Note on Paints
Most of my printed fabric is used to make mixed-media art pieces,
so I can use any paint I want for this process. However, if you plan to
use your fabric to make items that will be washed, you must choose
wisely.
Fabric paint is softer and is designed to be washed. Follow the
manufacturer’s instructions to heat set the paint after it has dried,
and remember to wash in the gentle cycle.
Acrylic paint will change the hand of the fabric and should not be
laundered. However, if mixed with fabric medium—usually in a 1:1
ratio—it will also work on fabric. Again, follow the manufacturer’s
instructions for laundering and heat setting.DIRECTIONS
Plan and prep
Monoprinting can be done on
any type of fabric. The smoother
the fabric, the crisper the image.
Consider the color of the fabric
when choosing the paints. My
samples are printed on PFD
(prepared for dyeing) and hand-
dyed fabric.
- If you are using PFD fabric, skip
to step 2. Otherwise, scour the
fabric by placing it in a washing
machine with hot water and a
drop of Synthrapol or a mild
detergent. This will remove the
sizing and get the fabric ready
for printing. Tumble dry and
press. - Cut the fabric to the size you’d
like to work with remembering
to add a few inches extra to the
fi nished size to take into account
shrinking from quilting and
trimming. A 15" square is a good
starting size.
3. To create a stencil, draw an
irregular shape in pencil on
a piece of thin cardboard and
carefully cut it out using an
X-acto knife. The more precise
you are, the smoother the
shape will be. You will use
both parts of the cardboard in
monoprinting—the cut-out
shape (this will be used as a
mask) and the ‘background’
stencil. Make several different
shapes and stencils to start.
Ana’s monoprints look great on artcloth.
Stencils and masks used for this
process can be cut in a variety
of irregular shapes.