This will protect and fortify
the paper towel for any other
manipulations you have in
mind.TIP:It’s unnecessary to slather the paper
towel with fl uid acrylic medium. Rather,
dab to fi ll in any creases. Don’t obsess
about full coverage.
- Allow the fl uid acrylic medium
to dry for 24 hours. You’ll note
that the hand of the paper towel
will have changed. It will still be
supple, but a bit stiffer.
Use the paper towels for myriad
projects including collage, appliqué,
and sewing.
Oh, So Many Uses
Collage: Use the paper towels as you would any other paper ephemera in your
work. Th e texture and colors will make a particularly lovely element. Further
embellish them with paint or stamps.
Appliqué: I suggest using a paper-backed fusible web with the design already
drawn in order to minimize the chance of puncturing the paper towel while
sketching. (Be sure to work in mirror image if you are transferring text, etc.)
Adhere the fusible to the back of the paper towel as you would a cotton fabric.
Cut out the design and fuse it to the selected background. You may stitch
around the edges or leave them be. Th e fused paper towels will not fray.
TIP:Use a size 70 sharps or jeans needle so the machine neatly punctures—as
opposed to tears—the paper towels.
Sewing: Paper towels can be sewn together (or sewn to fabrics) for mixed-media
compositions. Be sure to use a size 70 sharps or jeans needle so the machine
neatly punctures the paper towel. Th e paper towels will even be sturdy enough
to use as traditional quilt binding.
TIP:Don’t fold artworks that are made with paper towels in order to avoid
indelible creases. Hang or wrap these artworks around pool noodles for storage
or shipping.“Anticipation: Channeling Rex Ray” • 15" x 15"Want to learn more?
Watch Vivien demonstrate
this technique on
“Quilting Arts TV”
Series 2600 available at
quiltingartstv.com or
your local PBS station.