Experimenting is not just for teenagers…

I love fabric. I love type. I love typographic fabric. So I made some. Here is what I did, it was super fun. It turned out kind of grungy and I like it. Now I just have to figure out what to do with it. Suggestions?

wholecloth.jpg

Here’s how it all went down:

First, it worked best with a lighter color than a darker color. Darker colors require more saturation and caused the dye to bleed under the letters. I went with gray. I mixed 1 package of gray powdered dye with two cups of water and brought it to a simmer on the stove according to the package directions. (I used RIT, you can get it at any craft supply store) The directions say to use salt but it gummed up my spray bottle. Boo.

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I cut 6 inch letters from glossy photo paper. The gloss acts as a water resistant coating. You can use anything that’s disposable and relatively moisture friendly. I put a thin coating of spray adhesive or photo spray mount on the back of the letters and let it dry slightly so it was tacky but not sticky. This prevents the stencil from moving around too much.

I let the dye cool slightly and filled a small spray bottle. Test the spray on something so you can get used to the flow. I liked a wide even spray for coverage.

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Keeping the bottle high and directly over the letters, I sprayed light even coats over the whole area. If you come in at an angle the dye could seep under the letters.

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Hang that sucker out to dry and then machine wash and dry it to make sure it sets.

Materials:

RIT Dye, Spray bottle, fabric I used a Moda Bella Solid in white, plastic drop cloth, spray adhesive, scissors, water resistant paper or other stencil making material.

21 Responses to “Experimenting is not just for teenagers…”

  1. Love this! For some reason, it reminds me of Pac Man lettering…. maybe it’s the M. Whatever you use this for, it needs to involve large swaths of fabric — otherwise, the great letters would get chopped up and lost. I’m marking this to try later!

  2. Thats way cool! I have no idea what to use it for? A beanbag to sit in?

  3. That is pretty neat. I might have to add that to my summer “to do” list.

  4. that is totally awesome!! i think they should make a “tula” typeface out of it! hey, do you think it’d work if you used contact paper? then you could just stick the letters right on–no spray mount! hmm.. hope you’re doing well, having fun, and getting into lots of trouble :)

  5. This is so awesome! Hmmmm, I say use it either as a quilt backing or make an extra awesome tote bag for Market it out of it (if you do that I’ll have to get a picture of you wearing it)!

  6. This would be neat cut up then mounted to make a triptych for your wall!

  7. I think quilt backing for a super-edgy baby quilt.

  8. Nice! You could use the fabric to make a simple tote bag. Or, I also like the idea to hang it as a piece of artwork.

    It would also be neat to use this technique to make bunting with letters or a saying on it!

  9. Great idea. Thanks fot the how to. I might like to do this with a different kind of shape too.

  10. I love it! Never would of thought of it – - but now I have to try it. And it would look fabulous as a backing for a smaller quilt!

  11. This fabric looks great. I have been looking for an idea for my boys “grungy” room curtains and I believe this is it.

  12. Just thumb tack it to the wall…it is really cool!

  13. that is soooooo cool!!!!!!!!!

  14. Very cool! I have a dyeing workshop in May this is a great idea for personalized t’s for kids. Just got 2 bolts of the bella white pfd this week. Yeah, I am having a just for me dyeing day tomorrow ( I can’t keep my hands off it any longer).

  15. Hey Kate :) I think contact paper would be perfect! Thanks!

  16. Freezer paper works great too – you just touch it with a warm iron (waxy side down) and it stays in place, and can usually be re-used several times…google it for tons of info. :) I’m thinking a super-awesome pillow case could be made from your swatch.

  17. Just so I don’t mess up your comments-counting up there I’ll write an additional comment here instead, just to prove I really am nuts. I’ve been thinking of this on and off since I wrote my comment and I’ve been on the verge several times to come and write another one basically saying “Oh wait, NOW I know for sure, THIS one is the best, the absolutely best!”, only that I’ve been changing which one the one is. But after some contemplating I think your best ones after all are neptune and hushabye. “And, and, and” my mind keeps going now, I really should have made a favourites list for myself to get this out of my system! But seriously, you make great stuff but those two (with some extra additions from the other ones and some colour variations) are your best work.

    Affirmation of the night: I will now leave this like a swirling sealion and feel totally peaceful.

  18. cute cute<3(“

  19. Glad I found this site …. have bookmarked it to read everything on it!

  20. Honestly girl, I’d love to spend a day in your head – the things that go on there!!??

  21. The W looks like my butt. I might have to sue you.

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