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In this issue of Quilting Arts Embellishments you'll find tips for sun printing fabrics, plus a postcard from our Alaskan cruise, and a new book for beginning art quilters. |
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 Here Comes the Sun Printing!
When it's clear and hot outside, fiber artists don't go to the beach, they make one-of-a-kind fabric with paint and the sun. The technique is simple, just apply a light-sensitive paint (such as Setacolor®) to wet cotton, lay stencils, lace, paper patterns, string or any object that will create an interesting outline or shape on top, and leave the fabric in the sun to "print."
If you're sun-printing for the first time or have had less than perfect results in the past, here are some tips:
- The best results come from using 100% white cotton fabric that has been washed to remove the sizing or is labeled PFD (prepared for dyeing).
- Work on a sunny, cloudless day, preferably without a breeze. When it is breezy, it's more difficult to keep paper and other lightweight items on your fabric, and the fabric may flap around as it dries.
- Speed is a factor. Once you spread the paint on your fabric, you'll want to place your objects on it and get it in the sun as soon as possible to maximize the printing effects. So gather your supplies together before you begin, make enough paint, and work as close to the sun source as possible (for example, paint in your garage with a table set up in a sunny spot in the driveway).
- It helps to put your fabric on a piece of foam board first, so you can quickly transfer the fabric flat to the sunny table or lawn.
- Choose printing items that can lay relatively flat to get crisper outlines and fewer shadows.
- To create an allover, organic pattern, quickly pinch the fabric after painting, making little hills and valleys here and there, before placing it in the sun. Allow the fabric to dry thoroughly before smoothing it out again.
- Sprinkle a little bit of sea, rock, or kosher salt onto the fabric immediately after painting it to achieve interesting patterns and swirls on the surface.
- When the paint is dry, be sure to set it by ironing for 2 to 3 minutes on the reverse side.
You can find light-sensitive paint online and at specialty paint stores. For stencils, visit our website.
(Art by Calie Kaso)
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 Greetings from Alaska!
We had a great time in at the Fabulous Fiber Arts and Creative Embroidery Cruise to Alaska; wish you'd been there! Here's what class participant and art quilter Mary Fisher (pictured here, center, with Patricia Bolton, left, and Suzie Schomaker, right) had to say:
"The scenery in Alaska was/is incredible, the stitching possibilities endless, but in truth this ship could have gone to Timbuktu as long as I could spend time with Jan Beaney, Jean Littlejohn, Beryl Taylor, and Pokey Bolton. My trip was heaven."
To what else we have planned this year, visit the Events and News page on our website. |
 New! Simple Contemporary Quilts
If you're looking to make your first art quilt and want a pattern that's easy to follow, yet yields sophisticated results, you should definitely give Simple Contemporary Quilts: Bold New Designs for the First-time Quilter by Valerie Van Arsdale Schrader a look.
The book includes 20 quilt projects, from small wall hangings to bed- or wall-sized quilts. Each project is laid out with clear instructions, color photos, a materials list, and diagrams, where applicable. Templates are included in the back of the book.
View Simple Contemporary Quilts now. | |
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For more events, projects, challenges, and new and exciting mixed-media products and books, visit our website, QuiltingArts.com. If you are a current subscriber of Quilting Arts Magazine, or if you place a subscription/renewal order with an order, you will receive 10% off our retail prices on all your purchases (excluding subscription orders and renewals).
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