How to Create a Pattern Fabric Painting
Pattern fabric painting is seen frequently on wearable-art T-shirts, but you also see it on jeans, jackets, hats and totes. By using specific art tools, the correct transfer method and fabric paints, you will be able to reinvent your wardrobe into wearable art with your own creative patterns.
Things You'll Need
- Transfer pencil
- Transfer paper
- Tracing paper
- Charcoal pencil (optional)
- Disappearing ink pen (optional)
- Iron (optional)
Instructions
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Select the pattern you want to transfer. Start out with a simple pattern, such as a large flower or leaf. The less details your pattern has, the easier it will be to transfer onto fabric. Read any fabric-content suggestions that come with your fabric paints prior to attempting a pattern transfer. A 50/50 cotton/polyester blend works best. It's a real good idea to wash the fabric or garment prior to transferring in order to remove any sizing from the fabric.
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Sketch your pattern as your initial guide. Use a dark pencil for your initial sketch in order to have sharp visible lines when transferring your pattern onto tracing paper. If your pattern is not uniform or contains letter or words, you will have to draw a reverse image of your pattern in order for the transfer to come out right.
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Select a transfer pencil, charcoal pencil, disappearing ink pen or any transfer tool you feel comfortable working with. If you opt to use a disappearing ink pen, make sure it is washable and that the pen marks will disappear within a specific time frame.
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Draw or trace your pattern onto your transfer sheet. Keep a steady hand, with the same amount of hand pressure, while tracing your pattern. Certain transfer pencils can smudge, as can charcoal. To prevent smudging, make sure your hand isn't resting on the sheet. Practice on fabric scraps prior to transferring onto your project garment or fabric.
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Transfer your pattern onto your fabric. If you are working with a light color and lightweight fabric, you can place your original sketch underneath it and trace directly onto your project fabric. If you are working with a dark color or heavyweight fabric and using a transfer sheet, make sure you purchase transfer paper that you can draw on. Turn your pattern paper face down onto your fabric and lightly iron. Only your transfer pencil lines will appear on the surface.
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