Metal Artist Studio - Inspiration is everywhere!

Inspiration for your textile art may be found in unexpected places. Meet Sue Seeger. Sue is a metal sculptor, friend and neighbor. She lives just up the river from me.

Sue and her husband salvaged this garage and created an awesome studio. The garage was going to be torn down and instead they dismantled it and hauled it up from a Minneapolis backyard and resurrected it in their woods.

And this is where Sue works her magic!

These letters were created to spell "Sue Seeger's Art", but Sue's husband Dan is a creative, playful guy and has his way with her letters once in a while.



What does this have to do with fiber arts and quilting?

First of all, I think it's important to expose yourself to art of all kinds. Second, creativity is contagious. So hang out with creative people of all sorts and you will find yourself bubbling with ideas.

Sue has a way with rust and paint . . .

Hmmm . . . rust and paint works with fabric!

Do you remember this? Rust Dyed Fabric made into a Fat-Quarter Scrap-bag™?

Do you see any other influences (other than rust) that I may have been picked up while hanging out with Sue? Perhaps the color palette? Perhaps the choice of the leaf batik?

VISIT SUE's BLOG - and watch for her OPEN HOUSE IN AUGUST '09

Triple Squares Scrap-bag™ Pockets set askew . . . rust dyed and fringed Osnaburg fabric or Straight Up!

Just a little fun with the Triple Squares Scrap-bag™ Pattern. Pockets set askew . . . rust dyed and fringed Osnaburg fabric.


Straight UP! Below is the same bag done traditionally, according to the pattern directions.

The Rusty Turtle and Textured Turtle - Rust Dyed Fabrics!

Another great Rust Dying site. Textured Turtle.
You can even buy these fabric from her Etsy shop, The Rusty Turtle!

Rust Dyeing Link

A while ago, I posted about Rust Dyeing fabrics. Many of you responded with interest. I have just run across another blog with lots of great info and images. Please visit Rust-Tex.

Fabric Rust Dyeing / Surface Design Technique

Here's another part of my work area that you haven't seen yet. It's actually my laundry room in the basement. This is where I do all my messy, wet work like fabric dying, painting and now Rust Dyeing. Rust dyeing is a new favorite technique of mine . . . it's very very easy, and with exciting and unexpected results!

That's my friend Linda Thiltgen, waiting patiently for me,
we have play days in this room.
To see Linda's work please visit her website & blog.

Below are the results of my first attempt at Rust Dyeing.

For complete instructions contact Susan Stein about her class at
Colorful Quilts & Textiles
or order her new book Fabric Art Workshop!

Below, I used the Fat-Quarter Scrap-bag pattern to make this little clutch bag from a combination of batiks, hand dyed fabrics and of course a strip of my new rusted fabric.

Create something unexpected!