Monday 13 January 2014

How To Paint On Fabric


Hello Friends!
I told you several days ago that I was going to show you how I painted on fabric for our sewing room/office curtain.

First, you'll have to visualise the above photo unpainted because I forgot to get a before photo.
Sorry.


 







I wanted to do this fabric painting project NOW, so I racked by brain trying to come up with what I might have at home that could work.
I have craft paints on hand, but I didn't want a stiff painted finish for the curtains. 
Then I came up with the idea of using food colouring .
I first cut fabric strips for experimenting with the right balance of the dye and water mixture.

When I discovered that I didn't have any red food colouring I decided to use beet juice.
And it worked beautifully!
I believe can thank Ma Ingalls from "Little House on the Prairie"  for this little tidbit of knowledge:)







Honestly I was surprised that the colours worked out to be exactly what I was wanting to achieve for this project.
The pale red and blue were simply diluted.
The lime green, which looks more yellow here, was a mix of yellow and green together.
I applied it to the fabric with a craft paint brush, being very careful to stay within the lines of the postal pattern on the curtains.
 I also placed a plastic barrier underneath the fabric to protect the surface it was lying on.
This is a must!

Now this is all experimental on my part...
But I figured that you don't know until you try, right?

 Since I was worried that the dye would run after washing I sprayed the painted areas with an acrylic coating to seal them.
I feel pretty confident this won't wash out.
At least I hope not!
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I will be back to share with you how it looks once it is hanging.
I want to paint the window's trim first.
Oh yes, another project!

Please join me as party here:



17 comments:

  1. You are quite ingenious! Beautiful work and can't wait to see the final result!

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is really neat! It turned out very well! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. You are so creative and got such a great result! I don't know if I'm that brave...but it looks like fun! Enjoy your week!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Kimberly, I like your new header! It looks great. And the curtains are really sweet. I can't believe you dyed certain parts. That is so cool. The fabric is really cute too. I'm guessing you have your computer back? How are your grandsons? I hope they are both recovering well. Hugs. Pam

    ReplyDelete
  5. That is just beautiful Kimberly! I have experimented a little bit with natural dyes (beet juice and others), I think if you throw some salt in the wash and wash on cold water the colors should set. Of course I don't know how the food coloring will work, it sure seems to stain clothing well enough, lol! But the salt acts as a mordant and sets the dye more permanently.

    ReplyDelete
  6. WOW!! I am soo impressed...you are soo creative and so innovative. I never would have thought to do such a thing. And it looks soo good! Can't wait to see the curtains hanging. Enjoy your day!

    ReplyDelete
  7. now that is something I have never done -- now you got me thinking of another project..
    Super great look - I like what you ave done... writing the words nice hand writing..
    Can't wait to see the curtains done and in place..

    Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love the fabric and the pops of color are fabulous! Great idea! Thanks for sharing it with us. Can't wait to see them hanging.
    hugs,
    Jann

    ReplyDelete
  9. Well aren't you clever! I am eager to see them hung.

    ReplyDelete
  10. WHAT fun! I love it and you did a great job. Can't wait to see it hung up!!! xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow---that is SUPER. You are so talented. I'm sure they look GREAT once they are hanging. Can't wait to see another photo then.

    Congrats.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  12. I loved that you used beet juice. What would we do without Ma. I think you have such great ideas. I can't wait to see them hung up.
    What I could see looks amazing.
    No, there will always be projects.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I want to know more. :-) Amazing! I just love how it looks from what you showed us.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Show stopper! This is amazing.
    Great ingenuity, too.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Beautiful job! Can't wait to see them hung up. What's the next project going to be?

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow, you are so clever, amazing job...too cute.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow, you are so clever, amazing job...too cute.

    ReplyDelete

All of your comments are read and much appreciated.
You are dear and lovely friends!