FABRIC PAINTING TECHNIQUES

FABRIC: For best results, fabric painting is best done on tightly woven cotton, cotton/polyester blends and denim. Synthetics are an option and velvet is great too!

PRE-WASHING: To give out good fabric painting techniques advice you have to have made the mistakes. And we have!!! :o) So let there be no doubt, you really DO have to pre-wash the fabric.

Here's why; if the fabric is new, washing it will remove the "sizing". If the fabric is used, washing it will remove any fabric softeners. On that note, do not use fabric softener in the wash nor in the dryer. The chemicals used in the softeners interfere with the adhesion of the paint.

IRONING: Not a pleasant chore, but do take a moment to iron out stubborn wrinkles before you start your project.

BRUSHES: To achieve great results it's best to use fabric painting brushes. These are stiff and are intended to be used to scrub the paint into the fabric. Fabric painting techniques and methods will vary from project to project, and you may also end up using some of your old, stiff flat brushes or some other "wrecked" brushes if you have them.

WORK SURFACE: Obviously you'll need to clear off and clean a table large enough to accommodate the project and your supplies.

Here are some fabric painting techniques and suggestions that are environmentally friendly!

Styrofoam meat trays can be used between layers of fabric to keep paint from bleeding through. We keep stacks of washed meat trays for all sorts of purposes!

Another surface you'll need is waxed paper. It's used in the same way as the foam meat trays.

SUPPLIES: Besides the brushes, corrugated cardboard and wax paper, you may need a few more supplies.

To hold the fabric in place while you're painting, use quilting pins or "T" pins.

You may need chalk pencils in white for dark fabrics and grey or black for lighter colored fabrics.

You'll need a water container, paper towel and perhaps a spray bottle. Obviously you'll need fabric paint and/or fabric painting medium.

That's pretty much it for the basics. In the meantime we are writing up much more detailed information and project ideas on the topics listed below.

Just follow the highlighted links for more information.

ACRYLIC FABRIC PAINT

FABRIC PAINTING MEDIUM

FABRIC PAINTING DESIGN

REMOVING FABRIC PAINT

SPRAY PAINT FOR FABRIC

FABRIC PAINT PEN

Transferring the design.

Here’s a very simple method:

First you need a photocopy or tracing. Then you need to figure out the placement of your design.

Use a chalk pencil and draw over the lines on the *back* of the tracing or photocopy.

A quick tip: If you're having trouble seeing the lines, flip your design over and tape it to a window during daylight. This gives you an instant “light box”. Makes it easy to see the lines.

Lay your pattern, chalk side down, onto your fabric. Next, useyour thumbnail to re-trace over the lines and this will transfer the chalk to your fabric surface. No fancy equipment or high tech stuff needed here!

Painting the design.

The main difference is that it takes a little more effort to work the paint into the surface. An advantage here, though, is that the paint generally stays wet longer. Giving you a chance to blend much easier.

As an example, let’s consider painting one of the leaves for a pretty, floral design. Start by painting in the main color of the leaf with a stiff fabric painting brush.

It’s easy now to pick up a darker fabric paint color and scrub in some shading, and then a lighter color to scrub in a highlight.

If you need more information on fabric painting techniques, please contact us right here.

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