Art with My Needle ~ Week 45
No progress on the wool project this week. I was far too busy running round the country to meet up with Bloggers, Toyboys, shopping, and trying fast cars!
♦♥♣ ♦♥♣ ♦♥♣
In the meantime another little project I played about with some years ago.
I bought a plain uncoloured silk scarf, with a rolled edge and ready for painting. I always wash the fabric before painting to remove the finish that is on the fabric. These finishes can resist paint and spoil a design. Best results are achieved when the fabric is attached to a frame, being careful to keep it taut.
Alas, I had no frame at the time of the correct shape and size for the job. A large thick sheet of plastic was spread on the floor and I set the freshly paint soaked scarf on it. I wanted to use a Resist technique with Deka Silk paint. These silk paints are inter-mixable, non-toxic, water-based and fixed by ironing! The paints are wash-fast up to 60°C. By sprinkling Rock salt on areas of the wet paint it draws off the paint underneath each crystal - leave the salt in place until the paint has dried completely - at least overnight. If you click on the picture below you will see the pattern that I achieved.
This link will give more information about Resist and much more.
In order to fix the paint lay a sheet of baking parchment on the ironing board, then the fabric and add a top layer of parchment on top. It ensures there are no errors of paint coming off on the iron or the board. It also protects the silk from burning. Move a hot iron over the paper sandwich slowly making sure to heat all the item in turn.
Did you know how to check if a fabric is real silk? No matter what thickness or width of fabric, REAL silk will pass through a wedding ring!
Rhyleysgranny said,
July 7, 2010 at 7:25 am
Is there anything you can’t do? That is lovely. I didn’t know that about the silk and the wedding ring. I would rush off to try but hubby has managed to lose mine (and my Mum’s and his Mum’s)
Grannymar said,
July 7, 2010 at 8:18 am
RG - I am running out of ideas at this stage and have little time to make something new each week.
Marian said,
July 7, 2010 at 9:12 am
I never knew that about silk, that’s a great tip.
kenju said,
July 7, 2010 at 1:10 pm
It is lovely, and I didn’t know that about silk either - but it explains my love of silk dresses when they were in fashion. So lightweight!
wisewebwoman said,
July 7, 2010 at 3:00 pm
I love silk and knew the trick as it also applies to some of the very fine shawls I have knit which have to pass through the wedding ring as well!
Lovely colours there, GM!
XO
WWW
Grannymar said,
July 7, 2010 at 6:49 pm
Marian - Mammy taught me that trick, it only came back to me when writing the post.
Judy - There is nothing like the feel of real silk.
WWW - I am very fond of those blues these days.
Darlene said,
July 7, 2010 at 11:39 pm
I don’t have anything silk anymore so can’t test the wedding ring tip. I do have the ring, though, but no husband to go with it. Do I hear any volunteers?
Grannymar said,
July 8, 2010 at 8:48 am
Darlene - Like you I still have my ring, but seldom wear it anymore as my fingers have swollen. I keep it safe!