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The Sew What’s New Archive

This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was retired in August 2007. It is being provided by “Sew What’s Up,” which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: HeatherL
Date: 05-03-2005, 11:00 PM (1 of 11)
I recently picked up a book of kid-design transfers. They're great--they can be used as templates for appliques or embroidery, stenciling or painting. I'd like to paint one of the designs on the back of a child's denim jacket. My question is...what kind of paint should I use for clothing? Would a plain acrylic be a bad idea? It seems that "fabric paints" is limited to those damned squeeze bottles (which I simply CANNOT control neatly!). Should I use those with a paintbrush, or are there other products out there? What should I use??
User: HeatherL
Member since: 03-13-2004
Total posts: 102
From: Hogmami
Date: 05-03-2005, 11:05 PM (2 of 11)
If I was you, I would go to a fabric/craft store and look at all the different painting products. I have done some painting on fabric and have always used fabric paint. There are many different kinds out there. I have used the ones in the little bottles by putting the paint on a paper plate and used a stencil brush.
Carolyn
Michigan
User: Hogmami
Member since: 09-30-2004
Total posts: 800
From: Chrysantha
Date: 05-03-2005, 11:20 PM (3 of 11)
Fabric paint comes in jars, bottles and pens these days. If you're more comfortable using a brush, use one...I do..and I LOVE the pens too.
Chrys
User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002
Total posts: 2414
From: SummersEchos
Date: 05-03-2005, 11:34 PM (4 of 11)
They do have a medium that you can put on fabric to use the acrylic on fabric. It is usually sold with the actylics. It doesn't change the color just helps the paint stay on the fabric.
Summer
Summer

FREE FALLIN
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004
Total posts: 884
From: Mom of Six
Date: 05-03-2005, 11:34 PM (5 of 11)
There used to be a product called fabric medium. It was added to acrylic paints to make them softer on fabric. I have looked for it recently @Jo Anns & Wal Mart but didn't find it. I plan on checking out Micheal's as soon as I get a chance. My DGSs want to paint T shirts with some foam stamps I got. I am going to try for Friday since they will be spending the afternnoon with me.
Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!!
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001
Total posts: 1115
From: allie-oops
Date: 05-04-2005, 04:10 PM (6 of 11)
If you want good control, try the fabric dye pens. Or paint pens. I use all kinds of different paints on fabric....think about it...what do you do with those jeans you wore while painting your bathroom? Mostly just wear them to paint other rooms, lol. The paint doesn't come out easily.

I have found the textile medium, that you add to acrylic paint to use on fabric, at Joann's. It's in the same display as the acrylic paints. I would use that and some paintbrushes, for a jean jacket. It might be hard to cover the fabric with the fabric dye pens.
Allie
"onward through the fog"
User: allie-oops
Member since: 10-25-2002
Total posts: 282
From: Magot
Date: 05-04-2005, 05:07 PM (7 of 11)
I have painted with acrylic on fabric - I was painting a graphic design on a flag for use in church. Painted onto a lovely flowing acetate it set as hard as a rock - acrylic is a plastic based paint and unless you want a hard finish I would not use it on a garment. Having said that, I have never used the texuriser that softens it that was mentioned in previous posts. Short of spending out and making test swatches to see if you like the finish - I would go with the fabric paints - they can be painted on quite easily. If you use the fabric pens you can get good solid block covering provided that you use new pens. Using old pens is very similar to trying to colour in with old felt pens - very streaky. I'm not sure how well the colours blend in a pen. I think you need to imagine that the colour and effect you get on paper is what you will get on fabric. Test. Test. Test.
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
DNA to order.
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: MaryW
Date: 05-09-2005, 12:59 PM (8 of 11)
Jan, can't you thin the paints to make a more flexible application?
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 05-09-2005, 01:22 PM (9 of 11)
Check out the Delta line.. They have a line called starlite and it is dye not acrylic paint.. It is great for painting on fabric.. starlight means it has a touch of something that makes it almost (not quite ) sparkle .. Great for sweatshirts and t's ..
Sew With Love
Libby
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002
Total posts: 2022
From: Magot
Date: 05-09-2005, 02:39 PM (10 of 11)
Acrylic can be thinned to make it more like watercolours but it doesn't give as intense a colour.
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
DNA to order.
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: Sancin
Date: 05-10-2005, 04:33 AM (11 of 11)
Heather, there are several lines of paint specifically for painting on fabric. It took me a long time to discover the thing I really like about sewing and quilting is colour. So I got into fabric painting (and flower pounding which is fun).

Check out the following - have paints and excellent instructions on different techniques. http://www.maiwa.com/Maiwacat30.html
http://opulencesilksanddyes.com/body_index.html
www.dharmatrading.com
http://www.gsdye.com/Canada/FAQ.html
:Canada:

You may also want to consider crayons for children's designs. Do a Google search for sites near you. And check out the FAQ before you commit yourself. Good luck and let us know how you make out. :bluesmile

Nancy
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005
Total posts: 895
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