I posted this picture to Instagram last week and both Sheila and Oonaballoona wrote that I should paint the fabric. At the time I posted the fabric, it was a beautiful and dramatic black and white print.
Then I ran it through the washer and dryer (without a color catcher because why would I need one?) and ended up with this dingy piece of fabric...
All of a sudden that "painting the fabric" idea seemed really great. Now I have some fabric paints on hand but they've been in the drawer for a little too long. So a trip through the garment district led me to SIL Threads where they did have fabric paints. I bought five pots - red, blue, yellow, green and purple. That extra red is from the stash that actually was still okay!
After double-checking the paints, I found a white one that will work to mix colors and possibly make some pastel shades. I decided that I needed to paint a sample because I don't want to paint the entire yardage, only what I need for the skirt. Also I don't want to practice on the final garment pieces.
Here are a few pictures of the samples ~
This is going to take a minute to complete and is the first of the two projects I mentioned in my computer moan post. The second one will be up on the blog soon. It's not an easy project either...but I only work four days during the summer (my job has summer Fridays) so I'm up for some meaty projects after the sewcation week.
Hopefully you won't mind me sharing some progress posts cause I'm gonna need all the encouragement I can get to make it through this project! *LOL*
...as always more later!
that is so interesting. I think the first picture where you have the red flower and then still some white is really pretty. mostly black and white with a scattered flower in a color would look very designer to me. this is a project that I just my try myself :)
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the same thing!
DeleteSo nice to hear that you have summer Fridays off--what a great change from your previous schedule! I like the way the first sample is gong as well--some bright, and some left white.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea and I am sure it will look fabulous! You definitely need some more time off to work in your sewing cave, just as well you have to work less!
ReplyDeleteSüper fikir. Tebrik ederim.
ReplyDeletewow! this is going to be fantastic! I like that the fabric paint is transparent so that the detail lines in the print show through...talk about a "one of a kind" garment!
ReplyDeleteI can see why you went for your new job! Four days a week is awesome. Hopefully your won't have to work ten hour days like I did when I was in that situation. It was brutal and that extra day off was spent being exhausted.
ReplyDeleteI love what you are doing to this fabric and the bright colors chosen. Would you want to paint maybe just the flowers along the hem area as in a border print? Just thinking out loud here. Whatever you decide, this will be awesome when done.
This looks like a fun project! Just like a colouring book for a sewist! Can't wait to see the finished project.
ReplyDeleteLoving how this looks. I am very interested in painting fabric if it needs some life.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! How cute!!!! I never would have thought to do that and am excited to see the finished project!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun idea!! I can't wait to see how this comes out. :)
ReplyDeleteFun!!!
ReplyDeleteA good way to salvage fabric!
ReplyDeleteLove what you are doing to embellish this fabric!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous colors! I look forward to seeing the final product!
ReplyDeleteWow - painting those flowers sure makes a difference. Beautiful. Take your time with it. I know it's going to be fabulous.
ReplyDeleteThat's just genius! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! Like what I see so far and can't wait to see how it turns out.
ReplyDeleteWow! This is looking cool! I thought it was fine B&W, but the color really makes it look good. I especially like that you are not doing every. single. flower.
ReplyDeleteIt's looking good, I think you are going very please with the outcome.
ReplyDeleteI think it would look great if you don't paint all of it. Just some, maybe like a swirl from hem curving up one side. Or something like that. What a great idea to have Friday's off over summer! Lucky you.
ReplyDeleteAmazing - how vibrant!
ReplyDeleteWow, that's awesome. Never heard of painting fabric before. Can't wait to see your finished fabric
ReplyDeleteFun. This job sounds a lot more friendly to your creative spirit.
ReplyDeleteWowza! The bright colours in contrast to the black and white look Incredible. I have blk/wht fabric that is similar. I might just try this.
ReplyDeleteLove this project.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like it will be a lot of fun. Can't wait to see the finished product.
ReplyDeleteHave you thought about dyeing it? I'm thinking about red or some pastel shade... That could be really interesting :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE what you are doing with this fabric and can't wait to watch as you progress with it.
ReplyDeleteSummer Fridays?! That is AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteThat's a whole lot of work... but definitely worth every single minute. Can't wait to see the finished product.
ReplyDeleteI love where you're taking this -- so bright and pretty! I was wondering if the fabric paint changed the fabric's hand any?
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of a scattered (pink) flower. How pretty!
ReplyDeleteA suggestion: Don't color within the lines. Use a large, loose, brush stroke and, copying the design of the print, freely paint a colorful canvas, similar to the black printed design, but with an artistic freedom that is less precise. This way your fabric will appear as a large, colorful print, with a black printed, or stamped overlay giving it more depth and artistic
ReplyDeleteI remember a black and white lining fabric you had-silk charmeuse-and you added red color, was perfect. I still have that same black and white fabric in stash waiting for the perfect project to materialize. I think this is going to turn out great and look forward to seeing your progress.
ReplyDeleteLinda - it was for a lining fabric on a jacket. I inserted the lining but never finished the jacket. Boy, do you have a great memory.
DeleteI do lots of painting on fabric - to get that individual look - but I had never thought of colouring in a black and white print. It is a very effective look. Did you know that adult colouring in books are best sellers these days. Maybe we all need to go back to colouring in now that we can actually stay inside the lines - people claim it is very relaxing!
ReplyDeleteLike Linda, I remember the black and white silk fabric you painted back in the day. And I still have some of it in my stash too. FMF sales strikes again. I like this print with the color added. The original print had bit too much white in it.
ReplyDeleteOh, now THAT is really fun! You can get the exact shades that make you smile and energize you, in the exact composition you want to make them really pop and make your heart sing. I can hardly wait to see the finished garment. It's going to look magnificent. Creative Hormone Rush
ReplyDeleteI love that you are painting this. You are going to end up with one beautiful garment!!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE! That is so cool.
ReplyDelete