For this tutorial, I used Fantasy Fibers, sold by ArtGlitter.com.
If you’ve never used Hot-Fix Fibers- usually sold under the name “Angelia Fibers” or “Fantasy Fibers”, let me be the one to introduce you to these wonderful, gossamer-like fibers! They look like cotton candy, sparkle like rainbows, and add punch to your sewing and mixed-media projects.
Here’s how it’s described on one website (SoftExpressions.com) :
Angelina Fiber is a new, very fine (sized as small as 10 denier), unique fiber. Light reflective, as well as light refractive, Angelina is incredibly luminescent while (unlike regular metallics) it has an extremely soft hand. Blended with other fibers in amounts as small as 2%, it gives sparkle and highlight to your threads, yarns, art quilts, or surface design and embellishment project.
\In naturally occurring mother of pearl, opals and peacock feather, reflected rays interact to reinforce some wavelengths and dampen others. This breaks up the white light, so various colors reflect to the viewer. This same concept is used in the manufacture of the Iridescent Angelina fiber.
NOTE: The base color is the color of the fiber when there is no direct light reflection. Every portion of the fiber has the potential to reflect to the viewer sparkles of color. This is what gives the fiber its lively “color in motion” quality. The effect can be like watching light dance off the surface of water.
The slivers of holographic fibers give off ultra high-tech color refractive rainbow, while the metalized fiber gives soft metallic highlights.
The Electric has soft reflection and solid neon colors. Imagine diamond-like dew drops on a spider’s web and the iridescence of butterfly wings!
Angelina Fibers Types:
- Heat bondable AKA Hot Fix: These fibers can be ironed at a low temperature to fuse them together. You can mix with Staple colors in any combination and use the Heatbondable fibers as the “glue” The end result will be determined by the temperature, pressure from the iron and time used to heat the fibers. Generally, these fibers will not fuse to any other fiber, paper or other medium except itself.
- Staple (NOT Heatbondable): The Staples do not adhere to themselves or the heat bondables. Heated on a higher temperature may get it to fuse but you may lose color and/or sheen according to the manufacturer. Mixed with the heat bondables. You can use them anywhere. They can add a third dimension if you wish to let some fibers protrude from the surface of your artwork.
Today, I’m specifically going to talk about how to stamp and even color on HFF and show you some of the projects I’ve made.
You’ll need: Hot-Fix Fibers, a permanent dye-based stamp pad, stamp, watercolor paints like twinkling H20’s, non-stick pressing sheet, and maybe some Fantasy Film.
Ink stamp liberally, face up on your work surface.
Layer HFF's directly onto your stamp. (The ink will keep them from sticking.) I like to start with a thin cloud of white, then add additional colors on top of that.
Cover and press with a dry iron set to Cotton. When I can see the image come through the pressing sheet, I know it’s bonded well enough. Remember- non-stick pressing sheets, or parchment in a pinch!
When you lift off the pressing sheet, chances are good that the fibers will stick to one side.... and you'll notice that the image is only fused where the stamp was; the outer edges, especially, will be fuzzy. If you like, you can cover with the pressing sheet again and give it a quick press to fuse those fuzzies down... or not... personal choice!Peel it off the sheet. Oh! Isn't it shiny and great?
If you want to use the fantasy film, follow the same steps as before, but layer a sheet or two of the fantasy film on the top… then press as before. Remember, the Fantasy Film and Hot-Fix Fibers will stick to each other, but do not contain adhesive to stick to your projects. You’ll need a powered or fusible web for that.
One fused with the Fantasy Film as the last layer… personally, I like to trim away the excess FF so it isn’t so visible- it makes a harder “edge” to the piece, and I like the wispy look. However, don’t worry about sewing through it- it’s no problem at all.
Next, COLOR! I use a watercolor paing- Twinkling H20’s- using a water brush. The inked edges create a little dam to keep the color from bleeding too much.
All colored in, and ready to be stitched or glued onto your project of choice. They make GREAT mini-quilts, ATC’s, postcards, purses… on and on! And of course, they are much more shiny and iridescent in person.
I stamped this image on Angelina Fibers, then hand-colored it in with Twinkling H2O’s (a watercolor paint). I stamped the quote “In all things in nature, there is something of the marvelous- Aristotle” also in Angelina. (Quote by Stampin’ UP) I free-motioned it all together on some batik cotton, and added the little dragonfly charm.
This is from the “Winter Wonderland” Swap. Angelina fibers layered under embellished organza; beaded snowflake embellishment. The ribbon says “let it snow.”
I haven’t really found a way to photograph the Hot-Fix Fibers in a way that does them justice. Oh, and one more example- I layered HFF, cut them up, refused them, and made wings for my Fairy when I reviewed the Diane Shoenbrun book, Beasties.
Front of wings- heavily layered, re-fused, and then zig-zag stitched around the edges.
Back.
So there they are! They stitch like a dream- no special needle, thread, or tension necessary. What could you use Hot-Fix Fibers on to punch up a project? I’d love to hear!
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