Quilting Arts - February-March 2016_

h

ot glue on recycled cardboard

is one of my go-to print block

techniques. These blocks are so easy to

make that I have a growing stack of them

in my studio. I love the uneven, organic

glue lines that print so beautifully on

fabric. For more pattern options, I

turn and print the block in different

sequences. It’s also fun to highlight part

of the design or add layers of color by

overprinting with craft foam squares.

DIRECTIONS

Make the print block

1. Cut a 6" × 6" square of corrugated
   cardboard with the craft knife.

TIP: Although, I used a 6" square to make my
print block, you could use larger or smaller
squares depending on the size of your fabric and
the eff ect you wish to achieve.

2. Divide the front side of the square block
   into equal increments and mark with a
   pencil or permanent marker. I divided
   my block into 4 squares 3" each. Draw
   the same lines on the back of the block
   to help line up the block while printing.


3. Draw simple designs within each
   smaller square.


4. Turn the block over and sequentially
   number each edge of the block to use for
   pattern sequences when you are printing.


5. Using the drawn designs as a guide,
   “draw” the shapes with a hot glue gun.
   Occasionally release the trigger of the
   gun and insert new glue sticks to keep
   the glue fl owing at an even rate. Allow
   the glue to dry completely.

Note: Do not touch the hot glue or the tip
of the gun. You will probably notice “spider
webs” of glue strands forming while you
work. Remove these after the glue is dry.

MATERIALS

• Flat, padded work surface
  (See “Make a padded printing
  board” for a portable option.)


• Prepared-for-dyeing (PFD)
  cotton fabric, 1 fat quarter,
  dyed or painted with diluted
  transparent fabric paint


• Corrugated recycled
  cardboard


• Craft knife and cutting mat


• Fine point permanent marker


• Hot glue gun and glue sticks


• Sheet of 6mm craft foam,
  9" × 12"


• Opaque or undiluted
  transparent fabric paint
  (I used Pēbēo Setacolor
  Opaque paint in Black Lake.)
  
  
  • Transparent fabric paints
    (I used Pēbēo Setacolor
    Transparent fabric paints
    in Turquoise, Parma Violet,
    Cobalt Blue, Fuchsia, and
    Cardinal Red.)
  
  
  • Small plastic containers
  
  
  • Plastic spoons
  
  
  • Foam brushes, 1", at least 1
    for each color of transparent
    paint
  
  
  • Glass palette (I used framing
    glass from a craft store and
    put duct tape on the edges.)
  
  
  • Dense foam brayer
  
  
  • Fabric-safe temporary marker
    Optional
  
  
  • Clothes dryer