Machine Embroidery using Rubber Stamps and Angelina Fibers

I'm off to the Houston Quilt Festival tomorrow so if you are going to be there stop by the Embellishment Village Booth and see me!!  I'm really looking forward to going and sharing so of the exciting new things we are doing with Angelina Fibers.  This post I'm going to share how you can make a piece of textured Angelina and then use this in your machine embroidery.  If you want to more about Machine Embroidery using Angelina Fibers and Film you can contact me at www.cowgirlquiltdesigns.com and request a copy of my detailed instructions. 

Textured Angelina

This technique produces a gorgeous piece of Angelina with an embossed design.  I think that textured Angelina gives the look of embossed metals and I particularly like to use it in appliqué designs as the fabric component.  Since Angelina is a Polyester-based fiber what you are doing when you create a piece of textured Angelina is creating a piece of fabric, which you can use just like you would use any other fabric. 

1.      Use your Stamplates or Texture your Textiles stamps to get this effect.  These stamps are created specifically for fabric stamping, using the deep etch method so they are deeper than a regular crafting stamp.  The fibers can get into the crevices of the stamp and the result is a beautiful embossed piece of Angelina.  My favorite stamp to use is the Swirls pattern.  My favorite color of Angelina to use is Peacock.

Texture Your Textile Stamp -Swirls Pattern

2.     Take your stamp and place it design side up on your surface (I always use my pressing sheet “book”). 

3.     If you are using a light shade of Angelina, you can apply some ink to the stamp.  Use Pigment Ink (I recommend Colorbox Pigment Ink) as it becomes permanent when ironed, so you can wash and dry it.  If you are using a dark shade of Angelina, I generally don’t use ink.  To apply the ink, take your ink pad and hold it upside down in your hand between your thumb and fingers.  Now you can pounce the ink pad directly onto the stamp’s design for full coverage.

4.     Put a clump of Angelina over the top of the stamp.  It doesn’t matter how thin or thick it is, you just need to cover the entire stamp.  Leave the Angelina hanging off the edges.  Anything you cut off after embossing the Angelina, can be re-used, so nothing goes to waste. 

5.     Put the top of the Pressing Sheet “Book” over the top of the Angelina covered stamp.  If you are right handed, put your left hand on the left lower corner of the pressing sheet to hold it down while you drag the iron across the stamp with your iron held in your right hand (lefties do the reverse).  Remember, you are dragging it across, rather than pressing down.  As soon as you start to see the design show through the pressing sheet it is done. 

6.     Remove the textured piece of Angelina from the stamp (it won’t stick).  Use this piece as the fabric element in any appliqué machine embroidery design and take your design to the next level! 

7.     Embroider your appliqué design as usual, except the Textured Angelina will be your fabric.

Have Fun!