fabric prints

20 topics tackled in Monoprinting on Fabric

I have received some great feedback, and I am pleased to share that much of what you want to learn about monoprintng on fabric with the glycerin and gelatin plate is covered in the online printmaking course.

Read on and get excited:

  1. Make fun fabrics to make clothes for your grandchildren.

  2. Learn the benefits of different applications of hand-printing at home.

  3. Discover and master the differences between printing on fabric and paper.

  4. Get ideas on how to incorporating the fabric into your work.

  5. If you are new to the process, then just get started with gelatin printmaking

  6. Obtain lots of time saving information about products, inks and tools

  7. Learn to use objects and color to create a great impression

  8. Discover how to fabric keep looking good and bright

  9. Make choices to keep the soft hand of the fabric

  10. Add printing on fabric to your mixed media skills

  11. Make completely unique fabrics for mixed media projects

  12. Accent woven fabric with printed marks and surface design.

  13. Expand your knowledge of how to compose a pleasing image/pattern

  14. Be inspired new ideas from everyone in the class

  15. Explore and develop your sense of design

  16. Have such messy fun!

  17. Embrace a little play time

  18. Expand the possibilities using the gelatin plate!

  19. Make new fiber art projects

  20. Learn to make clear prints

Wow!

That may even sound overwhelming instead of inspiring, but I have broken down the content into small manageable pieces. So you can take the course and step by step you will be exploring and learning more than you ever though possible.

That is one of the beautiful things about printmaking with the gelatin plate. You can get printing right away. There is not a lot of planning and once you have your studio space set up you can print for a short time and steadily build your skills.

Check out the details of this online printmaking course – Monoprinting Fabric with the Gelatin Plate.

Enjoy a quick slideshow of some student monoprints on fabric

Student Prints on fabric with the gelatin plate from Linda Germain on Vimeo.

20 topics tackled in Monoprinting on Fabric Read More »

Why play with printing on fabric?

Play and guided discovery is how new things are invented. If you follow all the rules, then it is hard to create something new.

Monoprinted fabric on the gelatin plate by Linda Germain

That is why I love gelatin printmaking.

With just a few tools and a pile of recycled fabric I can explore imagery, layering, composition and mark making with immediate feedback.

  1. This immediate result allows for active learning and adjustment.
  2. I don’t have to wait for things to develop like with some dyeing processes.
  3. I don’t have to spend hours planning and carving one design like with block printing.
  4. I don’t need the planning and set up of screen printing.

hand stitched gelatin printed fabric by linda germain

My most favorite tools are found object stencils, grasses, threads and feathers. I can combine these with a few other marks and have hours of printmaking fun.


Recycled fabric ready for monotprinting with the gelatin plate by linda germain

I like to use 100 percent cotton sheets, the old ones that you can find at a boutique thirft store. This makes the materials less precious and creates a freedom to explore. I can print with abandon, and if the layering idea did not work, then no loss. It was not a precious, expensive piece of fabric.

I like the exploration so much that I have piles of fabric prints that could be transformed into a finished product. Seven project ideas for monoprints on fabric:

  1. Stitch, mat and frame
  2. Stitch, piece and cover a journal
  3. Trim and make into and iron on patch for a tote bag
  4. Cut and quilt into coasters
  5. Rip and wrap into fabric balls
  6. Crop and combine into pillow covers
  7. Sew and quilt into table runners

What about you? Do you have fiber projects that would be transformed by using one of a kind monoprinted fabrics of your own making?

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Do you want to print your own Fabrics?
Get the instruction, support and encouragement you need to succeed!

Monoprinting on Fabric - online printmaking course 

  • Make  & modify the glycerin and gelatin plate
  • Make the most of your marks on fabric
  • Capture the details with mere hand pressure
  • Create one of a kind fabrics

Additionally, you will receive a weekly email about printmaking, ideas, tips and courses.

Join us today and start having fun!

Why play with printing on fabric? Read More »

Printing on Fabric Pillow with stencils

Hand printed pillow covers - Linda Germain

This past week I was making hand printed fabric pillow covers. It was fun to hand draw the text on to freezer paper. Then cut out and iron on to the fabric.

I recycled the pillow forms from local thrift stores and Extra’s For creative Reuse. The fabric was a table cloth and curtain panel.

Freezer paper stencil used to print pillow covers

Freezer paper can be ironed on to the fabric to be used as a one time stencil. It is easy to cut too.

Color tests for hand printing fabric

I did quick color tests on a scrap piece of fabric. I think that all the colors work. It just depends on the message and effect that I want to create. Subtle colors are good to use at the beginning because they hide mistakes.

The next class that I will be offering is Monoprinting Fabric. Check out the details and mark your calendar.

Want to Hand Print Unique Fabric?

Join today and get notice of future classes.

You will also get weekly emails about printmaking, tips, tools and classes.

Printing on Fabric Pillow with stencils Read More »

Piles of Prints on Fabric

Collection of gelatin prints on fabric and a clothesline of light colored fabric for more gelatin printing
Collection of gelatin prints on fabric and a clothesline of light colored fabric for more printmaking

I believe the more prints I make, the better they get. With each print I learn something about

  • Layering
  • Texture
  • Color
  • inks
  • printing surfaces or
  • composition

I brought that stack of prints to the local laundromat to heat set the inks – 45 minutes in a hot commercial dryer. Then I stopped by the local thrift store and gathered up a few more big pieces of white fabric.

No matter how many pieces of fabric I tear to size and iron, I always need more. I like to work up 4 or more prints at a time.

Check the current workshop list for a class that would interest you.

Want to Hand Print Unique Fabric?

Join today and get notice of future classes.

You will also get weekly emails about printmaking, tips, tools and classes.

Piles of Prints on Fabric Read More »

Monoprinting large piece of Fabric

A yard of monoprinted fabric - Linda Germain
A yard of monoprinted fabric – Linda Germain

The gelatin and glycerin printing plate is small, but that does not have to limit the size of the fabric that you want to customize with your own design.

In this piece, I use a small round piece of the gelatin plate and used it like a stamp to print several layers of circles.

Things to do when printing a larger piece of cloth:

  • Iron the fabric
  • Set up a slightly padded surface to print on
  • Stick the small piece of gelatin to a small piece of plexiglass
  • Ink the plate and stamp away

Use your imagination and play!

If you would like to explore this process with a group of like minded artists then sign up for the special interest list below.

Registration for:

Make Monotypes – Focus on Fiber – Printing on Fabric will open soon.

Want to Hand Print Unique Fabric?

Join today and get notice of future classes.

You will also get weekly emails about printmaking, tips, tools and classes.

Monoprinting large piece of Fabric Read More »