Guest Lee Riggins-Hartman develops an embroidered and embellished effect on clothes by performing a technique known as "paint-stitching." Special kinds of paints and patterns are available to make this process similar to "coloring by numbers."
Lee arrived with an outstanding example: Her wedding gown, onto which Tulip Pearl paint had been applied to give the illusion that the dress was covered with pearls. Another product, Colorpoint Stitch Paint, provided the appearance of needlepoint. Lee also demonstrated Easy Point paint, which produced larger dots and other designs, visible on the clothing modeled during this segment.
When performing any type of fabric painting, Lee recommends always squeezing a little paint on a paper towel and wiping off the tip before touching it to the garment. Also, it is a good idea to place a foam board in between the front and back of the garment to have a flat, solid surface to work on.
To apply most fabric paints, just hold the bottle straight up and squeeze as you outline and fill in the design. When finished, allow the paint to dry according to the instructions.
Duncan's Painted Fabric Tips and Care - Prepare Your Project - Pre-wash all fabric (including appliques) to remove sizing. Do not use fabric softener. Use shirt-board or cardboard covered with plastic to prevent paint from seeping through.
- Protect Work Areas - Paints are permanent when dry. When using fabric appliques, select fabric content that matches the garment. This will reduce the chance of fabric "puckering."
- Dimensional Painting - Practice on paper towel or scrap paper to establish consistent rhythm and flow. Squeeze paint directly from bottle. Drag tip along surface of fabric. The harder you squeeze and the slower you move the tip, the thicker the line. For long lines, paint a series of connected lines every few inches. This creates stress points so the paint will wear better. To remove air bubbles in bottle, gently tap bottle against edge of table with cap on. Use a straight pin to straighten an uneven line.
- Brush Out Painting - Mix Basic Brush Paint Extender with Dimensional Paint on paper plate or other surface to create a brushable mixture. Use a brush, sponge, or other tool to create a non-dimensional look. While brushed-out paint is still damp, highlight with dimensional lines.
- If You Make a Mistake - While paint is still wet, try:
- Rubbing alcohol - may change color of some fabrics; test on hidden spot first.
- Wet wipes containing alcohol.
- Embellishing your blunder. Use a little artistic license to add some originality to the design.
- Not all spills can be removed when wet. Once paint is dry, it cannot be completely removed from any fabric.
- Wash and Care - Allow paint to dry 24 hours before wearing; 72 hours before washing. Hand wash or machine wash in warm water with mild detergent (no bleach). Warm water rinse (never cold, or paint might crack). Dry just until damp; then hang dry.
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