Paper Laminated onto Silk Organza

This post is a continuation of the altering magazine papers with CitraSolv. Once the altered papers dried, I decided to laminate them to silk organza using an acrylic gel medium. Another technique that I've wanted to try for quite some time.

I set up my work space with covered tables with drop cloths, straight pins, paper towels, acrylic gel medium, small spatula, silk organza and altered papers. I set up the tables like an assemble line. Pinning the silk organza to the dropped cloths helped to keep it from moving but I still had the altered paper moving around.

 

I didn't take a photo of how I applied the acrylic gel medium to the altered paper/silk organza pieces. Most people lay a screen on top then apply the acrylic gel medium with a spatula. I didn't have a screen handy so, I directly applied the acrylic gel medium to the altered paper/silk organza pieces. It seemed to work out okay.

 

close up of altered paper/silk organza with acrylic gel medium

Once all the laminated papers dried, it was on to ironing them. Yes, I said ironing them! This step needs to be done! The acrylic gel medium glues the fabric to the paper but the iron bonds the paper and fabric together.

I've read different articles using parchment paper or paper grocery bag or freezer paper to protect the paper/fabric and iron. I didn't have parchment paper on hand so I tried a paper grocery bag and freezer paper. Make sure to iron each piece at least 5 minutes.

The freezer paper worked better than the paper grocery bag. I had to use 4 pieces of freezer paper to iron for 30 paper/fabric pieces. Next time I'll try the parchment paper. 

The next step is to soak all the paper/fabric pieces in cold water so the excess paper can be removed. Add just enough cold water to cover all the paper/fabric pieces. Now you know why ironing the pieces is so important. If the paper isn't bonded to the fabric then all the work you did up to this step will be lost.

After 10 -15 minutes, remove the paper/fabric pieces from the cold water. Put each piece face down on a plastic tablecloths and start remove the excess paper on the back. What you're doing is removing the image on the back of the magazine page, which isn't bonded to the silk organza. This step will make laminated papers thinner and easier to stitch. I started to use my finger nails but it was taking too long. I got out an expired credit card to use. It took off more of the paper faster. This is a messy process. Side note: I had a realization that I like to get messy when I create art. 

photo of the back

close up of a section on the back

While I was removing the back paper, I put this paper pulp in a plastic container with some water. I want to make paper for another project. Another post for another day.

paper pulp in plastic container with water

As the excess paper was being removed, I hung each piece on a clothes rack to dry.
 

Here are some of the dried pieces. The silk organza makes the altered papers lighter with a white haze on top to soften the look. I've made 30 pieces so far. The project idea I have in mind is large so I need to make at least 30 more pieces. These are a good start.
 

Thanks for stopping by!