Arty & Crafty question!

BWZN93

Evening all!

Ok - I was going to buy some lovely fabric on ebay to make some bolster cushions with, but got outbid at the last minute and now cant find anything that I like. I then had an idea - If I was to buy a rubber stamp (the kind used for rubber stamping things!) in a very nice design ive found - is it feasable to presume that I could use a fabric paint with the stamp and print on fabric?? Has anyone ever done anything like this and if so, can you give me some hints and tips?

Thanks in advance!

Jo xx

LizD_2

Hi

that should be fine, depending on the fabric. Natural fabrics (Silk, cotton etc) generally take any dye well. you may find it more difficult with synthetic fabric.

Depending what kind of look you want, fabric pens work very well. Just colour the stamp, then print. try a couple of test pieces to make sure the coverage is even.

Alternatively, use a dye-based stamp pad (they come in a whole rainbow of colours). remember to iron the fabric to set the colour and wash on a cool temperature to prevent running.

Let us know how you get on

ChocClare

Depending on the design you've chosen, you may want to make sure it's laid out properly...

For example, your first "row" of stamping might go stamp, space, stamp, space, stamp.

Second row should go space, stamp, space, stamp, space.

Third row should go back to stamp, space, stamp, space, stamp.

Alternating, that's the word I'm groping for!!

I know it's probably obvious, but if you want to avoid odd looking blank bits or overcrowded stamped bits, this is honestly the best way to go about it. Also, measure the stamp, think of it as a square, and work out how much room it takes up. This way you'll know how far in to start your stamping so that, again, you don't end up with a bit at the far end of your material which is too small for a whole stamp, but looks odd unstamped. It might even be a better idea to cut out your material for your bolster first, mark with pins where your seams are going to be, and stamp accordingly so you don't end up with two half-stamps meeting on a seam just slightly misaligned!

You're probably thinking, what IS she blithering on about, so I'll stop now...

Best of luck with it!

Pink.

ChocClare wrote:

You're probably thinking, what IS she blithering on about, so I'll stop now...

I know what you're talking about ChocClare.

I made my son a wise man's outfit one Christmas (out of two Primark pillowcases...one as a gown and the other as a cloak) using home made potato prints. I learned fast that it's best to practice your pattern on a bit of paper before doing it on the fabric.

Good luck with it Jo.

Pink

troll35

I've used both pre-made stamps and home-shaped potato with fabric paints. My best results have been reproducing the pattern on our bathroom tiles onto a plain white shower curtain (gold diamonds in a grey and white rectangle). I was really proud of myself. The curtain cost £5, fabric paints approx £3 and the finished result looked splendid. You definitely have to try it out on paper first though!!