By Marlene McPherson, Outlook Writer
Karen explaining the process of fabric painting. - Photo by Marlene McPherson
KAREN DOUGLAS doesn't consider herself an artist but whoever comes across the paintings she does on fabrics and the items she produces from them would agree that she is in fact, an excellent artist.
She is adept at this craft and for 20 years has worked within the comfort of the utility room of her Nutts River, Lyssons residence. She takes pride in delivering a professional finish to accessories for the home like drapes and curtains and spreads.
In the Nutts River home, fabric painting is a family affair as Mrs. Douglas is assisted by her young son, Jason, who does some of the sketches, and her husband who helps her with the sewing. Yes, Mr. Douglas jumps around the machine and in no time the spread or curtain is ready. And he says he can do any aspect of the project from painting on the fabric to making the article.
Eager to impart her knowledge, Mrs. Douglas volunteers her services with several senior citizens associations, challenging their members to be creative on fabric to personalise their living spaces. And now she challenges us. We are sure you have, at one time or another, experienced this satisfying feeling of completing a project on your own. Let's paint. Let's try to personalise our own living space.
Use cotton or cotton mix materials and water based paint. This latter can be had from craft shops. Use a room with good cross ventilation to aid with quick drying of paint. This will also prevent smudging of the paint.
The process
Collect materials: palette, paints, brushes, rags, your pattern and material. Place all on the table that you'll use.
1. Rinse out and dry material that you'll be working on.
2. Iron the material
3. Transfer the pattern onto materials by tracing with a fine-point permanent marker.
4. Blend colours if needed or use paint straight - always place the amount needed on palette.
5. After painting, allow to dry at room temperature
6. Iron the material
N.B. The items can be fully sewn before the painting is done or they can be done afterwards.
Your personalised fabric painting can be done for special occasions and you will feel a sense of pride, completing this.
