Prepare to print
- Tape the corners of some scrap fabric
to the work surface. With the ruler and
fabric-safe temporary marker, draw
a guideline along the top edge of the
fabric to line up the fi rst row of block
prints. Find the center of this guideline
and draw another perpendicular
guideline running down the center of
the fabric. - Pour black opaque fabric paint into a
small plastic container. Spoon ¼ –½
teaspoon of the paint onto the
glass palette.
TIP: It’s better to start with less paint and add
more as needed to avoid messy prints. - Roll the dense foam brayer back and
forth over the paint until it is evenly
coated. Roll the brayer across the hot
glue block until it is evenly coated with
the paint. - Make print samplers on the scrap fabric
to work out pattern sequences. For
example, to create a simple repeating
pattern, have the same number (on the
back of the block) face the top edge of
the fabric each time you print. - When you have some patterns you like,
remove the test scrap and tape down the
fi nal fabric. - Refer to your print samplers for the
pattern sequence you wish to create. I
like to center the fi rst print along the
top guideline so that there will be an
equal number of prints on the fabric.
To do this, line up the print block along
the top guideline and center the block
on the center guideline marked on
the fabric. Press down on the block to
release the paint onto the fabric. Roll
more paint on the block before each
print. Continue to print until the fabric
is covered. Allow to dry completely.
make a padded
printing board
I make my padded printing board using
foam board, craft felt, and muslin.
By creating a surface large enough to
accommodate printing on fat quarters,
I get a work area that is still manageable
and can print fabric that is a useful size to
incorporate into my projects.
To create a fat quarter-friendly padded
printing board, layer 3–4 pieces of
20" × 30" acrylic craft felt on top of a
20" × 30" foam board. Place a 1 yd. piece of
muslin on top. Carefully fl ip the unit over
and wrap the extra muslin to the back,
trimming as needed. Tape the edges of the
muslin to the foam board.
If you are printing smaller pieces of fabric,
cut the materials in half to make
2 boards 15" × 20".