Memory quilts are a great way to keep or display family treasures. You can use grandma's buttons, mother's doilies, photos or sea coral you gathered on a family outing. Just follow these instructions.
Moldable Foam Process
Materials:
moldable foam stamp
material heat gun or hot plate
objects to impress - lace, buttons, pasta, shells, rubber bands, plastic net, etc.
masking tape
fabric paint
sponge applicator
take-out containers or plastic plates
gloves
fabric - choose a smooth weave, white or light-colored fabric that has been washed and ironed
Steps:
- Hold the moldable foam 4" to 6" away from your heat source for about 30 seconds or until the foam surface has softened. When the foam is ready, it will look like it's sweating. Wear gloves so you won't burn your hands in the process.
- Within five seconds, press the warm foam over a textured object. Press down evenly with the flat of your hand or with a large book. Hold down without moving for about 25 seconds.
- Lift the foam off of the object. The texture will be imprinted into the foam.
- To create a thick printing pad work surface, spread the fabric over a piece of felt, and smooth out any wrinkles. Tape the edges of the fabric at intervals to prevent fabric from shifting as you work.
- Using a sponge applicator, apply fabric paint to the surface of the imprinted moldable foam. Use one color or a variety of colors on the image.
- Press the painted foam to the fabric, then lift off carefully. The image will appear in reverse on the cloth.
- Wash off the foam piece and let dry. Heat the foam again when you want to erase the old pattern and make a new one.
Photo Transfer Process
Materials:
iron-transfer dyeing paper
photocopies of a photograph with a high contrast
100% polyester fabric or 50/50 blend slightly larger than the photo
white paper sheets
cardboard or old sheets
tissue paper
iron
Steps:
- Photocopy a high contrast photo. Try a variety of settings and machines. The image will be reversed when transferred to fabric.
- Cover a work surface with a piece of smooth cardboard or several layers of old sheets. Lay the photocopied photograph face up, and place the Iron-Transfer Dyeing paper color side down onto the photocopy.
Cover with tissue paper and iron. Cover both with tissue paper and iron with a hot, dry iron for a count of about 20 seconds. Allow to cool slightly before pulling the papers apart slowly. The color from the dyeing paper will adhere to the toner in the photocopy. - Lay the photocopy face down on your fabric. Cover with a clean sheet of tissue paper, and iron to transfer. The photo image will transfer to the cloth permanently.
Resources Magic Stamp moldable foam blocks
Clearsnap Inc.
Website:
www.clearsnap.com
Lumiere & Neopaque textile paint
Rupert, Gibbon & Spider Inc. / Jacquard Products
Website:
www.jacquardproducts.com
Transforming Fabric: 30 Creative Ways to Paint, Dye, and Pattern Cloth
by Carolyn A. Dahl
Krause Publications, 2004
Carolyn A. Dahl
Website:
www.carolyndahlstudio.com
iron-transfer dyeing paperCarl Manufacturing
Website:
www.carlmfg.com
Transforming Fabric: 30 Creative Ways to Paint, Dye, and Pattern Cloth
by Carolyn A. Dahl
Krause Publications, 2004
Carolyn A. Dahl
Website:
www.carolyndahlstudio.com
Guests Carolyn A. Dahl
Artist and author
Website:
www.carolyndahlstudio.com
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