Packaging Paper as a Substrate

Woven packaging material used as a substrate on needle made lace

In the above project strips of various packaging materials were cut into random strips and then joined by placing one on top of the other (to create a flat seam) and machine stitched to create long strips. Be sure to clean the packaging material well before you commence.

These strips were then woven together (over one, under one) to create a background. The edges of the weaving were pinned together and a sheer overlay from a recycled skirt was placed over the top and some cotton fabric placed underneath for stability. This sandwich was then free machine quilted in a cobblestone pattern.

The Queen Anne’s Lace was created with free machine embroidery on water soluble fabric. Once the water soluble had been washed away just the lace remained and this was slightly padded under the flower heads and appliqued to the quilt top

I used random packaging but a more coordinated effect could be achieved by colour selection of the packaging material, In the finished quilt it is quite difficult to identify individual packaging but I know there were hand wash soft packaging, camembert cheese. coffee and egg paper from a tray of eggs to name a few.