I just happened to stop by Blick’s art store – well, really it was on my list of places to go – to pick up some bleeding tissue. I had seen a really neat technique that used it and wanted to try it. But when I got the paper, there were so many beautiful colors I wanted to try something else first.
I wondered how it would work on fabric.
I wet the piece of fabric and put it in a plastic pan to keep my work area dry.
I placed torn pieces of tissue on the fabric, continuing to spray the tissue and tapping with brush. Brush isn’t needed but wanted to use it instead of my fingers.
Now I needed to let the fabric dry. Once it was I could pick the chips of tissue from the fabric. I then ironed it and rinsed it in cold water in the sink. I did lose some color doing that. I hung to dry and ironed it. Here are the finished two pieces.
Okay, but there are much better ways to get better color on fabric. It was worth a try, but I probably won’t do that again.
So let’s try on paper – specifically watercolor paper. Since this was going to be pretty wet I went with the Strathmore 140 pound watercolor paper.
I wet the watercolor paper and then added the tissue. I sprayed and continued to add more of the same color tissue to areas hoping to achieve dark colors.
Now to wait until it dries. This is how it turned out.
Wow! I was pretty excited and surprised with the white areas. Here is another watercolor paper I did.
So what I’ve discovered is that this bleeding tissue does great on paper, but not worth the time on fabric. This technique makes a great background for a journal page or any project you want to have a colorful page.
Be sure to use bleeding tissue which can be found in art and craft stores. Regular tissue will not work. Also, working in a container keeps the work surface dry. This paper will stain your hands so make sure you have an art cloth or paper towel near by to wipe off you fingers.
What a fun way to add color to pages. I’ll share the other technique with this tissue on another post.
Oh, I’m left with all these beautiful pieces of tissue to add to another project.
Ah, another day!
Wow, the watercolor paper turned out beautiful. Did you try to leave the white spaces by leaving folds or did you let them happen on their own? Too bad the fabric didn’t turn out a little more intense.
Eileen,
No, I didn’t leave white space or at least I didn’t think I did. Thanks. I really thought the paper turned out great. Thanks for stopping by.
Lynda, this is absolutely stunning on the watercolor paper. I’m with you on not worth the time on cloth, although the orange piece is nice. And I love the fact of all the pieces left to use in collage. I bought this paper a long time ago, but have not done anything with it. Thanks for sharing your experiment.
I really like the outcome on both fabric and paper. I reckon I might try both versions soon, as I am pretty impressed with the results of what might jolly well be the easiest craft on earth- something I am certain the kids will enjoy just as much as me!
Steff, I’d love to see what you do with it. And it is really easy.
Kathy, Thanks! I’d love to see what you do with it. I was quite amazed with my results.
when you apply the color onto fabric, don’t wash it afterwards and use it in projects that won’t be washed. let the color bleed onto the fabric, remove the paper when the fabric is stil wet. choose some nice shapes like finely cut leaves, star shaped sequins, rice or whatever you can think of and spread it out onto the wet fabric. put this into bright, hot sunlight and leave to dry. result: sunprint.
I have had crepe paper streamers bleed all over me and stain my skin really bad (yikes!) when I was younger – I bet they would work too! Great idea! I’m looking for an excuse to try it!
Cobi, I thought about not washing it but was concerned about the colors rubbing off. Good idea about the sun printing – I enjoy doing that and will be experimenting with that again this summer. Thanks for your suggetions and dropping by.
I thought the fabric looked cool. I would totally use that kind of thing in one of my sewing projects. I hadn’t seen bleeding tissue paper before. Sheltered life, and all. Anyway, is that really different from regular tissue paper?
Lynda,
I was disappointed that the fabric was so light, but I did lose alot of color with washing it. Yes, it is different. It will say on the package bleeding tissue.
Jessie, crepe paper streamers would probably work too. I, too, remember them getting wet a bleeding all over me! Thanks for the memory!!
Lynda
I had totally forgotten about bleeding tissue. Thanks for this great tutorial.
Tammy, Thank you for stopping by!
I’ve seen this technique used with kids to “tie-dye” shirts – I think I will still give it a try for a not-too-messy craft with the kiddos.
I LOVE how the paper turned out. So bright and cheery. 🙂
Megan, It is still kind of messy but the kids would love it! Thanks for dropping by.
I can see the kids making their own paper and using it to write Mother’s Day or Father’s Day notes on! Also would be great to make sheets and use on coasters…I can think of several ways to use this idea. Thanks a bunch!!!
Nola, Great ideas! I like the idea of coasters. Thanks for commenting.
this might be a stupid question…but would it work on a canvas or wouldn’t it soak in? (I’ve never used any canvas for anything in my life) – but think this would be cool on it.
(we’ll have to try it with shirts outside if it’s a little messy yet… 🙂 )
Megan, I really don’t know. However, I would think the color would be light. You might want to try ice or snow dyeing. I did snow dyeing on canvas and it turned out beautiful. See it here.
Hi Lyndah, this is my first time on your blog. I came here through Craft Gossip..what a great idea working with the bleeding tissue. I was wondering if you rinse it in salt water first to set the color would keep the colors from fading so much…but it’s a pretty pastel fabric that you ended up with…am going to try it on a t shirt…your technique reminds me of the tie-dye we used to do..thanks for the tute..
Barb, Never thought about soaking in salt water. Try it. It’s fun! Thanks for dropping by. You might check out my Craft tab at top of blog for other crafty tuts.
Love this idea! I did like the fabric, though I wonder if the colors would remain more vibrant if it were treated ahead of time (much like tie-dye projects) by soaking it in a soda ash and water solution? Definitely going to try this with the little ones I babysit!
Lauren, I don’t know but there are so many other ways to get vibrant colors. Have you check out my post on Color Hue Dyes? Great with kids and no prep but it’s for silks, wool, rayon and linen. Here is the link:https://lyndaheines.blog/2012/07/dyeing-with-colorhue/ or try the Sharpie Markers dyeing with the kiddos: https://lyndaheines.blog/2012/07/how-to-sharpie-dyed-visor/
Thanks for dropping by and commenting.
When I was a kid we used to make crepe paper Easter eggs. Take scraps of the paper (two colors overlapped a bit works best, but no more than three colors or it turns black), wrap a hot, boiled egg and quickly run under a bit of water running from the faucet. Make sure all the paper gets wet. Kinds of cup the egg in both hands to get the wet paper to touch the egg all over so you don’t have big white spots. The paper should be crumpled not smooth to get the best affect. Let sit for a minute or two. Carefully unwrap the wet paper from the egg. Be careful or the wet paper will smudge on the egg as you unwrap it. Let the eggs dry completely. If I remember right, my mom used to rub vinegar over the dry eggs to make them shine.
The eggs are so beautiful! We would save the prettiest ones each year. My mom still puts them out at Easter in beautiful crystal bowls.
One more thing: Remember to use rubber gloves and cover counter tops, etc with lots of newspaper! You will get dye everywhere if you aren’t careful.
Oh Joanie, You brought back memories I had forgotten!! Thanks so much. And thanks for dropping by.
My preschoolers made beautiful silk scarves for Mother’s Day using bleeding tissue paper on silk. We sprayed the tissue paper with lemon juice and ironed them when they were dry. The colors were very vibrant. Love the paper and will try this soon!
Kate, What a fun project for the kids. Very interesting. Thanks for dropping by.
Wow – thanks for the tutorial – love the look of this – I think crepe paper that is used to make streamers would also work on this technique.
Blessings
Maxine
Maxine, what a great idea! Those streamers would probably work great. Thanks for dropping by.
I love using bleeding tissue paper. Shared your idea here http://siayla.blogspot.ca/2014/02/got-paint-try-painting-with-out-typical.html
Brooke (siayla) recently posted..Matryoshka Nesting Doll Crafts and more
Hi, Thanks for sharing a link to that post. Did you see my post on spinner art with that spin machine? https://lyndaheines.blog/2011/01/spinner-fabric-art/ and a short video using sharpies on both paper and fabric https://lyndaheines.blog/2012/09/sharpie-spin-art/
Thanks for dropping by and sharing my post. Have a great day!
Do you let the tissue paper dry on the paper before taking it off, or do you take the tissue paper off wet?
Jessie, Yes, I let the tissue paper dry and let the paper (or fabric) dry before I remove the tissue paper. Thanks for dropping by.
If you mix your water with an equal amount of vinegar, spray your paper (on fabric) and let it sit until it dries your colors will be brighter. If you want to speed up the process use your blow dryer to dry it. Then just peel paper off fabric, rinse with plain water and dry again with blow dryer or hang to dry. You can then press with iron.
Lynne, Thank you so much for that tip!
Wow! This is a great technique! I’ve never heard of bleeding tissue. Just love the rainbow effect that you got! I’ll have to see if we have such a thing her in Canada next time I go to an art store for supplies. Many thanks 🙂
Ryn, Thanks. It’s been quite a while since I’ve played with the tissue. I’ve been thinking about digging it out and seeing what I could do with it now. Thanks for dropping by.
I like the bleeding tissue paper and I have been experimenting with it myself. I think your pieces would look great with a black silhouette of a horizon line and a tree in the foreground. I’m going to try it!
I saw this on Pinterest. I’ve never heard of bleeding tissue, but it’s beautiful!
Pam, Thanks!
Did you take off the watercolored papier & the tissue when it dried ?
Erica, When the tissue paper dries you remove it from the watercolor paper just like I removed it from the fabric. The colors show up much nicer on the watercolor paper.
Looks great!
Is there a difference between normal tissue paper and bleeding tissue paper cause the paper I got ain’t bleeding at all????
Susan, Yes, there is a difference. You need to buy tissue that is bleeding tissue. You can buy it at Blicks if you have one where you live. It also might be available at your local craft stores. Goggle Bleeding Tissue to buy online.
I’m interested in trying to make this process work on linen fabric. Maybe use of Retayne, a fabric liquid used to hold due to fabric.
Carrie, I have no idea and maybe that would work. However, there are so many other great and easy ways to add color to fabric.