Monday, February 28, 2011

If you need instant gratification...

then this is NOT the project to pick! 

I saw it on Quilting Arts, Quilting Daily  .

The subject was "Spring into a Fresh Batik Technique" so of course, I was hooked.

In a nutshell, use a fat quarter size piece of cotton 'cause that is manageable. I used premium muslin that had been washed and dried and sort of ironed a bit. 

Mix a cup of ordinary white flour with 1 cup of cold water and stir until smooth. I poured it on my fabric (with plastic sheeting underneath) and then smoothed it out with a spatula. My basement studio is warm, but it took several days for this to dry. I suppose you could lay some kind of a rack under it, but maybe it would leave strange indentations.

 So...about three or so days later, it was finally ready. You scrunch it in your hands to crack all the dried flour paste and paint away. I used Payne's Gray with textile medium and water.

I think one probably shouldn't take too long to paint the fabric or you'll be back to flour paste? Anyway, I added a few strokes of fuchsia and here are the results:


This is the fabric...all dry...finally! And it looks like it's about to take off!

Adding Payne's Gray paint


Had to add a bit of fuchsia, of course.


Awesome, but no fuchsia!

I think I may try this on a piece that has already been fabric painted, but needs a little "help". If anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear from you.


3 comments:

  1. I'm so glad to see someone try this -- I've been wondering about it ever since I saw it in Quilting Arts. I really like your result -- the crackle lines are great. Makes me want to give it a try when the weather is a little warmer!

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  2. Hi Diane,
    It's fun, but totally unpredictable, which is okay since we all like surprises.

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  3. Great ideas Dolly. Can't wait to see the outcome when we have lunch. How about a demonstration for us?

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