There are so many ways to embellish quilts. If you have quilted for very long, you have probably tried at least one method of embellishing, whether it’s embroidery or thread painting or adding shiny trinkets like beads and rhinestones.
But how can you get the latest, trendy grunge embellishments on a quilt? You see this grunge look everywhere – apparel, accessories, home décor – so it’s natural to want to pick up some grunge element in your quilts. Aside from using a grunge-look fabric, you can incorporate a grunge motif onto your quilt with a simple screen printing technique.
The words simple and screen print have not always gone together. At one time, screen printing was a very laboring and expensive process. These days, you can buy a personal screen printing system for about $200. But who wants to spend that kind of money for something you may use only a few times?
There’s another way to screen print using Modge Podge, that water resistant decoupage glue that gained popularity in the 1970s. Modge Podge is still around and it’s the “secret ingredient” in a simple, homemade screen print.
First, select an element you want to print. In keeping with the grunge look, this might be a simple fleur d’lis or merely a curved line or bolt of lightning. You can screen print anything – it doesn’t have to be the “grunge” look. Simple designs like moons, stars and hearts generally work well. You will need an actual-size print of the design you want to reproduce.
Make sure the size you want to print will fit inside an embroidery hoop or a small lap quilt hoop. The hoop will help you create your screen.
Place sheer fabric (not tulle, but a tightly woven sheer fabric) inside the hoop and stretch it to be tight. Put your design under the fabric and gently trace the design onto the fabric with a pencil. Designs with bold, simple lines work best, especially for first projects.
If you have a light box, this will allow you to see the design under normal weight cotton fabric you might use for quilts.
Next, use the Modge Podge to block out the areas of the fabric that you do NOT want paint to go through. Paint it on with a brush to the areas that won’t be painted. It’s okay to dab the glue on, just make sure to cover all the areas where paint will not go.
Once the glue has had time to dry, you are ready to print. Some crafters use ink actually used for screen printing for this technique. It’s fine to use fabric paint, too. The best thing about fabric paint is that most crafters are familiar with it and how to use it properly. Use a paint brush like a stencil brush, and blot the paint across your design. Start lightly then add more paint to get the desired effect.
Try different brushes to see which works best for you. In actual screen printing, a line of ink would be squirted above the design then dragged with a squeegee across it to spread the ink. Depending on the strength of your stretched fabric, you may be able to do the same.
Once your design is finished, wash the glue out of the fabric and you are ready to use it in your project.
You can also use this technique to paint your own logo or emblem on the quilt as part of your signature. If you have a very steady hand or a very bold signature, you might also be able to paint your name on the quilt.
Remember, however, paint eventually wears off as items are washed more and more. If you want a permanent signature, paint is not the best way to add it.
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These fish were blocked from the fabric painting/dying process. Using the directions above, you would "paint" the fish and bubbles using Modge Podge and then apply paint to the fabric. |
Happy Quilting!
Penny Halgren
Master Quilter
