Last weekend, in addition to those handkerchiefs, I also sun printed some fabric.
This is so much fun and so easy! I used muslin yardage for this project, but you could also use most any piece of clothing you have in your closet. These paints work on all natural and “most” synthetic fabrics.
Setacolor Transparent paints are what I’ve used to create these designs. You can purchase them from your local arts store or online. For sunprinting be sure you buy the transparent paint and paint on white or light-colored fabric.
All you need for sun painting fabric is the Setacolor Transparents, jars, water, and sponge brushes.
Pour some of the Setacolor into each jar, adding as much water as you’d like. The more water, the lighter the color.
Before mixing you paint, soak your fabric in water. It doesn’t have to be cold or hot water – just get the fabric wet.
Cover your work table with plastic, then wring out your fabric and spread the wet cloth on the plastic. Last weekend I found out that it’s a good idea to use a clear or white plastic cover on the table. I had a hard time seeing my colors with that red striped plastic in the background!
Then just paint to your heart’s content! For the fern fabric I picked fern leaves from the shade garden and placed them on top of the fabric after I painted it and while it was still wet.
I painted over the ferns to adhere them to the fabric.
For the other piece I used needlepoint canvas for masks.
Then put them out in the sun (my table was already in the sun) and wait for them to dry. Once dry remove the masks. Heat set by ironing the dry fabric and you are done!
Another photo of this piece of material.
I’ve tried sun printing with regular fabric paints, but the colors were not as vibrant as the Setacolors. Also these paints do not change the “hand” or feel of the fabric. I have a lovely white shirt jacket I bought several years ago to wear in the summer. However, because it is white, I rarely reach for it. This summer it will be a different color (or colors)!
This technique is really easy. You don’t have to prep the fabric and the results are fabulous. If you’ve wanted to try sun printing fabric, this is the way to go.
Cool post.. I will definitely try this, though it doesn’t look so easy,hehe… But that fabric looks really awesome, hope i could do it perfectly, thanks for sharing! 😀
Aubrey, It is soooo easy! And it’s not about perfect!
This is wonderful! I love everything about it. The colours, the the fabric, the ferns! Thanks for the tutorial, as well. You do make it look not only easy, but so much fun and so satisfying…not to mention very inspiring. Thanks for sharing, and have a lovely weekend.
June, Thanks for your kind words. It is really easy! Thanks for dropping by.
The ferns turned out soooo well! I love sunprinting…now if we could only get some sun 😉
Cyndi L recently posted..Kimura Fabrics
Cyndi, I know what you mean! Looks like we may have a sunny day today. Looking forward to seeing what you make with your fabric from Hawaii!
lovely….I also like the Setacolor paints best
Marsha recently posted..bloglovin
Marsha, I need to do this again. It was so much fun and so easy.
I like your presentation. Have you ever sun-printed by placing ferns etc under the fabric as well as over? I did and it was a lovely soft effect.
Daphne, what a great idea! No, I’ve never tried that but I will next spring. Thanks for the idea.
Your pieces are beautiful! Thank you for introducing me to what seems like a fun art with beautiful results. By chance, do you have any suggestions how I might do a pillow case? Will the paint seaport through so that both sides are painted at once or not really? Thanks!
Renee, You are so welcome! For the pillowcase, you could put a piece of plastic covered cardboard inside and just do one side at a time but you will need to heat set the paint before you do the other side. Or you could just sun print as one piece. The paint will go through to the back, but you won’t have any design on the back. I’ve not done this but would think the color won’t be as bright as the front since you’re going through two pieces of fabric. I’d love to see your results!