Diane S. Hire from Belfast, Maine, was the guest speaker at the spring meeting, '99, of the Green Mountain Quilters Guild. She gave an inspiring presentation with all of her lovely art quilts. Here we present a bit of valuable information she passed along to us (with permission).
Fabric Paints
Fabric Paints: I like all of those listed for totally different usages
& effects.
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FabricArts is a thin paint. Goes on fast & is like using regular
watercolors. Thus, I love using them, but saturation of color is
harder to achieve. It is what I use, mostly.
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Versatex Textile Paint is the thick one -- really gobbbbbbbly, but can
be gooked on & gives full color. This is the paint used in "Fingerpainting"
quilt.
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I've combined Liquitex Acrylics with Versatex paints -- this was
what I did for the finger-painted piece. I HAVE NO IDEA how this
will hold up -- an experiment that may or may not be a good thing.
So be certain to say that's my "disclaimer".
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Lumiere is excellent for stamping, gives a lovely iridescence (metallic).
Sharp, clear colors, but I use only as an accessory paint vs. using it
on the complete surface.
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Neopaque is also thicker & gives a "flat" look. It's also terrific.
Also, there's an Extender and/or Dilutant -- a white non-color liquid which
does as it's name implies ... extends/dilutes the paints. I use this
to get paler shades and pastels when I don't want to use white as a "flat"
pastel. That only makes sense when you begin to work with the paints.
Order Paints or a catalog from:
I always wash the fabric to remove any sizing & hard-heat dry to shrink
it.
Methods -- I like all of them:
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Spray the fabric with water, then apply paint. Gives translucent
appearance to colors.
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Direct Method: place paint on dry fabric. This will use up more paint,
but will give the effect of stronger colors.
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Combination of 1 & 2, above. Works for getting a variety of effects.
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Remember: you will probably isolate areas from the fabrics you wish to
cut out Oust like Swiss Cheese). Thus, who cares what the actual
yardage looks like??? But, if you think you wish to make a "whole
cloth" quilt, then make that adjustment now.
Have FUN playing with fabric paints. They are non-toxic & do
not require a mask. Kids are safe! -- hands are easily washed with
regular soap'n water. Caution: you are working with "fabric" paint,
so anything dropped on clothes, shoes, furniture, floors, carpets will
stay there! Cover paint areas with plastic; wear clothes that do
not matter. It's a great summer opportunity -- paint in the driveway
& get some sun while having a great time.
