I've been working on some hand printed fabric designs... They're not ready yet, but I couldn't help taking a grainy phone photo of how they're shaping up! I'll put more effort in for the real ones, I am a photographer, honest...
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I've discovered today there's not much that's more stressful than doing low tech screen printing in a rented house...
Apart from trying to clean up in a white bathroom, getting bleach in the eyes and somehow the plug mechanism falling down the drain... Note to self, find a workshop! Hopefully these totes with birds in Midnight will seem worth all the pain! I've been dabbling with screen and lino printing new designs onto fabric (more of which will be coming soon!) This has generated a lovely pile of pattern fragments, which were crying out to be loved. So, ta-da, here are the very first Kate Moby buttons! My button maker may be my new favourite thing ever. If you agree, pop to the shop! So far sets are available in grey and blue.
Here is the bundle winging its way to the lucky winner of my birthday inspired giveaway. Sad to have missed out? I'm sure there will be another chance in the future - it's nearly Christmas after all! If you can't wait that long, everything is available in my shop. Details: Hand printed Tote Bag - Hedgerow Seeds in Summer Sky
Water Droplets Panoramic Greetings Card Scilly Skipping Stones Square Greetings Card Thin Bamboo Dip Pen Hand printed Buttons - Grey Collection I've been toying with the idea lately of developing some fabric and ceramic ranges, which would showcase illustrated surface pattern. I came to the conclusion that to make it look the tiniest bit convincing, I'd have to figure out a reliable screen printing method to make a few samples... So I did a bit of internet trawling and thought I'd give it a go! Step 1 - Decide on your pattern I scrawled a few designs down which varied in complexity and size so as to work out what the limits of home screen printing might be... Step 2 - Cut them out of acetate Depending on how handy you are, a scalpel or scissors might suit you best. For me, scissors are my friend. I also read about other methods of creating your "stencil" - painting PVA glue or latex paint onto organza (the same organza as Step 3.) If you try any other methods, be sure to let me know how it goes! Step 3 - Make your screen I bought an embroidery hoop that was larger than all my designs, and some organza fabric from the wonderful people of Bicester Village Fabrics who couldn't have been more helpful! I put the organza into the embroidery hoop and secured it so that it was tight as a drum. You could also buy a picture frame from a charity shop and staple gun that bad boy. I went for the hoop for size and adjustability reasons (also, if it was a horrible failure I could just take the organza out and bury it.) Again, let me know if you try other methods, I'd love to hear from you! Step 4 - Attach your acetate to your screen. Using sellotape, I attached my acetate to the face of the screen that would be between the organza and the fabric/paper/glass you want to print onto - i.e. the face where the organza is flush to the wooden hoop. I then filled in all gaps around the acetate with sellotape so that there was no chance any pesky ink could get where it wasn't wanted. Step 5 - Print like a machine. Putting your prepared screen onto the surface you want to print onto. For me this was pieces of cloth like calico and cotton. Keep your screen still, whether this be by weights or a friendly pair of hands. If it shifts whilst you're printing you'll get a smudged or echoed image. Bad times. Using fabric paint or whatever you fancy trying, put a small line on the acetate above your design. Using an old credit card or other kind of spreading device, pull the paint down firmly - it should get through the holes in your acetate and nothing else, leaving a perfect stencil! Repeat as desired and absorb the adoration. Then clean up. A few notes: If you're doing a repeat pattern where your hoop will cover over previously printed areas, be careful to let it dry first or you'll get a smudgy mess.
For my first take I used Dylon fabric paint, which I found to be too runny and seeped under the stencil. I had best results with standard Acrylic paint, which I ironed once dry to set (in between some old sheets so that my iron didn't go green.) I'll let you know if it is wash proof! My bet is yes, I can never jolly get it off my clothes when it's got there by mistake! I think that I'll invest in some proper inks soon, probably from these nice people. If you have a go at this, I would love to hear from you! Happy printing! It would appear people do look at my website! Out of the blue, after seeing images of my bags for the market fairs on this blog, I received this email:
I would like to invite you to submit your tote bag prints for a new book title called, Tote bags. The book is to be published worldwide by Laurence King Publishing in 2010. If you are interested in submitting your work for the book, please do contact me and I can send you more information regarding the project. You may also find further information on my blog, linked. It would be great to be able to feature and promote your work in the book. Best wishes They wanted some blurb from me, so to make my designs sound all very interesting in print, I submitted this statement: My work is multifaceted, which I think is reflective in my tastes, influences and design style. I’m currently getting into surface pattern design and decorative illustration. I am inspired by the natural world that surrounds us, and the beauty of minimalism and subtlety. I’ve always felt like a jack-of-all-trades, but I believe that is now referred to as a portfolio career! Generally though, I am drawn to simplicity, striking visuals and creating calming atmospheres. I think artwork becomes something else when it can be carried round in a functional role. Why shouldn’t we surround ourselves with beautiful, but usable things? I couldn’t come up with a reason, which is why I created my tote bags. Tote bags have become popular over recent years because green is the new black, and everyone wants to look like they are contributing, but not sacrifice design in the meantime. You can see the web version here, the book is still under construction. It's a shame I've sold out of them now, when I've printed more, I'll add them to my shop! As a gift for visiting speakers, the Plymouth Design Society liked to present them with a bottle of Plymouth Gin in a unique box that represented Plymouth. I volunteered my services to design such a box, with Smeaton's Tower as my inspiration! A spot of screen printing... ... a dab of layout design.... and ta-da! I later found out that the particular Designers that received my box were in fact big shot drinks packaging designers. Had I known this previously, I would have run a mile!
For the last few weeks, my housemate and I have been frantically creating work for an art fair in Torquay. Turns out we needn't have rushed, it's been postponed because of the nightmare weather last weekend, twas a trifle soggy... Here are a few pics of the preparation procedures! All products are available to buy, please use the contact form on the home page for enquiries. Let's hope we are more successful this weekend!
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If my blog links take you to external websites, I may be receiving a commission for sharing these products. However, please know that all my reviews are my own thoughts and a true representation, and I would never share anything that I wouldn't or haven't personally used or enjoyed.
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