collage questions

[mamamillie]

hi, mamas.
i haven't painted in a while, but just got new brushes, paints, and a canvas and a few pieces of canvas board. I knew I wanted to do a piece for our new bedroom; I was thinking sea and sky and sailboats. But the other night, I looked at a lot of mamas stuff here and saw some beautiful collages. The next day, I found this fabric I have been saving; I love it but have only a small amount. Actually, there are two different fabrics, and I am inspired to use them in the painting, and also to use some needlepoint butterflies I made. And Im thinking about using some glitter perhaps and even about using some small silver charms I have for the sailboats, and also some shells. And then maybe use papers for the reeds behind the butterflies dancing. I am wondering what types of glue I will need and what to do to treat the fabric edges. I would really like to use something to thicken the fabric and apply it crumpled and 3d. Sorry this question isnt more specific, but what should I use to treat the fabric before applying to the canvas or canvas board and what kind of glue to use to apply the fabric and also the needlework piece. I guess I need a collage 101, so if someone has a useful link rather than try to answer my questions, that would also be helpful. Thanks!

[CorbinsMama]

You can use just white glue (e.g., Elmer's) to adhere the fabric to the canvas. If you are able to wrap the fabric around the edges, you won't need to treat the edges of the fabric with anything. If it's too short to wrap around, just use the glue to stick it to the canvas. To add the needlework, you can either actually stitch it to the canvas, through the back. Or you can just use hot glue or fabric glue to adhere it.

I hope that answers your questions. I'm not totally clear on what you are trying to do with the fabric, so I hope what I said makes sense with what you are trying to do.

[beansricerevolt]

Im a mixed media artist and with fabrics, I usually just hand stitch it on the canvas. It looks really rad to do a blanket stitch with fabrics on canvas!