Watercolor Wings with Kid Watercolored Fabric • Heather Handmade

When I was thinking about my inspiration from Alice in Wonderland, I first wanted to make fabulous outfits or throw a really fun party. Then I came across the quote, “Imagination is the only weapon in the war against reality.” It made me stop and think. I want my kids to have big imaginations and know that I want them to use them. If they come up with an idea, I want them and me to try it out. So I changed my plan.

I decided to freeze some food coloring in ice cube trays. Then I cut one yard of muslin fabric and laid it out in a giant tub. I threw the food coloring ice cubes on the fabric and let the kids play and draw on the fabric. It was a hot day, but it still took some time for the ice and color to melt all over the fabric to create watercolored fabric. (I decided to use food coloring because it was safer for the kids and I don’t plan on washing the resulting fabric.)

The kids really enjoyed playing with the color and the ice. It was so fun to see them experience ice melting and coloring their own fabric.

Once the fabric was completely dry, I cut out two wing shapes from the fabric. I also cut out the wing shape from a very stiff sew-in interfacing and some batting. I sewed the lace around the edge of one watercolor fabric wing. Then I layered the watercolor fabric with lace, the other watercolor fabric, the batting, and then the interfacing. I sewed around the edges with a small seam allowance and left a place for turning.

Then I turned the wings right side out and topstitched around the edges to close the hole and make the lace stand out. Then I did some simple quilting to give the wings some details. Lastly, I added two elastic shoulder straps for wearing. The straps are much too long for my daughter, but they are perfect for years of dressups. Whenever I see it, it’ll remind me about having adventures with my kids and helping their imagination grow.

If you make something using this tutorial, I’d love to see! Please share it on social media with the hashtag #heatherhandmade and tag me!

Monday July 13th || Kid Approved | Call Ajaire

Tuesday July 14th || Sew Country Chick | Feathers Flights | StraightGrain

Wednesday July 15th || Sewpony | As It Seams

Thursday July 16th || Boy, oh Boy, oh Boy Crafts | Brooklyn Pattern Co. | Pienkel

Friday July 17th || While She Was Sleeping | Girl Like The Sea

Saturday July 18th || Falafel and the Bee | Huisje Boompje Boofjes | A Jennuine Life

Sunday July 19th || Paisley Roots | La Inglesita | DoGuincho
Monday July 20th || Nearest The Pin | Falafel and the Bee (2)

Comments

Meriel Aho says
July 21, 2015 at 3:03 am
Ohh, now I have to do this! They look amazing!
Ajaire Parello says
July 16, 2015 at 1:16 am
such a fun idea!!
Courtney Draper says
July 15, 2015 at 6:41 pm
I love the whole process of this project! So much fun for your kids and the end result is stunning!
Jenya @ While she was sleeping says
July 15, 2015 at 10:40 am
What a wonderful take on this series! Love the fact the kids have been so involved! I bet they have had a lot of fun!
Kristie says
July 15, 2015 at 2:38 pm
Claire looks so grown up! I love these wings. So pretty. And once they aren't played with, they would be lovely on the back of a quilt or hung up in a bedroom. You did a fabulous job. And now to write down that quote and put it where I can see it.
Abby says
July 14, 2015 at 5:41 pm
That is fantastic!! What a great idea!

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