Sunday, February 1, 2015

Join the Tour! The Fabric Printing at Home Blog Tour Starts Today!




Welcome to Day #1 of the Fabric Printing at Home Blog Tour

So what’s this all about? I want to give you fourteen opportunities to win a copy of my new book, Fabric Printing at Home: Quick and Easy Fabric Design Using Fresh Produce and Found Objects!

The next two weeks are sure to be a blast…Each day of the Tour, I’ll share thoughts on some of my favorite tools and materials, provide surface design tips, or play around with some Valentine’s Day-themed projects using techniques from my book.  I’ll also introduce you to thirteen of my fiber friends…you’re sure to recognize their names! (see the list below). Each day of the Tour, you’ll have the opportunity to visit with one of these superb fiber artists. Hop on over to their blogs on the dates listed, leave a comment on their Fabric Printing at Home Blog Tour post and you’ll be eligible to win a free book copy!

Be sure to stop by here and leave a comment every day through February 1-14, because in addition to giving away a copy of my book, Fabric Printing at Home (at the end of the Tour), I’ll also be giving away daily “door” prizes!

So spread the word… to Join the Tour…it’s definitely the place to be!

The Basic Tool Kit
Whether you’re new to surface design on fabric techniques or consider yourself a pro, it’s important to assemble the “must have” tools and materials you need to work.

In Chapter 1: Getting Started, I put together a list I like to call my Basic Tool Kit. Here are some of the things on the list: 

  • Padded portable work surfaces (my answer to everyone’s work space dilemma!)
  • Prepared for Dyeing Cotton or pre-washed 100% cotton fabrics (have an extra piece for a wipe-up cloth)
  • Masking tape
  • Fabric paints (I like to use Pebeo Setacolor) in both transparent and opaque colors
  • Small plastic containers for holding paint 
  • Plastic spoons or palette knives for mixing and spooning out paint
  • Foam brushes and bristle brushes
  • Foam daubers ( a neat little tool that’s easy to make)
  • Water container (and access to water)
  • Containers (recycled!) to hold your brushes, spoons etc.
  • Plant mister or spray bottle
  • Dense foam brayers (I use Rollrite)
  • Glass or plexi-glass palettes
  • Paper towels .

In addition, I couldn’t do without my cutting and measuring and marking tools: a craft knife (I use X-acto  brand with #11 blades), rotary cutter, lots of scissors including: fabric scissors (hands off!), utility scissors, and small sharp scissors, linoleum cutting tool and tips, a self-healing cutting mat, a clear plastic gridded ruler (I use a 24” one), measuring tape, disappearing marker, permanent markers, graphite pencils, and tracing paper. Oh yes…and don’t forget the iron and ironing board!

Having these tools and materials on hand is certainly a great start to working with the “kitchen potential” surface design techniques I cover in Fabric Printing at Home.

What would you put in your surface design tool kit? Leave a comment below and have a chance to win today’s prize (and it’s a good one!)….my favorite type of brayer (roller) for applying uniform coats of fabric paint to print blocks…a Rollrite dense foam brayer! 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 FreshProduce and Found Objects.


Be sure to stop by tomorrow when I announce the winner of today’s drawing and introduce the very “clever” Lisa Chin!

Visit my “fab” fiber friends on these dates to be eligible to win a copy of Fabric Printing at Home:

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 10: Deborah Boschert
February 11: Lynda Heines
February 12: Cheryl Sleboda
February 13: Terri Stegmiller
February 14: Jackie Lams







24 comments:

  1. Thickened dyes is where I start, since I prefer dyes to paint. Looking forward to seeing how I can use them with found objects!

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  2. Your book would provide hours and hours of fun! Would love to win it!

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  3. I use a clean foam meat tray as a palette.

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    1. Congrats Elizabeth...you are the winner of the Rollrite Foam Brayer...please contact me so I can send it to you (threadborn@cox.net)

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    2. Thank you, I am excited to win a prize.

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  4. Your list of tools sounds perfect! I would add stencil plastic and commercial stencils to my tool kit. Thanks for this fun giveaway! This book looks awesome!

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  5. I have a lot of tools that I like, but I wouldn't want to be without my sequin waste. I love all the little dots in neat little rows

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  6. I would include a great resource book in my kit! Sometimes, in the middle of things, it's handy to have a reference nearby to help with those "drawing a blank" moments!

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  7. Good luck with your new book, I can't wait to read it.

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  8. I would not leave home as the saying goes without toothpicks and Q-tips. For dot making, and using the toothpick for laying flat and rolling to disperse medium on a surface. Q-tips for picking up bits, and mark-making. Love the journey you are taking us on! Thanks! Norma

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  9. I have a whole drawer of collected texture making materials. I like to have them handy.

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  10. I am constantly on the lookout for interesting items in second hand stores to print with including old fashioned kitchen tools, plastic items and recycled items. And I love to use textured pieces of cork as well.

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  11. Wonderful book and a great class!
    Jan

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  12. Loved your class this weekend!
    Jan

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  13. Don't forget the toothbrushes for clean up! Marcia Coling

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  14. I love plastic wrap. Can be used for printing and so much more.

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  15. Time for me to get back into this after a long hiatus. Need to take inventory here soon!

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  16. Thanks for all your comments! You all have some great and imaginative ideas for the "tools" for your surface design tool kit! I look forward to testing some of them out. A winner for the Rollrite brayer was chosen and announced in Day #2 of the Blog Tour. Please note that I will be choosing giveaway winners at 11 PM eastern USA time.

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  17. I'm totally in love with my little 3" x 5" gelli plate at the moment, using it to build up textures. Also, the net that clementines comes in in supermarkets makes a great mesh texture.

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  18. Can't wait to see your wonderful book, Julie!

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  19. I used the brim of a straw hat once--interesting.

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  20. i have a sqeegie thingee! churcae(at)auburn(dot)edu

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