MATERIALS
coloured paper or cardboard / scissors / ruler / pencil / stencil
paper / scalpel / cutting mat / plain pillowcase (we used white) /
large piece of scrap paper or card / packing and masking tapes /
screen (43T for printing on fabric – this allows more ink through)
/ squeegee / inks in three colours / spatula / iron / hair dryer
NOTE: We suggest using transparent inks – which allow
the colour of the fabric to show through – as they will
feel softer against your face.
HOW TO
Cut out a selection of shapes from coloured paper – just have fun
with it! Pick out your three favourite shapes and pop them on a
piece of paper, moving them around until you’re happy with their
placement. This will become your design. You’ll need to scale the
size up, but that’s easy with such simple shapes.
Using a pencil, draw the scaled-up version of each shape onto
your stencil paper. You’ll need a different piece of stencil paper
for each shape. Cut the stencils using your scalpel and cutting
mat. Save all the cut-out pieces from each shape – you’ll need
them in a minute.
Iron your pillowcase and lay it out on the work surface. Place
a large piece of scrap paper inside, so the ink doesn’t bleed
through. Arrange the cut-out shapes on the pillowcase. When
you’re happy with their positions, use a doubled-over piece of
tape to secure them in place. This will enable you to ‘register’
each print, so all elements stay where they’re meant to.
Prepare the screen by sticking packing tape to the front to create
a border (this is where the ink will start and finish – it’s called
the ‘ink well’). Then, attach the first stencil to the front using two
pieces of masking tape. Make sure the stencil overlaps the frame
of tape around your screen, so there’s no exposed mesh (other
than your design!).
craftyPublished by Hardie Grant
Books, Print Play by Jessie
Wright and Lara Davies is
available for $24.99 in stores
nationally. Craft project tweaked
slightly for magazine format.jessie wright and lara davies – aka the
ladies behind home-work screen-printing
- share a cosy pillowcase project from
their new book, print play.
that
inking feeling
Get your squeegee and inks ready. Place the screen over the pillowcase,
lining up the stencil to its corresponding shape. Mark the corners of the
screen with tape – this will help you remember the position. Remove the
screen, then remove the shape from the pillowcase.Place the screen back inside the tape marks you created, then spread
a generous amount of ink above your design, in the ink well. Hold
the screen steady and start printing with one ‘flood stroke’, pulling
the ink down the screen using only the weight of the squeegee. (The
squeegee should sit at a 45-degree angle.) This ensures your design
will get sufficient ink. Then, apply more pressure in three hard ‘pulls’
(keeping the force even from top to bottom). Carefully lift the screen
from the pillowcase, in a motion that’s almost like opening a book.
Peel off the stencil and wash it, then wash and dry the screen so
it’s ready for the next print. Dry the first print completely using a hair
dryer. (It’s important to keep it moving so nothing burns.)
Attach the second stencil and use the same process to position
and print it. Repeat the process with your third stencil.
Dry the print completely, then heat set the pillowcase with an
iron. Make sure to put it on the cotton setting and turn off any
steam – you’ll need to iron the print (through a tea towel) for at
least five minutes, keeping the iron moving. After that, you’re ready
to pop your pillow inside and snuggle up!