Project Ottoman

Here is a project that I have had in my head for a very long time and have actually finally made it a reality! I've wanted to learn how to screen print my own fabric patterns for some time but haven't had the resources .... until earlier this month when I was able to participate at Martha Street Studio once again.

This is my original hand drawn jelly design painted on velum paper with india ink. I used this to create my screen stencil and then printed it randomly on some great smokey gray fabric I found at the thrift store. I didn't want to experiment with expensive new bolts of fabric for my first go, so this was perfect. 

I tried following a guide for creating a grid on the fabric that would give a consistent repeat pattern but I realized after attempting to print that it wasn't going to work out .... I ended up cutting my huge piece of fabric in half and printing randomly which turned out way better.

Then I took apart the $2 ottoman I found at the thrift store some time ago, studied it's anatomy, traced it onto my new jelly fabric and winged it! It worked!

 There are a few things I will do differently next time but for a first go I am very proud of the results.

I am also proud of the huge oak desk I found at the thrift store ( my second home, can you tell?) for only $29! Thank you to Mike for getting it into the van for me and helping me put it into the living room/my studio. It has only been a couple days but already my work flow makes so much more sense and I haven't cracked my knee on the drawers once.

Even freshly organized, my work area quickly becomes a place of creation and chaos!

 I've got a lot of work to do this week in preparation for the Crafty Minions show on March 3rd and a few other submissions for exhibitions but I wanted to show you what I have been up to!

-k