The seasons are a changing, and no matter the weather where you live,
it's time to take advantage of sun printing!
Ideally the weather is hot, dry and windless for sun printing.
Pull out a table, or a large piece of board. . .
. . . grab some paint, fabric and masks (i.e. leaves, cut outs, stencils, hardware, etc) and get busy.
The basic instructions for Sun Printing are:
1) Wet your fabric with either a spray bottle or soak the fabric in water and squeeze out the excess water. Lay the fabric on a table or board which can be placed in the sun.
2) Mix your paint of choice (see photo above) at about a two to one ratio - two parts water to one part paint - and, using a large foam or bristled paint brush, spread the paints across the fabric. Use one or multiple colors. It's all up to your creativity.
3) Place leaves, masks, keys, nuts and bolts, or whatever you like over the top of the painted fabric.
4) Leave fabric in the sun until the fabric has dried. The sun heat sets the paint and so it is now wash fast, however, I am a creature of habit and always iron my fabrics before I wash them.
This process is much shorter, and more dramatic, in dry climates rather than in humid climates as the process is really working by evaporation. As the water travels from under the masks, it draws the paint with it out from under the masks and creates an outline of the image.
But with the season's changing, maybe the sun isn't shining right now. . .
. . . or it's the middle of the night and you want to create. . .
What's an artist to do???!!!
Well don't panic because. . .
Guess what?!
There ARE ways to Sun Print WITHOUT the sun!
AND, I will tell you all about them in the next blog post. . .
In the meantime, leave a comment here about your experiences (if any) with sun printing for your opportunity to win FOUR Sun Printed Fat Quarters, TWO yards of Mistyfuse, and A Mini GODDESS SHEET! The winner will be selected and announced on September 30th!
Don't forget to enter your email address over there on the right hand side so you will not miss the next post about how to Sun Print without the sun! There will also be a post about layering Sun Prints, as well as a post with a fun project to make once you have created your sun prints (clue: the project uses Mistyfuse!)
I've not had much success with sun printing, and it's raining right now! Looks like I need to know how to do it without the sun and then get out and try it some more when the sun is shining!
ReplyDeleteAlways fun to sun print...never know for sure what you'll get..drawn back you may not get the same piece again if you have a favorite print. HA
ReplyDeleteAlways fun to sun print...never know for sure what you'll get..drawn back you may not get the same piece again if you have a favorite print. HA
ReplyDeleteBeautiful prints, and while I don't work with fabric (often), I have done the same thing using paper. Fortunately we live in a climate that is both hot and dry in the summer.
ReplyDeleteLove to sun print! I'm looking forward to your next post.
ReplyDeleteI've never tried sunprinting - and I'm intrigued to know how you sunprint without the sun!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this.I love sunprinting.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this post! I've always admired sun-printed fabric but I assumed that it was complicated and required chemicals, so I haven't done any printing. But just fabric paint and the sun? I'm going to try this! I'm looking forward to reading the next posts. And thanks for the chance to win this beautiful fabric too!
ReplyDeleteI have done a bit of sun printing. Often hard to find a wind free, but sunny day where I live. Do love what the fabric looks like when it's finished.
ReplyDeleteVery nice, I did see those tiny dog bones printed too, sew cute! I have tried this a few times and enjoyed the results, however, the first time didn't put enough "prints" on the fabric, so the next time I did this used many items and the results were much better. The garage always has so many objects to use when sun printing. Can't wait to see the next post too.
ReplyDeleteI have sun printed in 2 different ways. One with setacolor transparent fabric paints, the other with Lumia Inkodye. I have not had much luck with setacolor but with inkodye! Wow! Try it! Print out a 'negative' onto transparency and the place that on the inkodye painted fabric. 20-30 minutes in the sun and wow!
ReplyDeleteI have done a little sun printing -some turned out ok and the rest, we will just call it a learning experience!
ReplyDeleteYou've reminded me that I should get some sun printing done before it gets too cold ..... I enjoy the technique very much .....I have a collection of items that I use as masks....thanks for the inspiration
ReplyDeleteI love sun printing! I need to schedule some time to play with this technique again! Thanks for inspiring me!
ReplyDeleteHave only tried it a couple of time with varying results. Would like to do more one of these days.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like fun. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI tried once years ago and my results were certainly not as striking as yours. Maybe I should try again.
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa... Yes, the slant of the sun rays play a huge part in the quick and intentional dry time, and your pieces are always great! We lost the best time when July went by the way side this summer... best month ever for sun prints.
ReplyDeleteBethany
Sun printing is definitely one of my favorite techniques and I love seeing what directions others are headed with it. Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThere is always an unknown feature/result that happens, love the expectation of the unexpected!
ReplyDeleteI did sun printing several years. I must have added to much water to the paint because my prints are not as sharp as yours. I'm looking forward to the next post about doing this inside. Just when I thought I had the perfect spot to dry my fabric either there would be a breeze or a cloud would drift over it.
ReplyDeleteI love to sunprint with leaves and flowers and have even planted Ginkgo and Mulberry trees so I can have all the leaves I need to play with... Almost anything in my gardens can end up being used for prints.
ReplyDeleteI wish my results with sun printing were as good as yours. It's one technique I've had little success with, except inadvertently. My last attempt involved putting a thin piece of clear plastic over the plant material to hold it in place. Don't do that; it doesn't allow for a good print. I look forward to your information on printing without sun (and that pesky wind).
ReplyDeletethis looks so awesome - I would like to try it!
ReplyDeletethis looks so awesome - I would like to try it!
ReplyDeleteI love sunprinting but the wind seems to be a factor where we live and at our cottage. I would love to try it with grow lights but wonder what my kids will think if I ask for grow lights for christmas....
ReplyDeletesteamed method too
ReplyDeleteI've done a little sun printing with leaves. Love it.
ReplyDelete