by Marie Brezinski
As the holidays approach each year, I contemplate how my botanical art can be used as gifts for my friends. Each year my theme is different. One year I painted on old garden book pages. My friends received lovely hand-painted botanical drawings on vintage pages. Another year, tea towels with wildflower patterns, which were accompanied with bottled olive oil and vinegar pairs. Last year friends and loved ones all got clutches and purses using my textile designs. The fabric, an organic cotton sateen, was sustainably printed by Spoonflower.com. Of course, prints and cards are always a hit. There are so many ways to give your botanical art a second life – after a good clean scan.
Repurposed ART BAGs, Market / Tote Bags, Clutches, Purses
These ART BAG creations were made using older painted tapestries as a fun way to give them a 2nd life. Great for weekend travel.
The original artwork was painted on a variety of textiles using acrylic textile paints, then heat set. Using natural textiles such as cotton, linen, a cotton/linen blend or maybe even a vintage damask, lined with a complimentary pattern, add bling, bric-a-brac or other fun elements, your gift will be unique. I followed YouTube videos which required basic sewing skills to create many bags. Crossbody straps appear to be most popular but there are many options such as zippered, snaps, or center handles.
Larger market tote bags made with my printed patterned designs make nice useful, green gifts. Clutch purses or fold over purses require basic sewing skills yet can make beautiful gifts any time of the year, holidays, weddings, summer evenings and so special with your botanical designs. Purse hardware is not necessary but available from many suppliers such as Etsy, Amazon, fabric stores.
Heat Transfer Images on Handmade Linens, Tees, Sweatshirts
Table and kitchen linens such as tea towels, dinner napkins, table runners make beautiful gifts when adding your botanical art. Again, with basic sewing skills, it is easy to make dinner napkins in linen or cotton with mitered corners but you may also purchase plain white tea towels or napkins in bulk on Amazon. I used Jolee’s Easy Image for Light Fabrics to heat transfer printed botanical images. The image should be flipped or rotated unless your printer is smart and you select image transfer. A simple iron for 60-90 seconds and peel off transfer according to instructions. Other transfer products have not been as foolproof. There are more expensive heat press machines and stock if you decide to invest.
Creating Repeating Patterns
There are basic steps you can follow to create a fool proof repeating pattern on paper without any expensive software. Combining botanical work such as wildflower sketches can make a pleasing design.
Repeating patterns with a little more complexity can be created using tools such as Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator. Many tutorials and classes are available online in surface pattern design.
Using services like Spoonflower www.spoonflower.com will give you the opportunity to layout simple or complex patterns and order printed versions of your creations on fabric or paper. (I’ve provided more information about using this resource at the end of my blog.)
In these images, my lupine watercolor has been reimagined in a repeating pattern with a background of blue and cream stripes. Dinner napkins, purses, and table runners are lovely gifts or can be used in your own home. The lupine may appear scattered and even messy as a pattern, but I prefer that look. No rules.
Stencils and Block Printing
Grab a leaf, create a stencil and use any fabric paint to create a wonderful, organic look on towels, napkins, tees etc. Heat fix textile paints according to instructions. Ferns are a great look.
Or carve a linocut block to print on paper or fabric for cards, tags or gift items. On fabric, block printing Ink for fabric such as Speedball should be used to ensure permanency.
Painting on Vintage Garden Books
So fun! Line and wash, light and sketchy works well. Mats, backing and even frames are very affordable if you do the work yourself.
This YouTube video shows how simple it is to upload a botanical motif in Spoonflower and create a half drop repeat.
https://youtu.be/yTUpp_YV_eY?si=9VmXYRo8vFE7XqtS
© Marie Brezinski, CBA East Chop Designs