Fabric Art Takes on Fashion in Many Forms

Fabric Art is different from fiber art in that fiber art often evokes images of the processes involved with gathering, combing, spinning and weaving. Fiber art utilizes rustic fibers as well as the textural elements of refined fibers usually to create functional items such as rugs, placemats or runners, wearable items such as shawls, skirts or jackets, or wall decoration.

Fabric Art brings forth images of quilting, piecing and appliqué of manufactured fabric-on-fabric or perhaps sewing with cloth in general for the purpose of creating clothing and home accessories. In the fine arts and crafts business, fiber is becoming more and more popular. Years ago, a lot fiber art was rustic in rapture. Do you remember all the woven and knotted plant hangers, rag rugs and burlap sculptures? But weaving with fine yarns, many with interesting additions of silk and ribbon and chenille has brought forth appealing and trendy wearable clothing items which buyers find desirable.

Fabric art can be described in other ways aside from quilting and appliqué work. Anyone who designs and/or sews can be considered a fabric artist. People have done so for centuries. Stiffened fabric is now used to make decorative bowls?it?s sometimes used as wallpaper and certainly fills our homes with color and texture in every conceivable way on furniture, coverings and draperies. Artistic in design, by texture, by choice of color and by application of myriads of gorgeous trims?home décor is truly ?fabric art?. From following patterns to make a simple baby layette to the most involved evening dress, sewing is also truly ?fabric art?.

However, in taking Fabric Art that ?extra step?, there is a process of applying hundreds of bits and pieces of fine fabrics to form pictures and images that has been adapted by artisans? to adorn evening bags, purses, totes, pillows and wall art. It is innovative and unlike other processes currently on the market.

This process, which utilizes double sided fabric adhesives as well as heat elements, special glues and stitching, is unlike other forms of piecing because it is not meant to look quilted or appliquéd, but rather more like a water color or oil painting in its finished form. It is not just an explosion of little pieces dropped or placed to form a textural interpretation of a scene or object as in a craft known as ?snippets?, but rather it is the use of the blended and shaded areas of various hand-dyed fabrics which are meticulously cut and placed to look like artists brush strokes. The selected pieces highlight with hue and texture to create light, dimension and depth. It requires an artist?s eye for the most effective execution. It can be done on canvas and finished with artists gel medium to capture the essence or an oil painting, or applied to clothing and accessories. It?s also very effective on decorator pillows. Utilizing the right adhesive and protective finishing processes, it can be washed or cleaned.

Designer clothing accessories like handbags and specialty evening bags are the rage right now. Everywhere you turn, stores are loaded with them. There are entire stores featuring nothing but handbags and jewelry. Not only are the big name brands doing a whopping business, but anything that looks close to those designer name brand bags sell like hot cakes. The quality is not equal, but the trend is to go for the ?look? rather than the real thing for the sake of today?s fashion trends.

For those who hold out for the real thing, there are unique and one-of-a-kind fabric art handbags, purses and totes available, most often through private artist designer websites or galleries. We?ve been creating custom Fabric Art for a number of years now for those who look for the unusual. The discerning buyer, while nodding to fashion trend, also embraces lasting quality and enduring style. Perhaps that is the true essence of purchasing something created at the hands of a Fabric Art master.

This article courtesy of  http://www.canvas-4u.com.
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