My latest screen-printing project 🙂
Searching for design inspiration, I randomly set myself a theme. The beach! I sketched out several ideas and variations, some abstract some more literal, and spent ages agonising over which one I should do… aaargh, so indecisive!! Eventually settled on this very simple and abstract one, obviously! since we are really pushed for time and space in our class and it’s best not to to turn up with very ambitious ideas. I had to finish this one at home since I only managed to get halfway through in class. But I am seriously considering setting up at home to print at least one of my other beach-related ideas too.
I used a lovely lightweight cotton/linen from Spotlight, in a soft sandy shade. This is probably the nicest, classiest fabric I have printed so far. It was scary, but I felt ready to take a risk.
The colour palette (6 colours) :
The dots are all printed using the same imperfect circle template, but oriented different ways so they don’t look identical to each other.
Funny moment; my friend J, with whom I am doing the class, on seeing my stencil “um, it’s a hole?”
When printing I tried to vary the visual texture of the dots; at times I did a scanty pull, to get scratchy dots, at other times I put together blobs of slightly different shades of the colours without mixing properly, to get streaked or blotchy dots.
Before class, I cut out all my pattern pieces and tacked an accurate 11cmx11cm grid all over each piece. When printing the dots I placed the screen just slightly off every now and again, because I like how a little imperfection makes the design look more casual and fun. Plus, wonky designs are the beginner screen-printer’s best friend!!
The whole shebang…
Thoughts: I am super happy with how the print turned out! and am pretty excited to see how the final garment will look. I’m motivated to sew it up quickly, because my teacher specifically asked me to show it at our next class.. which will be our last! Yes, I’m a little sad that my weekly class is going to end, but this isn’t going to be the end of my screen-printing adventures, that’s for sure!
Love love! That print is so awesome and beachy. Can't wait to see the dress!
Ooh, I love these colors! Very happy!
Oh, that looks like fun. So far, I only got as far as purchasing a screen and squeegee. But, I've been using silkscreen printer's ink for fabric painting and stamping forever. It's so much fun.
Great colours! Can´t wait for the finished dress!
Adorable!! I totally get the "beachy " vibe from it. Thanks for sharing all of your screen printing projects!
So much fun, Carolyn! I love it!!
I would have been too frightened of the yellow but it looks really great. Jo x
Yellow seems to get a bad rap, but nature never gets it wrong imo 🙂
What a delightful print – reminds me of what I like about some of the Nani Iro dots, lovely irregular organic shapes.
I love your fabric! That class sounds so fun:)
I wasn't quite sure what those things hanging under the dress were, then I figured out they're the sleeves. This dress is going to be really cute! I can't wait to see the finished garment!
I'm curious about the dress too!
And I think this is a great design considering the issues with screen printing. A bit of randomness in a print is very nice and with this print, slight issues with the placement of the screen should just look nicely random (at least, I think they would. I've never done screen printing, which is another reason why I'm following these posts so closely)
fantastic colors, can't wait to see what it becomes.
i adore these colors together! love the beachy dots so great, sounds like this has been a fun class!
Great colours together. I love where you took your inspiration from and will really enjoy seeing the finished garment!
Fantastic colors!! The design is very pretty too. You're just getting better and better, I can't wait to see the dress!
Beautiful! This one might be my favorite of all you've been showing.
You are having a ball and can't wait to see what this dress is going to look like!
Lovely colours and the beach inspiration is, um, inspired! It's nice to see the fabric cut into a shape – the shift dress (with pockets!) will be perfect, and you've lined up the dots beautifully.
It will be a great dress. Those colours really define WA for me, so beautiful, nature (and you) are pretty good at making them all work so well together.
I am seeing more and more people create their own fabric. I only wish I had the talent to do so. I can't wait to see the dress completed!
So cool! I really love the color combo and pattern. I was actually thinking of you this morning…I made a dress out of a fabric that has a fab flower motif that would be great as a screen print (though I have no idea about screen printing). When I post it I will ask for your advice 😉 Will you be taking another class or continue on your own?
sewing princess; thank you! there are other different classes that I am a little interested in, something to think about and look forward to next year maybe. For now, I am continuing on my own 🙂
Love the colour you have chosen! I can´t wait to see the final garment 🙂
Wasn't that enthusiastic when I saw the first photo, but then seeing the beach scenes and the printed dress, I have admit it is lovely!
The colours evoke the beach perfectly. Looking forward to seeing the finished item… of course!
Oh I love it! I cannot wait to see this made up!!! It looks so super cute. This looks like a dress right up m alley. Of course a lot of your stuff is right up my alley which is why I go through your blog and then scour etsy and ebay to look for the oop patterns you have used 😉 so I can make something similar. Really cannot wait to see this one though. Love the print.
oh, thanks so much abailey! Your comment made my day 🙂
I love this print and the way you made it imperfect. The colours you chose are wonderful and I can't wait to see what your making.
All of you prints have been absolutely beautiful and inspiring. I particularly love the colors on this fabric.
I love looking over your shoulder at your screen printing projects!
This one is my favorite yet!
Cute – when are your fabrics going commercial? You have some great ideas carried through to completion! Looking forward to seeing the finished item.
How super duper fun!
Oh, I love the large size of the dots and the array of colors. Well done.
very pretty … can't wait to see the finished dress 🙂
This is very cool! Can't wait to see the dress sewn, just great dots.
This is very cool! Can't wait to see the dress sewn, just great dots.
What a great print! It's very beachy. It sounds like a really fun class.
What a lovely print! Such pretty, summery colours!