How To Paint On Fabric

Hello Friends!
I told you several days ago that I was going to show you how I painted on fabric for our sewing room/office curtain.
First, you’ll have to visualise the above photo unpainted because I forgot to get a before photo.
Sorry.

 
I wanted to do this fabric painting project NOW, so I racked by brain trying to come up with what I might have at home that could work.
I have craft paints on hand, but I didn’t want a stiff painted finish for the curtains. 
Then I came up with the idea of using food colouring .
I first cut fabric strips for experimenting with the right balance of the dye and water mixture.
When I discovered that I didn’t have any red food colouring I decided to use beet juice.
And it worked beautifully!
I believe can thank Ma Ingalls from “Little House on the Prairie”  for this little tidbit of knowledge:)

Honestly I was surprised that the colours worked out to be exactly what I was wanting to achieve for this project.
The pale red and blue were simply diluted.
The lime green, which looks more yellow here, was a mix of yellow and green together.
I applied it to the fabric with a craft paint brush, being very careful to stay within the lines of the postal pattern on the curtains.
 I also placed a plastic barrier underneath the fabric to protect the surface it was lying on.
This is a must!
Now this is all experimental on my part…
But I figured that you don’t know until you try, right?

 Since I was worried that the dye would run after washing I sprayed the painted areas with an acrylic coating to seal them.
I feel pretty confident this won’t wash out.
At least I hope not!
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I will be back to share with you how it looks once it is hanging.
I want to paint the window’s trim first.
Oh yes, another project!

Please join me as party here:


17 thoughts on “How To Paint On Fabric

  1. Hi Kimberly, I like your new header! It looks great. And the curtains are really sweet. I can't believe you dyed certain parts. That is so cool. The fabric is really cute too. I'm guessing you have your computer back? How are your grandsons? I hope they are both recovering well. Hugs. Pam

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  2. That is just beautiful Kimberly! I have experimented a little bit with natural dyes (beet juice and others), I think if you throw some salt in the wash and wash on cold water the colors should set. Of course I don't know how the food coloring will work, it sure seems to stain clothing well enough, lol! But the salt acts as a mordant and sets the dye more permanently.

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  3. WOW!! I am soo impressed…you are soo creative and so innovative. I never would have thought to do such a thing. And it looks soo good! Can't wait to see the curtains hanging. Enjoy your day!

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  4. I loved that you used beet juice. What would we do without Ma. I think you have such great ideas. I can't wait to see them hung up. What I could see looks amazing. No, there will always be projects.

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