Saturday, April 11, 2009

more printing

I am now a fabric printing dabbler.
Very small dabbles: you saw the dishtowels :)

But, but...I've been so inspired by Galbraith & Paul since I ran across their site last week.
Hand-printed textiles that are so lovely and I keep thinking...since I cannot find that perfect bedding...Do you think I could pull it off? Dare I try on huge fabric without big stretchers? What would you (who have nearly as much experience as I--2 afternoons!) suggest I keep in mind when trying? What should I do to keep my fabric nice and flat? How to keep it gorgeous, not grand-scale Stampin' Up? Somehow it seems more possible because this beautiful little design company is in Philadelphia and it's sort of nearby. Which is crazy, but might just give me the courage to be like them. Only very little. And probably just one-off.

I started on a linen/cotton duvet cover with piecing and hand embroidered vines (1/2 done) on the sashing 5 years ago, and have had all the pieces out this week, trying to recapture my vision. The idea was for it to be reversible, and I think the cream side was going to have grosgrain ribbon border, which is no longer very fresh (though I think I still have the ribbon). Perhaps it will be printed instead... I have an olive branch and more lino blocks...(is there possibility or doomed hours in those ellipses? I know I should use spare moments in sorting and packing at this point, but if that seems really horribly, suicidally dull some magically open afternoon, could I do this?? Nathan thinks I'm "putting the cart before the horse" in my acquisition-for-the-house plans and he's right, and I obediently exerted such control at the auction yesterday...but. . . see? more ellipses of possibility!)

7 comments:

Natalie said...

While having never done this before, as far as pulling the fabric tight, I'd see if you can find someone with full size quilt frames or use smaller ones and move the fabric after it dries to do another section.

As for whether you could do it, I have no doubt you could and it would be beautiful!

Snippety Gibbet said...

I'm loving the viney pattern on the top. Do you use some specialty ink or fabric ink from the craft store? jan

sallyavena said...

I was thinking quilting frames too. It would just take a little longer. Or what about that company that you can send your 'idea' to and they reproduce it. I know it's made it's round on the craft blogs, I think Angry Chicken and maybe wee wonderfuls did a blog entry about it...

vfg said...

Alas, not my printing, but from Galbraith & Paul. The effect I wish I could get!

I bought some screenprinting inks from Dick Blick & dharma trading, Versatex & Jacquard brands. I can't tell them apart in use. They heat-set with an iron or in the oven, but I also bought some mix-in to set the inks. I do both, just to be sure, and the printing stays super-bright, with minimal "hand": you cannot feel the paint.

Sally: Yes, spoonflower. I hadn't thought about it for bedding. I just don't know how to use the right software to send them designs, though I could probably figure something out. Also there's the little detail of not being able to draw...Hmmm....

Natalie, I remember you taping quilts to Maura-Lee's wood floor to block them. Maybe that would work? The thing about using a quilt frame is that then there wouldn't be something hard underneath to print against...although I guess you could just put that on the floor, too. Wood floors in new house, so maybe that will inspire me to put the horse in front of the cart & pack and sort before I print & sew :) Nathan thanks you!

vfg said...

Sally just sent me a 2006 BHG article about the company, and they use foam mounted on wood...foamie? Would be cheap & easy to cut for a larger design...

I'll at least try tea towels :)

vszmom said...

Valerie, I love popping in to see what new craft you're trying. I was hoping that when Sara and Matt came to visit us here in TX, we'd be able to do some little thing. We just didn't seem to be able to make that happen.
Have you considered making quilt squares with a pattern run similar to wall paper so that when you put it together it would appear to have a continuous pattern. It would also add strength to your project. Sara is the quilter in our family so she'd know better than I. Hope to see the results in the very near future. Thanks for teaching us old dogs new tricks.
Also, where can I find the pattern for that cute little guy in your family? You should keep making those! :)
Vicki Z (aka SJN's mom)

Cynthia said...

I agree with Vicki. I was thinking blocks that could then be pieced together. Love the idea. And as for not being able to draw you have an excellent free hand. Good luck! Rueben's quilt really will get there soonish:)