Saturday, February 7, 2015

Day 7: Fabric Printing at Home Blog Tour


Can you believe it's Day #7! I've been having such a great time reading your comments and sharing tips and projects...and there's still a week to go!

Today the Tour visits with Susan Purney Mark. After reading her bio, all I can say is, "Wow!"


As a textile artist, Susan has embarked on a life transforming journey into the world of colour, design and pattern. Working with textiles has become her method of self expression and the focus of her methods of communication.

She has studied Design, Patchwork and Embroidery with the prestigious City & Guilds Institute of London, England and has studied with internationally acclaimed teachers/quilt makers Nancy Crow, Jan Meyers Newbury, Elin Noble, Gail Harker and Ruth Issett. Susan has also been awarded two Certificates in Art and Design and Textile Design/Decoration from the Gail Harker Creative Studies Centre in Washington, USA.
 
Susan has spent the last 20 years learning, experimenting and finally teaching a variety of surface design techniques in dyeing, painting, screen printing and image transfers. Most recently she has focused on soy wax resists and has recently released an instructional DVD on many of the techniques she is currently teaching across North America. Her work is known for its use of traditional methods with contemporary design and materials.http://susanpm.blogspot.com


Stop by Susan's blog today and leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Fabric Printing at Home. Susan is also offering a piece of hand-printed fabric she designed using rolling pins! Be sure to check it out!

Valentine's Fabric Gift Wrap


In today's project, I'll show you how to make a Valentine's Day fabric gift wrap using two different fabric resist techniques. The first technique is a knotted resist (a bonus that is not covered in my book), the second technique is a wheat flour paste resist (that is covered in my book).

For the knotted resist you'll need: A flat work surface covered with plastic. I used a portable work surface which I describe how to make on page 14 in Chapter 1: Getting Started;  15" x 15" piece of Prepared for Dyeing cotton (or pre-washed white 100% cotton); two Valentine's colors in transparent fabric paint (I used fuchsia and red); Add a small amount of water to slightly dilute the paint; plastic paint containers; spoons to mix the paint; (2) 1" foam brushes; water; plant mister; iron and ironing board; optional: wipe up cloth.

1. Mist the cotton fabric so the paint can penetrate the fibers. Start at one corner and roll the fabric on the diagonal into a tube.


2. Knot the fabric in several places and paint with the fuchsia and red paint.


3. Immediately, unknot the fabric and let it dry flat. When dry, iron the fabric to remove wrinkles.


You will now add the second resist layer to the 15" x 15" piece of fabric. You will need: flat work surface covered in plastic, wheat flour; water; container to mix up the wheat flour paste; measuring cups; wire whisk; large metal spoon; plant mister; plastic spreader; masking tape; wooden skewer; paper towel; blue transparent fabric paint (add a small amount of water to dilute it); (1) 2" foam brush; paint container; extra piece of cotton or muslin fabric that is at least 15" x 15"; pressing cloth; iron and ironing board; sink; dishwashing liquid.

1. Tape the 15" painted square of fabric to the work surface.

2. Mix up the wheat flour paste resist using the recipe on page 98 in Chapter 6: Irresistible.


3.  Mist the 15" x 15" fabric with water.

4. Spoon the wheat flour paste resist onto the fabric and use the plastic spreader to spread a thin even coat over the surface.


5. Let the paste-covered fabric sit for a couple of minutes. Then use the flat end of the wooden skewer to draw into the paste. You can draw designs or write words. Occasionally, wipe the end of the skewer on a paper towel to keep it clean.


6. Let the flour paste resist dry completely. Optional: Carefully manipulate the paste-covered fabric to form small cracks.

7. Slip the extra piece of fabric under the paste-covered square. Paint with the blue transparent paint.


8. Let the paint dry completely. Set the paint following the manufacturer's instructions.

9. Remove the wheat flour paste. See page 113 in Chapter 6: Irresistible.


To wrap the fabric around a gift box, see the directions here (from Julie B Booth Surface Design News).


Today's giveaway is a a set of 3 plastic spreaders. Use these to spread paste resists on your fabric. Leave a comment for a chance to win. I will choose a winner at 11:00 PM Eastern USA time. Check tomorrow's post to see if you are the winner. Your comment also enters you in the final drawing on February 15 for a free copy of Fabric Printing at Home: Quick and Easy Fabric Design Using Fresh Produce and Found Objects. 

  
And now for the winner of yesterday's giveaway (a mini hot glue gun and glue sticks)....congratulations to Jans S ! Please email me with your contact information (threadborn@cox.net) so I can send off your prize.

Tomorrow, the Tour stops at Teri Lucas' blog. Teri is an accomplished (award winning!) machine quilter, quilting teacher and magazine editor. Thanks for Joining the Tour, Teri!
 
Be sure to visit all the stops on the Tour:
February 2: Lisa Chin

February 3: Lynn Krawczyk
February 4: Jane Davila
 
February 5: Carol R. Eaton 
February 6: Judy Gula 
February 7: Susan Purney Mark 
February 8: Teri Lucas 
February 9: Jennifer Coyne Qudeen 
February 10: Deborah Boschert 
February 11: Lynda Heines 
February 12: Cheryl Sleboda 
February 13: Terri Stegmiller 
February 14: Jackie Lams






28 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Hi Janice- So easy and great results. I used to keep it knotted until it was completely dry but all the paint seemed to pool and was very strong only on the outside of the fabric. Opening it up right away seems to give the best results.

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  2. Can't believe I would have the first comment on the blog today! Love the results with this resist. How well does it work to put another piece of fabric on top of the painted resist, too? Might not want it with the words in this example, of course!

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    1. Hi Kathy- I haven't tried putting another piece of fabric on top of the painted resist. I'm sure it would have some interesting textures...and besides, it seems a shame to waste all that paint that's sitting on the surface of the dried flour paste! I'll have to give it a try.

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  3. I love, love this piece of fabric Julie!

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    1. Thanks, Gill...seems fitting..."loving" LOVE fabric :).

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  4. The wheat flour paste resist was one of my favorite techniques when I took the class with you. Can't wait to try the painted knots.

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    1. Hi Marcia-
      I think you like the technique-it's so quick and you can cover a whole piece of fabric with color and texture.

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  5. What FUN gift wrap. I like the rolled and then knotted paint technique; I haven't ever seen it before! Thanks for the chance to win.

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  6. So many great ideas. I have never triedflour resist and this looks like a great idea for a project I am working on now. Thanks!

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    1. Excellent! It's a great resist for mark making and also can mimic the "crackle" effect of batik.

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  7. Can't wait to get out my fabric and paint and try this technique. Thanks for sharing!

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  8. Question...is it okay to set the paint with heat when the paste is on the cloth? The paste will still wash away afterward?
    Thanks for another interesting idea. :-)

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    1. Hi Carole- I usually make a "sandwich"...I place the resist-covered and painted fabric between two pressing cloths and iron half the paint setting time on one side, flip the "sandwich" over to iron the rest of the time. I don't find that it makes getting the resist off more difficult (I usually soak it in soapy water). You could also put the the resist-covered and painted fabric in an old pillow case. Close it with a rubber band and put in a dryer for 50 minutes.

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    2. The dryer is my favourite heat-setting tool, so I'm glad you have figured out how to make it work. :-) Thanks for the tips!

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  9. Thanks for giving me two new fun things to try...and incentive to clean off my work space so I can experiment.

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  10. Another terrific idea. I'll be trying this as soon as I finish my office clean today.

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  11. Last night at a large second hand store (Value Village) hanging on the wall mixed in with bags of all sorts of stuff, was a large selection of used and unused fabric paints. You can bet I'm going back there today!!! I love this idea of using WORDS! Gosh this is neat. Norma p.s. thanks for the instructions and inspiration!! :)

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  12. I agree with carolegoldquilts, do you flip the fabric over and iron on the non paste side to heat set? But, yes, It seems like a brilliant way to create unique markings and I will definitely try this one.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Deb- look at my reply to carolegoldquilts for how to set.

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  13. Am I too late to enter, I can never work out the time differences!

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    1. No, not too late! I'll put your name in for the giveaway.

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  14. So cool Julie and the result is such a pretty scarf.

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