Mud Cloth Art Or Pillow

Materials:

1/4 yard heavy black fabric
1/2 yard duck cloth or similar fabric
1/4 yard mud cloth
contrasting fabric for piping (optional)
cotton piping (optional)
basic pattern for piping pillow w/zipper
tracing zipper
marker
scissors
mercerized thread
poster board, shoebox lid or gift box
cutting knife
black acrylic fabric paint
textile medium
decorative button or earring w/o post
sewing machine
pillow form
sewing pins
blow dryer
masking tape
medium stenciling brush
paper plate or old saucer
core board
craft interfacing

1. Pick out light-colored fabric for background (duck cloth or canvas or similar fabric); for bodice and silhouette use authentic mud cloth or mud cloth print.

2. Iron fusible interfacing to the back of the fabric.

3. Sketch or trace the silhouette (figure A), headband and bodice (figure B). It may take lots of practice to sketch a silhouette; you may want to trace from a magazine. When tracing you may want to measure across with ruler to get correct ear placement of your silhouette. (This is optional.)

4. After tracing, cut silhouette headband and bodice (figure C). Then pin to background fabric. It will take practice to get the placement of the pieces to a position that looks right to your taste. Remember small imperfections make your design unique.

5. To sew down fabric pieces, use a satin stitch or appliqué stitch (figure D). Sew slowly around fabric until you are comfortable; then increase speed with practice

6. Trace desired hair pattern on tracing paper (figure E). Be creative--it does not have to be perfect. Draw the hair freehand style or look at magazines.

7. Tape tracing paper to poster board or box lid and cut out with a craft knife. Use caution.

8. Mix paint (black, tan or brown) and textile medium (optional) according to directions on textile medium. Use a saucer or paper plate for paint.

9. Stencil in hair (figure F). You may want to consult a craft book for stenciling techniques.

10. Blow-dry the painted area holding a hair dryer about 12 inches away from the surface.

11. Position the stencil on the fabric. Use your judgment and place it right on the edge of the silhouette.

12. Sew on decorative jewelry or glue with a good fabric glue (figure G). Sew on buttons as you would a button onto any fabric.

13. To put together a pillow, follow a basic pillow pattern; piping and zipper are optional.

14. Stuff with a pillow form or frame as art.