Last summer I had so much fun with sun printing. If you’ve not read my project from last summer, check it out here.
I liked those pieces, but wanted more vibrant color so I headed off to Blick’s to buy some Seta Color Transparent paints. There, I sat on the floor trying to decide on a trio of colors. I was looking to break out of my usual mauve and teal colors and ended with three colors: Buttercup, Emerald Green, and Pernod Yellow.
On my first attempt I realized that the Pernod Yellow pretty much disappears so I didn’t need to waste it on this project.
Let’s get started!
Wash fabric that is at least 50% cotton. I used a vintage handkerchief I picked up a while back. Dry and then iron.
Next lay fabric on a board either covered with plastic or a garbage bag. Smooth the fabric out flat or as much as possible.
Mix 2 parts water to 1 part paint in a jar. I found some old jars around the house with lids. Any leftover paint can be used later for another project.

Spray the fabric with water until it is wet.

Once it’s completely wet, start painting. Cheap foam brushes will work fine.

Now to add masks. These can be anything. I used some ferns from the garden. You can use stencils, die cut shapes, coins, paper clips, string – the list is endless.

To make the ferns stay down, I had to spray them and press them with my fingers. I also added sea salt. If you use salt, make sure to spritz the area first so that they will work their magic. They won’t do much on dry material. Be sure to use large grain salt. Regular table salt won’t show up.
Then it’s off to the outside in the sun. I just laid the plastic and board with fabric on the ground.

Now is the hardest part – waiting! I don’t know how many times I ran out to the front to see how it was doing. It was pretty hot and sunny that day so it didn’t take long and it was dry.

Here is a closeup.

You will see there are faint lines on the fabric. That was the texture of the handkerchief. Notice how the salt spread in the color making an interesting effect. The ferns turned out so sharp and clear.
We have one more step. This needs to be heat set with an iron and it’s ready to be used. It also can be washed later if needed.
That’s it. Easy and fun! I’m off Saturday to pick up a few more colors. This is another project that would be so much fun with the kids or us big kids!
Oh Lynda, this turned out SO beautiful! Great job. One thing I’ve learned with sun printing is to make sure everything you lay on it is as flat as you can get it. Some things you have to put weight on. This is just wonderful, the colors and the printing with the ferns. Now what will you do with it?
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Kathy, Thanks! I really had to wet down the ferns to get them to “stick” to the fabric and lay flat. Now you’re not suppose to ask me what I’m going to do with it!! It’s all about the process!!
What a cool effect. I love your dying posts, especially these ones with plants. I could see making a small quilt with lots of different samples of these that could really fun. Thank you for sharing!
Eileen, Thanks so much. Thank you for reading and stopping by to comment.
Very pretty. I especially love how the salt left cool effects on the fabric. I’m definitely going to try this. Thanks for sharing.
Stumbled ya, too, btw. 🙂
Cheers,
Tracy
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Tracy, Yep, I really liked how the salt turned out too. Let me know if you try it. It’s so easy and so much fun! Thanks for the stumble and for dropping by.
Lynda
wauw cool. I like this. I love the colors.
Wanda, Thanks! Lynda
This is such a great idea! I love it! Found you via the Crafterminds promotional linky! 🙂
Sew, So glad you found me!! Thanks for commenting and dropping by! Lynda
Visiting from Crafterminds – love this project! This is the first time I have heard of this – I must try it!
Sharyl, It is so easy and so much fun! Thanks for dropping by. Lynda
Thanks for sharing this cool idea over at Crafterminds. I liked it so much I linked to it today on Dollar Store Crafts: http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2011/06/diy-sun-printed-fabric/
Can’t wait to try it! Just need a sunny day in Oregon! 🙂
Is this specific to cotton? Will it work on lighter fabrics for creating scarves? This is where my dreaming is taking me… flowing scarves with ferns….will silk work? only natural fibers?
Jo, Seta colors can be used on all kinds of fabrics. However, for the sunprinting technique, it needs to be at least part cotton. Oooh, the flowing fern scarves… I’d love to see those. And definitely you can use silk. Let me know how yours work out. I do have a silk scarf I’ve been wanting to play with. Thanks for dropping by.
Heather, Thanks so much for posting a link on your site. I know what you mean about sunny. It’s been raining forever here. Thanks for dropping by. Lynda
This is soooo cool! I can’t wait to try it – thanks so much for the tutorial!
I love this! I found it thanks to Dollar Store Crafts, and plan to do it with my daughter, who’s 6. So, how, exactly do you use the iron to set the color?
Love your blog! I’m definitely going to go browse your archives a bit and and subscribe to your RSS.
Thanks!!
Aviva, So glad you found my blog! Welcome! After the fabric is dry, iron it. That’s all there is to it. Don’t forget to check out my other sunprinting blog post at
https://lyndaheines.blog/2010/08/fun-in-the-sun-printing/ where I use acrylic paints. Fun project with kids. Your daughter will love it! Lynda
I found it thanks to Dollar Store Crafts, and plan to do it with my daughter, who’s 6. Sew, So glad you found me!! Thanks!!
Wonderful post, definitely want to try this. 🙂 I have Setacolor Opaque at home but not transparent, do you know if Setacolor Opaque would work as well?
Sherry, I don’t know. My understanding was that Setacolor Transparents were for sun printing. You might try it and just see what happens. Thanks for dropping by.
Oh my goodness! Cute!
Thanks for post…plan to do this, as a playdate, w. toddler t-shirts.
Are Seta paints ‘safe’ to wear?
Thanks!! 🙂
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Elan, That is an old post which I should update. Be sure after you’ve sun printed and the fabric is dry that you iron to set it which I said in the post. Then wash and dry like any other fabric and will be safe to wear. Thanks for dropping by. Would love to see your tshirts when you get them done.