Hello! been screen-printing some more 🙂
btw, Shelley and Ute asked about the ink and colour-fastness of; we are using Permaset Aqua Textile Printing Ink, you can read about it, search for stockists and buy online here. I got some at Jacksons art suppliers. wrt colour-fastness I am veeeeery pleased to report that I have laundered my Poppies set and it came out as fresh and clean and bright as when it was first printed… phew! (wipes sweat from brow) I had this horrible feeling that I was going to pull an all-over pink and poppy-less set of lingerie from the washing machine, but no, this ink is marvellous stuff! so yeah, my experience is that if you follow the instructions on the jar and iron like mad, then happy, print-y laundering will ensue.
But back to the current project…
This time I printed two large-ish pieces of fabric, and tried to make a random repeating print, one that had an interlocking-overlapping design so that repeat prints looked more organically seamless and less obvious where the design started and finished with each one. My teacher photocopied my design to show me how you can cut it up the middle and place the sides back on themselves to see how the design needs to be altered so that it fits in visually.
Also, because I wanted my leaves to be an autumnal colour range as opposed to one single solid colour, I did not mix anything but instead plopped blobs of colour along the top of the screen and just allowed them to mix and marble together however they wanted during the screening. I started with blobs of Mid Yellow and Purple, which eventually with repeat screenings became a kind of olive, which I re-used and kept adding new little blobs of yellow and purple to it at the top of the screen randomly. More yellow got into the mix than purple because I wanted the leaves to “glow”, and loved how the streaks of yellow accentuated this effect.
I had to cut two identical paper stencils because I did it in two lots, the first length of fabric in class and the second at home. My second effort (at left in the picture below) clearly has a much better alignment! haha hardly surprising, that! and this time, remembering the difficulties I had with cutting pattern pieces from my poppies print, I tried as much as possible to print right up to and over the edges of my fabric pieces.
Something I forgot to mention in my murky blocks post but have found indispensible!! is to draw a large arrow on the back side of the stencil, indicating “this side up” of course! With designs like mine which are abstract but still directional, having this has saved me several times from making a terrible mistake…
Once both lengths had dried it looked a little dull and I fancied the idea of a random red leaf here and there, both for visual interest as well as to fill in some gaps. I didn’t use the screen, but just cut a single-leaf stencil from thickish paper and sort of “sploodged” with a small amount of ink on the end of a paintbrush to fill it in. Because the paper degrades and starts to bleed quickly, I only used each one about three or four times each before needing to cut a new one. This colour is the leftover, so the same as, my poppies print.
Once all this had dried, I went over with a Sharpie laundry marker and hand-added the leaf stalks in later.
(and, you can see in my first photo, some little pencilled-in crosses between the leaves? these are my alignment guides and will wash out, no worries 🙂
Thoughts:
Not fabulous but getting… somewhere?! Has some disastrous spots, but overall I eventually wrangled it into something I like. I already know how I’m going to use it! Since I’m less happy with this than with my murky block print then paradoxically I will feel less angst-y about slicing into it and sewing it up first… if that makes any sense. No, I know it doesn’t. I’m intimidated by fabrics I love more, so am more likely NOT to use them through weird feelings of inadequacy that I can’t do them justice… pretty silly, huh?
Anyway this will get made up quickly… stay tuned!
They look great close up and from a distance. What is it going to be? Jox
(wink!)
oh i love that lone red leaf! 🙂
So, let us know when you start dreaming about screen print ideas; I'm sure it's just a matter of time!
Just love this concept! I am sure you will do this beautiful hand printed fabric justice when you create with it…can't wait to see…J
I really, really like these leaves. Can't wait to see the finished product!
Really lovely. Can't wait to see it made up. I'm really enjoying this screen printing series.
You're getting better and better. I really like those leaves and can't wait to see what you're gonna make with the fabric.
You're getting there! Lots of improvement in your control! I'd give you a gold star there, you're really moving along with your fabric prints!
I am *so* loving these!
This looks great! I also get "the fear" when thinking about cutting into much loved material. I think it comes from fearing the potential opportunity lost. Add in, if it doesn't turn out well then there is no going back, but so long as the fabric remains uncut there are boundless opportunities….
Your leaves are so so pretty, you did a great job and I am sure this will turn out to be something beautiful! You should check out this song, your title made me think of it instantly but yours are more cheerful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGBDXR3EPjE
And I feel intimidated by my most lovely fabrics as well, and avoid cutting into them too, afraid to mess up… And that is store-bought fabric, so I can imagine what it must be like when you made them yourself…
I have similar feelings about fabric and clothes in general. I am much more likely to wear something that I have made that is imperfect because it then is "not too good" (not sure what I am saving the "good" for!!) This piece of fabric has certainly developed from the last one – I guess it will take time to feel your way with the medium. Glad the spots washed well 🙂
Beautiful, Carolyn! I am very impressed.
I think it looks fabulous! I understand how a fabric can be intimidating and not cutting into it for fear of ruining it tho' – I'm the same! 🙂
Another gorgeous print 🙂
You're work is SO BEAUTIFUL! The leaves definitely glow!
Oh, I love your leaves!! I really can't wait to see where you take this printing thing, you've already started out so well!
I love this print. Are you planning to use the fabric for clothing?
definitely! 🙂
This is all very interesting and looks like a lot of fun. Happy sewing it up!
Very nice work! And glad to hear that your lingerie set was not destroyed, that would really be a pitty!
Love your print! Thank you for getting back to the laundering question. I'll try to source your "magic" ink here in Germany!
I LOVE the print! I am so inspired to try this. Thank you for posting 🙂
Wow, you are definitely getting somewhere. I love the way you think pretty far outside the box.
This looks great. You can cut your stencils into acetate instead of paper so that they last longer & can be reused. It's easy to buy in A4 & A3 size sheets so should be large enough for the prints you've been doing. Looking forward to seeing what you make next.
Oh wow! I love the sense of motion and rythm that your designs have. The colors are just divine together, the red leaf is the perfect spot of bright color.
I'm glad to hear that they survived the first washing. Do you do anything to set the color like you do when dyeing fabric?
yOu really have inspired me to try this some day.
You do LOTS of ironing to heat set the ink 🙂
Um I love this MORE than your murky blocks print! I guess that could just be personal preference though. Can't wait to see what you turn this into!
You are so creative and love the colours, can't wait to see what you are going to make.
Oh man, you are getting good at screen printing! Awesome work, and I cannot wait to see what you make out of it.
Definitely an addiction – and a fabulous outlet for your creative spirit.
Another lovely piece. Do you go into screen printing knowing/hoping to make the print into a specific pattern, or let the fabric speak once it is printed?
gosh this looks like so much fun! can't wait to see it sewn up!
Gee your getting good! 🙂
I love this print… leaves are great. I am inspired to create something similar
So pretty. When I first pulled up this post on my phone, the leaves almost seemed to be glowing. Can't wait to see what you make from it.
I like this one a lot, actually! The leaves definitely do have that glowing quality, and since we're getting hints of autumn in the air now where I live, it makes me happy. 🙂
I think it's a beautiful print. I love all of the different shades; makes it look as if the leaves are blowing. Great job! This really makes me want to do this myself.
I really like these. Reminds me of the leaf printing we did in school XD The effect of yours is very lotta jansdotter. Can't wait to see what you sew up with this.