Saturday, February 25, 2012

Pompadour Ribbon - Stripe Painting Test

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I'd like to try my hand at getting a striped taffeta ribbon by using fabric paint and masking tape. Well I finally had the chance to try it today, and while it didn't turn out flawless, I'm pretty pleased with the results.

I found some Frog Tape at my local Home Depot, and masked off the first test stripe. I used a swatch of ribbon from a roll of vintage rayon taffeta. Not the color combo I intend for the Pompadour gown, but a good test run for the paint/tape/taffeta combo:



After I put a good coat of paint down, I let it dry. I used the Lumiere fabric paint in 550 True Gold. This stuff dries fast, so I didn't have to wait long:



I did run into one little snag with this; I may have used just a bit too much paint, trying to make sure the edges were well defined. Also as a side note, if you try this, make sure when pulling the tape off, pull flat along the surface. Not up/away and toward you:



There was a definite raised edge of paint, and a few burrs. Nothing horrible really, but I decided to give it another go using a thinner coat of paint:


Round two:

Much better (the wider stripe toward the center of the ribbon). Still a bit of a paint edge, but not as raised as on the first attempt and a much nicer depth of color with only one coat of paint.


So, now imagine this done on a medium pink picot edge taffeta ribbon, with a silvery champagne painted double stripe on each edge.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Thursday, February 16, 2012

#&$@#&%@!!!!!

Oh Look, the perfect fabri-HOLY CRAP THAT COSTS HOW MUCH?!

Ok kiddos, I know that silks aren't (usually) that affordable compared to other options in the historical sewing realm. But $64 per yard for a plain-weave solid taffeta is just well, brutal.

The color, or at least how it shows up on my monitor, is perfect(!) for the green/blue-ish Madame Pompadour gown.



Either I start saving my pennies now and hopefully by next year, I'll have enough to buy at least 10 yards, lol! Or, I loom around my local fabric liquidators until something similar shows up for $15 per yard...which could take about as long.
Or I keep searching.

Anyway, I have a funny feeling I'll be finding this fabric soon for a better price. My sewing spidey sense tells me so, and I've learned to trust it.