HAND CARVING FABRIC STAMPS
by Becky Ivancic
It's easy, fun and addictive, if you just remember a few simple tips. For ideas look anywhere and everywhere! Whatever you are into, it can stamped on a shirt. If you are into Medieval Reenacting or costuming, ermine spots and fleur-de-lis are obvious favorites for stamping on tunics, banners, or tents. Sci-fi and fantasy fans can express themselves in their favorite way, even if you are stuck in cutesy cow and pig heaven in your part of the world. (No insult intended. Really! I love Ohio.)

In planning your design remember that fabric stamps are big, bold, mostly solid images, with very little detail. To get an idea of what I mean check out the Hot Potatoes ads in RSM. What lines you do carve into your image should be wide, so that the fabric paint doesn't clog up and muddy your image. If your details are bold, you can be more liberal in applying your fabric paint making the stamped image brighter.

Transfer your image to the carving material in your usual way, and start carving. If you normally carve shallow grooves, you will need to carve more deeply for fabric designs. Again this will keep your fabric paint from clogging up the details. Mount your carving, if this is what you usually do. Note: ALWAYS test your stamps and fabric paint on scrap fabric before starting on a piece of clothing!!

You probably noticed that I keep mentioning fabric PAINT. I carve exclusively on Chaselle EZCut and I know that for EZCut (at least) - fab-dabs and stamp cleaners are not a good idea. It changes the feel of the carving material, making it harder. This does not TOTALLY ruin the carvings, but they don't clean up as nicely or accept ink as well. My advice: use fabric paint! Most fabric stampers swear by Decka but to tell you the truth, I've never tried it. Any fabric paint will work, as long as you clean off your carvings immediately. Whatever brand you use, take special care in cleaning up your carvings. Don't scrub, remember what erasers are intended to do.

To get started: pour some fabric paint on some sort of palette. I use a paper plate. Take a regular facial sponge and dab at the paint until it is evenly distributed on the end of the sponge you are using. Then dab an even amount all over the stamp. It will take a little practice to know how much is enough. Be sure to line the inside of the clothing with a cardboard or heavy paper as some of the paint may bleed through. For a first project I suggest a fall leaf or Indian corn. Choose several fall colors and pour them onto the paper plate. For this project you can use a crumpled paper towel instead of a facial sponge. Dab it into several colors and apply the paint liberally to the stamp. Then stamp it! The beauty of this is that it doesn't matter if the details get clogged up on this project. A paint filled vein in your fall leaf is just as interesting as a clear one! This way you are free to experiment with varying amounts of paint and application methods without ruining the final result. That's a big plus!

For washing the fabric, follow the instructions on the fabric paint you are using. Some require cold water washing. Some can be washed with everything else. Fabric paints can be found in most stamp stores, craft stores, and places that sell fabric or shirt decorating supplies.


Go Back to Tabloid Trash