CREATE Rose Hughes Stamping up some fabric

Seed Pods, 16" x 16", by Rose Hughes

ave you ever wanted to dabble in creating fabric? HUsing rubber stamps along with fabric paint is an by Rose Hughes easy and fun way to get started, but if you really want to dive into designing then you may want to try carving

out your own stamps.

2 American Quilter • May 2014 Rose Hughes CREATE

onto paper with a pencil. Draw over the pencil lines MATERIALS several times. Turn the paper over and center it on the block. Go over the design lines with a blunted drawing tool to transfer pencil markings onto the block. With the pattern transferred you’re ready to start carving (be sure to read my “Carving Guidelines” on the sidebar). With your finest linoleum cutter tip, carve on the lines of your design image. Change the tip to a small gouge and gently carve out the inside areas of the design. For my Seed Pods project I took one design then carved it onto 2 linoleum blocks—once to create the positive design, and again to cut out the opposite areas to create the negative image.

Line drawing of a design to be stamped on fabric Pencil Tracing paper Blunted drawing tool such as a closed ball point pen or blunt knitting needle Rubber carving or linoleum block Linoleum cutters along with basic blades Fabric for stamping Fabric paint Paint tray 4" wide brayer Foam brushes

We’ll begin by walking through the steps that show you how to carve an image onto either a linoleum or rubber surface so that it can be stamped onto fab- ric. But, this is only the start. Once the basic image is stamped onto the fabric you’ll have opened the door for endless possibilities that may include adding detail with more fabric, threadplay, fabric markers, or beads. Use these painted fabrics in quilts, household deco- rator items, or clothes. With a simple design and some basic tools, the possibilities are indeed endless. Enjoy the ride! Making the stamp Start your fabric stamping project by carving the stamp. To prepare the stamp, first transfer the design onto the linoleum block. To do this, trace the pattern

May 2014 • American Quilter 3 CREATE Rose Hughes

Stamping the fabric Tip: Try out your new stamp on a practice piece be- fore using it on your project fabric. Squeeze or pour a small amount of fabric paint into a paint tray. Using the flat edge of a foam brush, apply Carving Guidelines a nice even layer of paint to the raised portions of the • Carving tool blades are very sharp, and most carved design. Carefully, turn the stamp over and place are designed for use on materials such it carved-side down onto the fabric. Hold the fabric in as hard linoleum. Always think safety place as you turn the stamp over again. Run the brayer first: Carve carefully, change and store once or twice over the fabric side applying pressure as blades carefully. When changing or you go; by using the brayer the paint will only transfer storing the carving tool blades, follow to the raised areas. Now take a look at the fabric and the instructions that come with your determine if there are any areas of the stamp that might particular set. be better with a bit of touch-up with the carving tools • As you carve, be careful not to slice before continuing. your fingers. Keep the carving han- When you are happy with the carved block, load it dle moving away from you, insuring with paint and stamp on your project fabric in the same that your hands are holding the carv- manner as before, working your way through your de- ing base behind the cutting area. sired layout. Let the fabric panel dry, and then heat-set • Cut carefully into the surface with the paint following the manufacturer’s directions. the tool, not going too deeply. Light, consistent pressure is re- Completing the project quired. Use the fabric as any other in a quilting project. For • As you approach the end of a line, my Seed Pods quilt, I printed 4 pods on one panel. After slowly let up the cutting pressure. layering, I quilted around the stamped blocks to create • For curves, turn the carving base, the effect of sashing and a border. I quilted on some of not the tool. the major lines and in the interior of the seed pods. I add- ed embellishments and a binding to finish the project. All materials courtesy of Meinke Toy fiber art supplies

Seed Pods by Rose Hughes ©2014

4 American Quilter • May 2014