Friday, May 31, 2013

Leaf Pounding on Textiles

May 31st 2013

Sorry folks! It has been a while since I have been able to update my blog. Recently, I have been exploring stamping on textiles to see what works best. Stamping on fabric is much different than stamping on paper because of how the fabric moves. You want the stamp to both be attractive and be able to move with the fabric and not stretch out.


Sticking with the organic and natural feel of my current endeavors, I decided to attempt to pound various plants onto fabrics to see how this would work out. Pounding is a great way to transfer natural colors onto fabrics. My first pounding attempt was with a pretty blue flower called a spider wart. I used a piece of cotton knit fabric and proceeded to try a couple pounding techniques. As with all my pounding projects, I placed the flower between two pieces of fabric. My first attempt was with a rubber mallet, which did not work for me. The color did not transfer. I then used a small rubber hammer, which transferred small crescent shapes. The larger hedge hammer worked the best for me. I made swift, short taps, and outlined the flower to transfer the color. The color was successfully transferred but the shape is a little distorted.


Spider wart Flower
Spider wart flower pounding




My next attempt at pounding was with a Red Bud leaf. I placed the leaf between two textiles and pounded it with the larger hammer, with small, swift strokes. The color and shape came out very well.

Red wood leaf
Red wood leaf pound
Here is another experiment with some leaves I found outdoors. Hey, if anyone knows what they are, give me a shout out! I'm still trying to figure it out. I pounded them both on a knit piece of fabric and on top of one of my pink onesies that I dyed using... Can you guess? Fern leaves!

Leaf pounding

Fern dyed onsie with leaf pounding


My last pounding attempt was with a miniature lilac stem from a bush. I used the same techniques for the pounding as before and also placed it on a fern dyed onesie.

Lilac pounded design on fern dyed onsie



So, how well do these natural stamps hold up you might ask? Well, I tried washing all of the garments and fabric clips after I finished them and believe it or not, the stamps stuck! This is a fun activity for you and your kids to try. You can make your own, nature inspired, stamped clothes at home. So go outside, pick a leaf or flower that intrigues you, and give it a shot.













Little b's little model: Hyacinth dyed onesie with fabric paint stamp

Just wanted to share a picture of my inspiration for my onsesie creation adventure! Here is my Grandson, Erich, modeling one of my hyacinth dyed onesies with a bicycle stamp.

I used a wooden handle stamp, a little sponge, and a black fabric paint. I sponged the paint on the stamp and then transferred the stamp onto the onesie. See my previous blog, on May 23rd 2013 about how to stamp garments. This onesie was washed and the color and stamp stayed.

What do you guys think of fabric paints?

Baby Erich in his onesie

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Learning to Stamp

May 23rd, 2013



A lot has happened since my last blog.  Like the picture to the left, the recent addition of some stamps and products has led to some experimenting!  I discovered that too much paint on the stamp left a sloppy image.  After several tries, I found that using a sponge to apply the paint to the stamp worked the best.  You get a nice image this way.



I have also been experimenting with the removal of color.  The piece to the right has been stamped with a paint that is supposed to disappear when ironed and washed.  It has been ironed, but not washed so I can't say it will disappear, but I will let you know.







These two pictures show a bee stamp that was sponged with a product to remove color.  If you look closely, the one above shows the outline of the bee before ironing.  After being pressed, the image of the bee appears!









Look at this beautiful color!  It was achieved with hyacinth flowers.  It's so fun to see what you get depending on what you use.  The final outcome is below.  I love it!






Thursday, May 16, 2013

Here Come the Supplies!

May 16th, 2013



The dyes are in and I can't wait to start!  The only problem is that I don't have the clothing yet.  I've learned that in order to get a demo garment to look at, you need to provide your tax or business ID and other state tax information related to your business.  It seems like there are a lot of forms to fill out and I still don't know if I have everything.  I guess I'll have to call and see if there is anything else I need. Soooo much to learn...........




I do have a couple of samples coming, but in the mean time I can experiment with squares of fabric.  One of the books I just received with the dyes calls for everything in metric, so I ordered a couple of other things:



Once everything comes in, this is what I hope to have cooking in my garage; beautiful isn't it?


Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Learning as I go....

May 7th, 2013









One of the reasons I started this blog was to record my progress, or lack thereof.  I realize as I continue to venture into the unknown, mistakes will be made.  Like the one I just learned about.  The subject of mordants seems to be vaguely confusing.  Case in point, the garments recently dyed with red tulips looked soooo pretty when I took them out of the dye bath.  My short-lived admiration turned to dismay when the beautiful color washed right down the sink and out of the garment.  What went wrong?  I scoured the onesies, then added the alum in the dye bath.  That got me thinking about the product I was using (alum).  One of my books said to use potassium aluminum sulfate.  The product I was using was simply labelled alum from the spice section in any grocery store.  Upon further investigation from the company of this product, I learned that the full name (not found on the label) was ammonium aluminum sulfate.  Ah hah!  Maybe this was the problem.  I also read that I should be adding cream of tartar.  I will do this with my next dye batch.  Right now I am waiting for my designated dye pot to come.  I will keep you posted!