Guest post by Hobby Ideas

Hello and let’s give 2017 a warm welcome!

How was the New Year bash? Mine was fabulous. I had friends and family over and had an amazing start to 2017.

The weather was cold but all was forgotten in the revelry; memorable time with beautiful people. All the men and ladies were looking great but my BFF stole the show with the hand painted wrap dress she was wearing; a beautiful peacock painted on raw silk.

So my resolution was to be more creative this year and to do something unusual each day.

I have never painted on fabric before as I had always held that fabric painting is for the grand moms, but that stole made me realise that I was so wrong. Thus tried I did and here is my skirt!

Pretty isn’t it?

Trust me, you don’t have to be an artist or a pro painter to paint on fabric.

Fabric painting is mighty easy and should form a part of every DIY enthusiast’s repertoire.

Dos & Dont’s of Fabric Painting –

• There is a wide variety of fabric paints available but if you don’t have any, don’t fuss, Acrylic colours work just as well.
• You need to dilute acrylic colours a bit before using them on fabric otherwise they will make the fabric stiff after drying.
• When we start painting we should ensure that the fabric on which we are painting is not wrinkled and preferably ironed.
• Natural fabrics are best to paint.
• Always place a non-absorbent card or a thick paper between the two layers of clothing otherwise the paint will seep through the layers.

My masterpiece in easy steps –

• I started with drawing a mandala on my skirt with a pencil.
• The design should always be thought through before we start painting as once the paints are applied we cannot rectify them.
• Fabric painting designs are available in plenty on the internet.
• Look out for one which suits the attire and your personality.
• Don’t use a very thick layer of paint at once and do it in smaller strokes.
• Always keep a cloth and a glass of clean water for cleaning the brushes.

 

 

• If the colours which are being used are lighter shades, then to get the best result we need to do a base coat of white.

 

 

• Now start painting.
• Ensure that you have all the shades, which you want to use, handy.
• The base coat should be done first.

 

 

• Once the base paint has dried we start doing the details with a fine brush.
• I went overboard doing my mandala design but then with mandalas one can always do something more.
• I incorporated a bit of yellow to break the tedium of cool colours.

Voila, here is my mandala!

 

 

Post Painting Care/Instructions –

• We need an air curing period for fabric colours ranging from 3 to 7 days.
• During this period the colours set and take the original colour.
• After curing, a heat setting may be required which is normally done with a hot iron on the back side of the painted area.
• Fabric paints do not come off after washing, if cured adequately.

 

 

Possibilities with fabric painting are endless. Have a look at some Fabric Painting crafts here. Painting can be customised as per the age and the taste.

So get going, get creative!

XOXO

Natasha

DIY Enthusiast