Friday, November 4, 2016

Another round of sun printed fabric


Please note that I have decided to post shortly after midnight my time for AEDM because Leah, our host isn't posting daily links as she has in previous years.  And it makes the dates less confusing, too.

For my August once-monthly tutorial, I led my readers through the pros and cons of various ways to sun print fabric.  Then I showed how I sun printed my fabric.  If you are new to my blog and would like to read the post, it is here.  As I explained, I am a simple dyer and don't use any harsh chemicals or dyes.

Like the first time I sun printed fabric, I started with two pieces of plastic bag covered cardboard.  To that, this time I added a plastic "for sale" sign I found and didn't have to cover.  Also like the first time, I soaked my old bed sheets I had torn to size.  They are better than any PFD (prepared for dyeing) fabric you will find!  It's because they have been washed so many times, all the sizing was washed out years ago.

Like before, I used two colors of fluid acrylic paint.  Note how the sun no longer reaches much of my front porch desk.

The same as before, I added water to my brush and mingled the two colors on the fabric.

This time, instead of using the vintage skeleton keys, I used old house and auto keys I found in my stash.  The skeleton keys are rounded and didn't lie flat, so didn't leave a very good impression.

I barely had enough keys to cover the front of the scrappy book cover and two pockets.

That meant I had to wait until the front of the journal was dry before I could paint the fabric that would get sewn on the inside of my scrappy journal.

I was not disappointed when I removed the key because the sun had done a fantastic job of leaving its mark on the fabric.

This turned out lovely, and even though the paint dried lighter, it is still darker than the washed out image shown here.  The woes of November sunshine.

Now that I had enough keys, I could start on the inside fabric.  But I had to wait a day because the sun had gone away by the time I was preparing this piece.

I didn't realize until after I removed the keys, that I had not left enough room at the top for a seam allowance.  The woes, trials, and tribulations of a non-sewer.

Also, because I didn't care for how the pockets came out,

I tore two more pieces, painted them, and created two new pockets.

Thank you for joining me today while I created a few more sun printed fabrics over a two day period.  Remember, all you need is some very good pigment-rich paint, fabric, water, and the sun.  Your pieces can come out as well as mine did.  Again, I appreciate you dropping by.



This is Day 4 of AEDM.


18 thoughtful remarks:

jinxxxygirl said...

This looks wonderful Elizabeth! Do you need to add a textile medium to the paint to keep the fabric soft when it dries?? Hugs! deb

Helen said...

I love this idea. sadly we won't have enough sun to do this here until spring and I don't have enough outside space I could try... but maybe one day!! thanks for your comment on WOYWW... the hard work has only just started, i will need way more than I have done so far, that was just a start...

Anonymous said...

Hi, Elizabeth! This looks very cool! I didn't know about sun printing on fabric, before--thanks for sharing!

Valerie-Jael said...

Looks like you had a fun day with your sun-prints. Will the material be used for journaling? Have a great day, hugs, Valerie

chrissie said...

Great ideas and wonderful colours.

Love Chrissie xx

Neet said...

Need to go and read your previous "sun" post. Found this so interesting and something I cannot fathom how it works. Must try it but I guess it will be summer or maybe a nice spring day here in the UK before we get sunshine. Love your results.
Hugs, Neet xx
ps extra extra tickles for Bleubeard for sending you over to me the other day xxx

Jeanie said...

This looks great with the keys. Your colors are very powerful! Love the richness of them.

Divers and Sundry said...

I find your key patterns appealing. I can see where these flat keys with a larger surface area would work better than the skeleton keys, even though I like the skeleton keys themselves better.

jinxxxygirl said...

Thank you for answering my question Elizabeth... one more..lol ... do you think adding the textile medium might change the 'sun print' ability of the paint???? LOL I know i lknow full of questions... I should just experiment myself huh?! But i thought you might know. Hugs! deb

Sami said...

What amazing things the power of sun can do. Looks lovely Elizabeth.
Have a great weekend.

sheila 77 said...

This looks great, I know how it works but am always astonished. I wonder if it would work with our weak sun. There is only one way to find out.
I'm a sewer and if something can go wrong with me it will go wrong. Measure twice or three times, cut, and the seams might still not match.
Interesting that you made this with fluid acrylics.

Zue said...

Your keys make very good silhouettes.
I tried sun printing this year. My chemicals were blue and on paper.
I like your pink colouration, think I will look into it for next summer.
Thanks for visiting...yes misty photos can be tricky.
Have a great weekend.


Meggymay said...

I don't think we would ever get enough heat from the sun here to try this printing technique. I have so enjoyed reading about the process. The colours looked lovely and to me the key prints were fantastic.
Yvonne xx

Claudia W | ImagesByCW said...

It's amazing! I saw 'sun-dyeing' fabric a while ago on another blog and I am still amazed of what you can do. Your keys look very impressive. Maybe one day I will try this.
It is also a good reminder of our sun's strength :)

froebelsternchen said...

This sunprints turned out truly AMAZING Elizabeth! I am thrilled about them - so sorry that I am just such an impatient girl.. so I guess I wouldn't have the patience to wait until Misses Sun had done her job.
Maybe I get more patient in the future.. I hope at least and will work on it!

Anonymous said...

Even though the sun is not as strong, these came out great! Ghostly keys....thanks for the visit. Xox

pearshapedcrafting said...

I love these sun prints! I must say the colours you have used are fabulous! Chrisx

Linda Kunsman said...

love those keys-and the sun prints!