Let your creativity really soar by creating your own fabric prints. Don't settle for the very same colors and prints of ready-to-wear that you'll see on other people over and over again. Making your own fabric prints is easy and fun. Read on to learn make your own fabric prints.
Instructions
1. Wash and dry your garment or sewing material exactly as you'll care for the garment in the future--if you're going to wash it on gentle and dry it on permanent press, for example, then do this first. Laundering it in this manner will prolong the life of your garment and also get the sizing out of the fibers so the dye, crayon or paint can be absorbed.
2. If you want an all-over background color, follow the directions on the back of the box of dye powder. Remember the longer you let your material or garment 'steep' in its dye bath, the more intense and darker the background color will be. Put on your rubber gloves to protect your hands and remove the material or garment from the dye bath. Run cool water in the other tub, and put the newly-dyed material or garment into the cool water. Carefully discard the dye; or, if you want to use that color on other garments or material later in the day, save it in a large, clean plastic or glass jug. Rinse the material or garment, transfer it to the other tub of clean water, and this time add the vinegar to the water. Thoroughly rinse the garment or material in the water and vinegar mixture. Now re-wash and dry your material or garment, adding a cup of vinegar to the rinse water to keep the newly-dyed fabric from 'bleeding.'
3. Next, using the soft lead pencil, sketch the print you have in mind directly on the fabric. If you want swirls, or dots or beetles marching in a line, draw them. It's your design. Use crayons if you want, and color in portions of your design. "Scrub'" the crayon into the fabric for a full, rich color. Then place the material or garment between two sheets of brown paper, just like a sandwich. Iron the top sheet of brown paper, pressing down firmly. Let the item cool, and carefully lift up the paper to check your design. Keep ironing small areas until you have the entire design 'melted' into the fibers of the material or garment. You've just finished your own fabric print that's truly one-of-a-kind.
4. Rather use stamps and acrylic paint? Then either dye the background or leave it the original color, and start with your first stamp design. Paint the stamp areas you've chosen with a light coat of fabric paint, and press it firmly onto the material or garment. So you don't accidentally smear the paint or pick up the wrong stamp, use one stamp and one color as many times as you want on the material or garment, then lay it aside and let the paint dry thoroughly. Repeat with your second stamp and second color of fabric paint, and let everything dry thoroughly again. Finish with your last stamp and color and once again, let the material or garment dry. You'll never see that particular piece of fabric print on anyone else.
5. Combine all the steps above to completely cover the original fabric color and create your own totally unique fabric print. Congratulations--you've just joined the ranks of the legendary designers, most of whom would never, ever use a print that someone else could find or use. Now wear and truly enjoy displaying your special creativity to all who are going to admire your latest creation.
