Quilting Arts

i

’ve become addicted to cheesecloth! I was introduced to

its textural magic a few years ago by one of my students.

But, it wasn’t until I needed party favors for my 60th birthday

celebration that my love affair with cheesecloth really took

off. Using the techniques described below, I started custom

painting rolls of cheesecloth for my friends and students as

a token of appreciation. The inevitable question of “how

can I use this?” then surfaced. That thought sent me down a

rabbit hole of creating colorful and textural artworks made

with layers of cheesecloth and fabric, stitched together with

couched yarns and threads.

Why do I love painted cheesecloth so much? I love how when layered

on top of a colored background fabric, it can change and enrich the color.

I love how I can encapsulate fabric and yarn scraps under its web to create

interesting surfaces. I love how bits of it can add a dash of texture and

color to an art piece. I hope you enjoy creating your own custom colored

cheesecloth and fi nd ways to incorporate this unique substrate into your

own artwork.

MATERIALS

• Cheesecloth with an open weave
  (often packaged in 36" x 3 yards; I
  use Dritz®.)


• Plastic sheeting


• Old bed sheet or drop cloth


• 15" x 20" foam core board or stiff
  cardboard covered with plastic


• Transparent fabric paint in
  assorted colors plus black (I use
  Pēbēo Setacolor.)


• Small plastic containers


• Plastic spoons for mixing


• Plant mister with water


• 1" foam brushes


• Press cloth
  Optional


• Fan


• Plastic gloves

Ph

ot

os^

by

H

orn

ick

Riv

lin

.co

m

un

les

s^ o

th

erw

ise

no

ted

by Julie B. Booth

Cheese!

SAY

Try painting cheesecloth