Sewing isn’t limited to fabric — try using paper

Dear Sandi: I understand that your company has a certain type of paper that can be sewn on. Can you sew on paper, and if so, what type? Can you please give me some more information on this and a bit about how to work with it? Thanks. —Connie J., Salem

Hi Connie: Yes, you can sew on paper. Actually, you can sew on quite a few different types, depending on what you are going for.

Our company has developed a particular type of paper called Project Paper that is designed to be distressed. The distressing process makes the paper more pliable and begins to give it an almost fabric-like appearance. At this point, it can be used for a variety of different things, including sewing projects.

Most types of handmade paper also cana be sewn on. The process of hand beating the long cellulose fibers into the raw material used to make the pulp usually insures that there are long, strong fibers in the finished piece, making it a good candidate for the stress of sewing. Iron-on interfacings available at fabric stores also will increase the strength of the paper.

But back to distressing: This is a very simple process that we always use when we are working with any type of machine-made paper, which is what the Project Paper is. It has a printed design on a recycled kraft, and recycled paper generally has very short fibers, so you need to do something to increase the flexibility and durability of the paper before working with it.

Whether you're looking for handmade paper, furniture, fabric or accessories, you will find it at loose ends. If it is unusual, organic and fabulous, then loose ends is the place. Showroom hours are 8 am to 5 pm weekdays and the first Saturday of each month 10 am - 3pm at 2065 Madrona Ave. SE, Salem, or visit us online at www.looseends.com Questions? Give us a call at (503) 390-2348.

Because this type of paper starts out stiff, we apply moisture to the paper by lightly spritzing it with a fine water mist (pick up a good spray bottle from the nursery or plant department at any store that carries houseplants).

Dampen the paper with the spray mist, then start wadding up the paper. The softening effect of the water on the water-soluble inks will make the paper extremely pliable. You can twist, wrinkle, wad, etc., the more you do, the softer and more fabric-like the paper becomes.

I have frequently had people use the papers at this stage as curtains or window swags. The paper will re-stiffen as it dries, so this is only good for effect, not as a utilitarian application.

With the handmade papers, you may opt to distress or not, depending on the paper and how it reacts with the moisture. Unfortunately, the only way to really determine this on any particular handmade paper is by experimentation. Some papers become wonderful with this technique while others are better left in its original condition.

Sandi Reinke is an author, frequent television guest and lead designer for loose ends (www.loosends.com), a Salem-based interior décor, garden, and casual lifestyle company. To ask Reinke a decorating question, e-mail art@looseends.com or mail her at the showroom address, 2065 Madrona Ave. SE, Salem, OR 97302. Phone: 503-390-2348.

Depending on your sewing plans, you may or may not want to apply interfacing. If you are working with a pattern, iron the original paper and the interfacing together first, then cut them out together. If you are working with a distressed paper, allow it to dry, then flatten and smooth it out with your hands, then iron on the interfacing.

So, what can you sew with paper? We have done pillows, curtains, vests, dolls, stuffed animals, chair and table skirts, window treatments, etc. Anything decorative that will not get much use is a good candidate for this technique.

We have sewn vests to wear at trade shows that have lasted for years, but they are treated gently and only worn for the few days of the trade shows. We have paper pillows that have been used as decorative throws for years; again, they are treated gently and never subjected to real pillow use.

If you are skilled with a sewing machine, then probably all kinds of ideas are going to come to you. If the sewing machine is a bit of a mystery to you, there is no reason you can’t do some hand stitching on the paper also. We have seen lovely pieces of artwork created by hand stitching different types of paper together, using the stitching as part of the entire design process. September 30, 2005