State Fair Parade - Stars of the Show - Blue Ribbon Winner

Another project in the State Fair Parade! One of the reasons I like to enter different projects is to get a different opinion on my work. So I'm sharing with you what I sent to the state fair with the comments I received back - good & bad! Hopefully you will pick up some tips for your own projects!

This was one of my favorite wall hangings to design, stitch and finish! I printed a photo to put in the middle of the hanging using pre-treated fabric sheets and Bubble Jet Rinse. Here is more info on printing photos.

I used metallic thread in several colors to stitch the Curlz lettering, Lights, Camera, Action and Stars of the Show. For the sides, I couched hologram metallic thread to the black fabric, creating the colored spotlight effect.

I finished the photo, embroidered lettering and couched threads and dug and dug around in my stash of fabric looking for a fabric that was as bold and dramatic as the rest of the project. That became the dilemma; I couldn't find anything! Can you believe out of my fabric stash of hundreds and hundreds of yards, I did not have a single piece that would work?!?!

This frustrating dilemma became such a creative one. I started with a piece of black fabric and sprayed a light coating of spray adhesive. I cut up 1/2" and 1" pieces of the hologram metallic threads, letting them drop and scatter on the "sticky" fabric. I then scattered metallic embroidery threads and foil sequins on the fabric.

The next layer was a piece of black organza which I stuck down on top; sandwiching the threads between the two pieces of fabric. After the layers were stuck together well, I freehand quilting large stippling stitches all over the fabric; just enough to hold the threads a sequins inside without too much movement.

I then cut the width and length of borders I needed, stitched them to the center of the wall hanging and completed it with a black binding! Then I glued on rhinestones, star names with crystals and hollywood and camera scrapbooking diecuts for added embellishment.

I was so happy with the results and had such fun creating my own border fabric. I could never have found the right fabric with the bold and dramatic colors I was looking for, unless I made my own! Perfect!!

Out of the previous 5 projects I entered in this class - Paper Pieced Projects, Purple Hearts, Set Sail, Pink Nine Patch, Lady in the Grass - this is my absolute favorite! And this one was the blue ribbon winner!!!

Here are the judge's comments:
Such creativity!

My thoughts and comments:

I love it!! :)