Heavy Metal –
Make a Postcard with Angelina and Étal

by Sharon Benton
 

Part 1 – Making the Angelina background

Materials:

Supplies:

This postcard was created using a background of Angelina Fibers with Étal Creative Metallics machine appliquéd on top. This lesson will explain how to use Angelina fibers to create an elegant variegated background. Part two will show you how to machine appliqué with Étal Creative Metallics.

Step 1: Select at least 4 colors of Angelina fibers.

Step 2: Put them all together and mix them up by pulling them apart and putting them back together. You'll end up with a lovely "rat's nest" clump of fibers.

Spread out the fibers on parchment paper or a Teflon pressing sheet. Shape as closely as you can to a 5 x 7 rectangle. Don't worry if the coverage is uneven or sparse in some spots – you'll have a layer of fabric behind it.

 

Remember: Never iron the Angelina directly – it will melt on your iron!

Step 3:  Set your iron to a medium temperature. Fold parchment paper or Teflon pressing cloth over the fibers. Iron the fibers very briefly – 2-3 seconds, then check to see if they bonded.

It should look like a shimmery iridescent sheet and lose its "fibery" appearance. If not, press for another couple of seconds until it looks smooth. If you iron too long, the fibers will lose some of their sheen and the colors may shift (not necessarily a bad thing), but press the fibers just a couple of seconds at a time until you get the color and consistency you want.

Step 4: When you are happy with the look of the fibers, trim to 4½" x 6½".

Step 5: Now preview a few different colors of fabric for the background. In the photo, the top piece is backed by a bronze silk and the bottom one with lime green. Your background is now ready for embellishment!

Step 6: But wait – don't throw away those Angelina scraps. You can stitch them on a piece of fabric collage style and start making a new card!

... And beware of cats who want to help you!

Next time: Working with Étal Metallic Fibers