easy printing on fabric

I have been working on a number of sewing projects, one being an art quilt to hang on the wall. And since I typically never buy printed fabric and instead make my own, I set out to create some unique quilt squares with lots of texture.

I am always trying to find new and different ways to create pattern and texture on the surface of fabric and paper and using simple materials is my favorite way! If you haven't heard of scratch foam then you are missing out! It is basically a thin piece of soft styrofoam that can be scratched and "carved" into with simple tools. Made for kids but perfect to use in simple surface design projects when you are looking to transfer pattern and create texture. (a piece of regular recycled styrofoam could also work)

I started by cutting out squares of scratch foam in the size of the squares that I want to quilt with.

Next I started drawing into the surface of with a chop stick- but you could use tooth picks, pens pencils or anything with a point.

I covered the entire surface of the scratch foam with my drawing (or doodle).

I created a few different surfaces with different designs.

Next, I grabbed a variety of Tulip Soft Fabric Paint- one of my favorite products to use when painting or printing on fabric- lots of fabulous colors to choose from and the best part is no heat setting required!

I covered the scratch foam with an even layer of fabric paint,

flipped the foam over and pressed down firmly onto the surface of plain white fabric.

and then pulled the scratch foam plate from fabric to reveal my design.

Note- this technique of printing pattern with the scratch foam is not going to get you perfect clean design every time (your should use block prints, stamps or event silkscreen if you want clean designs)- in fact each printing gives you something a little different and each and every print reveals some interesting and wonderful texture!

I printed all my different squares

and got lots of unique texture and pattern.

I covered the surface of about 1-2 yards of fabric.

Last, I cut out each square in preparation for designing my art quilt which will be coming soon :)

rolling pin stamps

I am always trying to find easy ways to incorporate layers of pattern into my surface design when I am making hand painted paper and fabric.

My favorite way to incorporate pattern is by making my own stamps and wood blocks. But after buying a few mini rolling pins, I had the brilliant idea to create some rolling pin stamps that I could use to create quick layers of pattern.

I started with mini rolling pins (and for the life of me I can't remember where I got them!) but you could also use full size rolling pins.

Originally I thought I would carve patterns with my wood carving tools into the wooden rolling pins but I ran out of time! Since I use craft foam for a lot of my own hand carved stamps, I have a lot of it on hand! I decided to use the foam to cut out shapes- it is flexible and very easy to use with paint.

I cut out lots of shapes from the foam

and then with hot glue, I glued the shapes to the surface of the rolling pin.

It is not necessary to use craft foam- you really could think outside the box and use just about anything that could be glued to the surface and create a unique pattern.

After the entire surface of the rolling pin was covered I used a brush to add paint

and then I rolled it across the surface.

I was able to roll it across the surface about three or four times without adding more paint.

This is MUCH easier than stamping or using a wood block where you often have to add paint or ink after every transfer to the surface.

I got creative and used all sorts of different shapes cut from the craft foam

and even carved some simple details with my wood burning tool.

tip- a wood burning tool will carve (or burn away) texture from the surface of the craft foam.

I created all kinds of papers,

I added the patterns to the top of canvas that had been painted

and even rolled pattern right over the top of hand dyed muslin.

Such a quick and easy way to add pattern, layers and texture to your surfaces!