The possibilities are endless for this fun and easy printing process which uses the sun to create images on paper or fabric.
Course Fabric
Cuisine Dye/Printing
Prep Time 40 minutesminutes
Total Time 1 hourhour
Author JoElle
Ingredients
General Ingredients Needed for BOTH PROCESSES
Synthrapol Liquid Detergent,JACQUARD
Template made from cardboard or dark cardstock
X-acto knife & ruler or Scissors
Piece of smooth cardboard, at least 2" larger than your template
Piece of glass, at least 1" larger than your template(I took mine from a picture frame)
Medium binder clips
Variety of stickers, trinkets, leaves and/or shapes,flatter is better
A sink for rinsing
SUNSHINE
Ingredients for Liquid Dye Process
Solar Fast Sunlight Developed Dye,JACQUARD
100% Cotton Fabric, I used Heavy Muslin
Paint brush, about 1" wide
Ingredients for Cyanotype Process
Cyanotype Pretreated Fabric Sheets,JACQUARD
Instructions
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS For: Both Processes
If you are using YOUR OWN FABRIC (liquid dye process only), pre-wash it with Synthrapol - I used about 1 Tablespoon in my washing machine detergent dispenser. WASH WITH HOT WATER then dry your fabric. Ironing is recommended.
Make A Template: pick a simple shape that is easy to cut out. Think big monogram letters, silhouette of a state or country, basic shapes like heart, house, dog ... Use Google Images to look for 'Silhouette shapes' then print and cut. IMPORTANT! make sure your image is cut out of the middle of a larger piece of cardboard or dark colored cardstock. SIMPLE WHITE PRINTING PAPER WILL LET THE SUN THROUGH!
Working in a dim room with no sunlight, layer a piece of cardboard on the bottom for stability. Then place your fabric OR Pretreated Fabric Sheet. Then place your template. Binder clip all that together around the edges to prevent moving.
Now you are ready to move on to the specific directions for whichever process you are using.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR: Liquid Dye Process
Make sure you read the General Instructions first - especially about pre-washing your fabric.Also, with this process YOU MUST WORK FAST! Have your trinkets, stickers etc. already picked out and have an idea of where you want them.
The benefit of using the Liquid Dye Process is that you have color choices whereas Cyanotype is always blue. IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Certain colors of the Solar Fast dye are harder to wash out in the end process - THEY MAY STAIN YOUR FABRIC YELLOW in the areas you want to be white! These colors are: Golden Yellow, Green, Teal, Avocado, Sepia and Black
WORKING IN A DIM ROOM WITH NO SUNLIGHT: Pour about 2 tablespoons of Solar Fast Dye into a durable cup. Use your paint brush to apply an even layer of the dye to your fabric. Make sure you paint an area about 1/4" to 1/2" larger than your actual cutout shape in case your template shifts a little.
Working quickly so that your dye does not dry, place your trinkets, stickers etc. down on the fabric. The sun will NOT color the areas covered by these shapes.
Place the glass over the top of your shapes and VERY CAREFULLY, place your project out in the direct sun (noon-2pm is the best time as the sun is directly above and will not cast shadows).
Development will take from 5 to 20 minutes. Over exposure is always preferable to under exposure. I almost always do 15 minutes.
Take your project inside to a sink. Remove the glass, trinkets, template and binder clips. Rinse your fabric with HOT water. I gently use a baby brush to help get the dye out. Rinse for 5 minutes or until the water runs clear. Fill the sink with fresh hot water and pour about a lidful of Synthrapol into the water. Keep agitating your fabric in the water for another 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse well and dry.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR: Cyanotype Process
Make sure you read the General Instructions first
Working in a dim room with no sunlight, place your trinkets, stickers etc. down on the fabric. The sun will NOT color the areas covered by these shapes.
Place the glass over the top of your shapes and VERY CAREFULLY, place your project out in the direct sun (noon-2pm is the best time as the sun is directly above and will not cast shadows).
Development will take from 5 to 15 minutes. Over exposure is always preferable to under exposure. I usually do about 12 minutes.
Take your project inside to a sink. Remove the glass, trinkets, template and binder clips. Rinse your fabric with COLD water. I gently use a baby brush to help get the dye out. Rinse for 5 minutes or until the water runs clear. Fill the sink with fresh cold water and pour about a lidful of Synthrapol into the water. Keep agitating your fabric in the water for another 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse well and dry.