PROJECTS WITH ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS

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Supplemental Resources

These are some of the alternative bers I have in storage. They include
variations of string, jute, raf a, hemp, linen, cotton, and sisal. While some
materials might be too thick to run through a punch needle, ne bers can
be doubled up to create the desired width. When using alternative materials,
it is always best to test them out with a punch needle before purchasing a
large quantity.

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This image demonstrates three different types of materials used with a
Regular Oxford Punch Needle. From top to bottom, the ber shown is; wool
yarn, repurposed wool fabric, and a stripped upcycled plastic bag.

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This piece is punched using Darn Good Yarn’s upcycled Sari Yarn. The at,
cotton ribbon has frayed raw edges, which creates a variety of texture on the
looped surface. The bright and speckled fabric makes an interesting solid
color when lling in a surface.
Testing out materials on a small surface, like this 5-inch hoop, will help you to
see how the material punches and help you to envision what it will look like
on a larger project.

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This small wall hanging combines linen ber, punched with a Fine Oxford
Punch Needle, and applique. The different mediums of wool and cotton
fabric, combined with linen, makes a layered and textured piece. The blank
linen surface of the material helps to balance the composition.
Hooked linen, wool and cotton fabric sewn on linen.

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 This small bag was made from an old,
repurposed mohair sweater. The sweater
was something in my closet that I no
longer wore, by simply unraveling the
yarn I was able to reuse the material to
punch.

This graphic sign language punch piece

was made with a plastic bag I found on the
streets of NYC. After cleaning the bag, I
folded it and cut it into strips that I ran
through a punch needle. In this way, the
delicate ne lines of the plastic look more
like ink than they do punched ber. You
can see the detail of the stitches the closer
you are to the actual piece.

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 This purse was created using an old pair
of cotton jersey pants. I removed the pant
seams and cut the material to make long
strips that could run through my punch
needle. The frayed edges are the result of
fraying out the foundation cloth that was
used as a base for the punch piece.

This small textured bag was made with

raf a. The front is a combination of at
stitches combined with exaggerated
long loops that I then cut to create a
tasseled look. The long loops are created
by pinching and pulling the ber as you
punch.

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 This wall hanging is a combination
of punched raf a and linen in
combination with paint. The painted
surface is created using a hand
made stencil, so the paint does not
bleed on the linen foundation cloth.
The multi media use of ber and
paint creates a textured layered
piece, the blank space of the linen
balances the composition.

This wall hanging was made with

cotton butchers twine from the
hardware store. The cotton string
punches smoothly and evenly, while
the dangling bers at the bottom are
achieved by pinching and pulling the
ber to create a 3-dimensional effect.
The piece was made on traditional
linen foundation cloth, highlighting the
contrast of the white ber to the
natural earthy fabric.

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 This in-process wall hanging
shows the combination of a
repurposed plastic bag outline
and wool rug yarn. The ne and
shiny lines are in nice contrast to
the mat colorful yarn.

This in process wall hanging was made

using raf a string on linen.

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 This coat was made using
cotton butchers twine, (from the
hardware store), in combination
with wool yarn. The coat was
made in one piece and whip
stitched together by hand with a
darning needle. The coat is also
reversible, with one side showing the looped ber and the other side
displaying the stitches.

This small heart shaped bag was made with a

repurposed child’s jumper. The cotton material
was stripped to remove any seams and
punched with an Oxford Punch Needle and
sewn into a bag.

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 This small purse was made with raf a. The
exaggerated long loops combined with stitches
creates a textured look.

This textured small purse was made with

inexpensive butchers twine. The textured
exaggerated loops create a nice contrast
with the at stitches.

This headboard was made with a repurposed cotton bedsheet that was
naturally dyed to create subtle tones. The piece is balanced by the natural
exposed foundation cloth.

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 This small peep hole purse was made using
raf a and uses at stitches and exaggerated,
shagged loops to create texture. All the nished
edges are either whip stitched or sewn to create
the body of the bag.

This small punch needle piece was made using repurposed clothing and
combines both wool fabric with cotton.

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 This small raf a piece is used to
conceal tissues. The playful whip-
stitched center hole exposes an
easy to grab tissue.

These cushions were made with a

combination of wool yarn and
repurposed old clothing.

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These wall hangings are made using
cotton butchers twine on traditional linen
(left) and a repurposed plastic bag on
bleached linen.

This picture shows hand torn cotton bed sheets that have been prepared to
punch with an Oxford Punch
Needle

This was created with upcycled

striped bed sheets.

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