Hand Painting on Fabric (part 2)

Instructions

  1. Use strips of masking tape to frame the image where you want the solid block of colour to stop.

  2. Look at the image and choose one or two separated shapes within the framed area. Moisten (do not saturate) these shapes with water.

  3. Brush fabric paint into the moistened area. Several colours can be dropped in and allowed to merge. Take care not to have too much watery paint on your brush as this can cause the paint to bleed beyond the edges.

  4. Dry the area with a hair dryer or leave in the sunshine to air dry naturally.

  5. Choose your next separated areas and paint these, gradually painting the whole image. Remember to dry off each area as you go.

  6. Once you are happy with your painting, dry and heat-set the fabric paint, (remembering to take off the masking tape first!). This is usually done by placing a piece of Glad bake paper over the painted area, then ironing for 2-3 minutes. (Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.)

Threads:

At this stage, I adhered a piece of iron-on Pellon to the wrong side of my design. I stitched around the trees, animals and rocks. I then stitched the lines along the top of each band of colour, matching my thread colour to that band. An alternative would be to paint or stitch the lines, in gold.

Hints:

  • Colour can be lightened by blotting the damp area with a paper towel or tissue.
  • Colour can be taken out by swabbing the area with a damp sponge or a damp wad of fabric.
  • If you are not particularly happy with an area of your painting, it can be hand-or machine-embroidered over. You could also appliqué over it or add tulle* or machine-lace (textured threads).
    *Do not add fabrics which melt or distort with heat, until you have heat-set your fabric paint.