have a lovely weekend x

    ReplyDelete
  11. GORGEOUS Tag Julia... My word the attention to detail is wonderful those leaves are AMAZING.. the stitching, the colours... your background is Beautiful... Hugs May x x x

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow Gorgeous Tag, the stamping on the fabric is beautiful and the leaves are amazing ! Awesome work. Have a great weekend, Shirleyx

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is wonderful, adore all the details,the autumnal coloursvare so yummy and the stitchingis gorgeous...the overall autumnal feel is beautiful...just makes me wish I could sew!!!! Another beautiful make Julia! Trace x

    ReplyDelete
  14. A really wonderful tag and the stamping on the calico is amazing.Wonderful stitching on the leaves as well.

    Love Chrissie xx

    ReplyDelete
  15. Julia, your tag is stunning. The wired leaves, the tag topper (who'd pay £££ for the Wendy Vecchi one!), the twigs from your garden...I love it.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh Julia...I get so excited when you have your fabric ou!!!! This is so so amazing! xxx

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Julia, thought I had come to the wrong place, you have changed and it is very nice. Buttons gave me advice on how to do mine..... maybe one day. Love, love, love your absolutely gorgeous tag, the leaves are so beautiful and I love all your stitching - you are so neat! Love it all. Crafty hugs, Anne x

    ReplyDelete
  18. Love this totally...so inspiring! Laura x

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh Julia you have created such a wonderful tag full of texture and dimention fab use of twiggs and the leave look like they have just fallen from the tree:)
    Thank you for sharing with us at Artful Times
    Von ♥

    ReplyDelete
  20. I totally missed this lovely tag Julia...what a great look with the fabric!
    The colours are stunning...I guess you had some days off to create marvelous things :-)

    Hugs, Alie :-)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Looking great! It is almost a little quilt with the 3 layers. Love the leaves (sizzix?)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Another fabulous piece of art, a fantastic tag.

    ReplyDelete
  23. This SO deserved close-ups Julia. You seem completely at home using fabric and stitching on your projects (no surprise there!) and you take them to a professional level every time. This is no exception - so much texture with those stunning leaves and the natural additions. Oh, and berries are my favourite things on this type of natural bouquet too! Hugs, Buttons x

    ReplyDelete
  24. Oh, I keep going back to look at all of the little details on this! This is an absolutely gorgeous piece and I love the mixture of natural and man-made materials!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Another stunning tag. Love the combination of stitching and stamping, just beautiful.
    Avril xx

    ReplyDelete
  26. The leaves look so real, it looks like you just picked them up off the ground. Love all the natural embellies, too. Another beauty, Julia!

    ReplyDelete
  27. What an absolutely super tag you have given us this challenge Julia. Love everything about it. The leaves are lovely (do like the wire idea), love the stamping on the fabric and the top edging is just perfect for it. The word, the lace - everything!
    Thanks for joining us at Artful Times with this challenge. Hugs, Neet x

    ReplyDelete
  28. A gorgeous tag, Julia. Love all of it, and it's beautifully made in every detail.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Pinning again! How did I miss all these...not getting your feed...ugh! Amazing work!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Julia, I love the stitching on your leaves, they are wonderful. You've done some really amazing projects since my last visit. I'm going to have a good old look about. Michelle xx

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. Juliax