When Marlene Tried Fabric Design (and Elaine Had a Sneaky Plan!)
Every so often, we like to shake things up at Quirky Quilt Art. This time, Elaine decided I should try fabric design — and she’d be the instructor.
I should’ve known something mischievous was coming 🤪
🎨 Preparing the scene....After much preparation, covering the table with plastic, laying and taping plastic to the floor around the table changing clothes into my paint dungarees and a whole lot of other phaffing around, only then could we start.
🎨 Elaine’s Instructions: She handed me bottles of paint and a canvas.
“It’s easy,” she said with that mischievous smile".
🎨 “Just pour some paint into the plastic cup… then add the next colour.”
🎨 I did as instructed, then poured the paint onto the canvas, tilting it this way and that until it was fully covered.
🎨 I added a few squiggles.
🎨 Finally, Elaine said, “Now leave it to settle and dry.”
........An hour later🤔
Doubts flooded into my head. The paint was settling which meant the colours were changing and the bubble like spots started appearing. Say what???🫨 It's like watching colour and shape shifters in slow motion.
Here are the Before Drying and After Drying Results
Oh My Glory Days.......😱.......What curveball did Elaine throw in???
Unbeknown to me, Elaine had put some magic🪄 ingredient into one or two of the colours. This created cells (bubble type effect), in the paint which I did not like.
Bottom line is... I'll stick to quilting. I like to have control over what my project will look like. At least with quilting, my work stays as I sew it. The colours and shapes don't shift over time.
Great thing with quilting is.... if I don't like it, I can undo it and use those same pieces of fabric for another project.
With painting.... if I don't like it... cover it with more paint and start over. What a waste.
So, my friend, quilting is definitely my thing.
I'll leave the paint and canvas to Elaine.
I have spent years designing quilt blocks and patterns that speak through colour and shape, building a deep understanding of various techniques and textile manipulation. Blending good old fashioned tradition with a modern twist , creating resources that empower quilters to make something lasting, meaningful, that they can say is uniquely their own.
With colour and craft, Elaine & Marlene 💖
Created with ©systeme.io
© 2025 Quirky Quilt Art
© 2020 Systeme.io
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Quirky Quilt Art.