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Using fabric or ribbons instead of a printed image to make a glass tile works very well, but there are a few tips and tricks to avoid bubbles and disasters!
Click here for basic instructions
EXTRA TIPS
- Make sure your fabric is flat and smooth, without embellishment/sequins/eyelets/a heavy weave etc. This means you won't have big problems with bubbles. If you are wanting to use more tactile or special fabrics, you will need to apply to the 'wrong' side of the tile as with ribbon below.
- You will need more glaze than for a printed image as the material will soak it up
- Any excess fabric sticking out from the edge of the tile will be stiff from glaze but can be easily trimmed with sharp scissors or a craft knife (watch your fingers).
- Finish with an ample amount of glaze on the back of the fabric (where it may touch your skin) as otherwise it may be a bit stiff and scratchy.
DO YOU HAVE MORE TIPS? Contact us with them and we will add them to the list :)
EXTRA TIPS
- Consider a base layer of fabric first (it doesn't need to dry) before adding the ribbons. This helps the ribbons stick better and it doesn't matter so much if they do not cover the whole tile.
- You can adhere picture first as normal, this will give you a neat backing for your piece (like that hot pink silk lining in a black jacket) before continuing with the ribbon application.
- Use as many layers as you like
- Any excess fabric/ribbon sticking out from the edge of the tile will be stiff from glaze but can be easily trimmed with sharp scissors or a craft knife (watch your fingers).
- Finish with an ample amount of glaze on the final top layer to both seal everything together and provide a smoother, more glass like surface finish for your tile.
DO YOU HAVE MORE TIPS? Contact us with them and we will add them to the list :)
1. Using Fabric
All the same principles apply for making the tile just as if you were using a printed image.Click here for basic instructions
EXTRA TIPS
- Make sure your fabric is flat and smooth, without embellishment/sequins/eyelets/a heavy weave etc. This means you won't have big problems with bubbles. If you are wanting to use more tactile or special fabrics, you will need to apply to the 'wrong' side of the tile as with ribbon below.
- You will need more glaze than for a printed image as the material will soak it up
- Any excess fabric sticking out from the edge of the tile will be stiff from glaze but can be easily trimmed with sharp scissors or a craft knife (watch your fingers).
- Finish with an ample amount of glaze on the back of the fabric (where it may touch your skin) as otherwise it may be a bit stiff and scratchy.
DO YOU HAVE MORE TIPS? Contact us with them and we will add them to the list :)
2. Using Ribbons and non-smooth fabrics
If you make up the tile the usual way, with the ribbons underneath the glass, you will most likely have a lot of trouble with bubbles. Therefore, adhere your ribbons to the back side of the tile - the smooth 'front' of the tile will end up against your skin. You can then have as much texture as you like without worrying about bubbles/movement of final placements.EXTRA TIPS
- Consider a base layer of fabric first (it doesn't need to dry) before adding the ribbons. This helps the ribbons stick better and it doesn't matter so much if they do not cover the whole tile.
- You can adhere picture first as normal, this will give you a neat backing for your piece (like that hot pink silk lining in a black jacket) before continuing with the ribbon application.
- Use as many layers as you like
- Any excess fabric/ribbon sticking out from the edge of the tile will be stiff from glaze but can be easily trimmed with sharp scissors or a craft knife (watch your fingers).
- Finish with an ample amount of glaze on the final top layer to both seal everything together and provide a smoother, more glass like surface finish for your tile.
DO YOU HAVE MORE TIPS? Contact us with them and we will add them to the list :)
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This tile has a piece of scrapbooking paper on the 'reverse' side, a layer of silk fabric across the middle, and then different ribbons layered over the top of that. - made by Kath Weir |