I’ve been playing a bit more with mandalas, but this time on fabric.
To begin this process I was inspired by the Painted Hearts article by Joanne Sharp in Cloth Paper Scissors. I thought I’d try the hearts and make Dave a card for Valentine’s Day. Joanne used watercolors on the fabric which I had never tried.
Here are my results with the hearts.
And my card for Dave
I loved how the watercolors looked on the fabric so I just had to try this technique with my mandalas. I started by tracing a mandala I had drawn in the past. I placed the fabric over the drawing and traced it using a air soluble pen. If you don’t draw mandalas you can use one you like (or really any image) and trace it using a water/air soluble pen. Or like the hearts, you can just draw it free hand.
Then I added watercolor.
This is the first layer of watercolor. It dries much lighter than when it is first applied. (I’m using the Sakura Koi 24 Assorted Watercolors Field Sketch Set with Brush. They can be purchased online or at local art stores.)
After it dried I added another layer of watercolor.
I finished it by adding a background.
Once it was dry I made my quilt sandwich placing a piece of felt between the top and the back fabric.
Now it was time to head to the sewing machine. I’m pretty new to free motion so I decided on this mandala since I thought it would be easy to sew with little stopping and starting. However, the leaves were a challenge.
Then I used the serger to finish the edges. You will notice that the air/water soluble purple pen hasn’t worn off yet.
A closeup picture
Here is another one. I decided not to finish this one – yet!
I thought about using some textile paint or some Jacquard Lumiere to give it some bling, but really liked how it looked. Maybe next time.
This is such a fun technique and totally addicting. I have several more pieces on my work table waiting to be taken to the sewing machine. If you’ve not tried watercolor on fabric, I highly recommend it!
Hi Lynda
Just wanted to tell you I loved what you did in this post, the water color mandalas and hearts turned out great. Question:
I’m gathering the water colored material can not be washed?
If I wanted to use this technique for a wall hanging, I guess it wouldn’t matter. I have done large latergical banners for churches and thought this idea would work, it would be time consuming but hey, I’m retired now…😀
Thanks for sharing your gifts and talents.
Debbie Aristone Jeans
Canada
Lynda,
I love it! What kind of brush did you use?
I make small little quilts with my hand dyed fabric, using watercolor is another thing to try.
Thanks for sharing.
Judy
What would be a way to make these more permanent on the fabric?
Your mandalas are lovely.
PS I’ve taken your suggestion and I’m teaching classes at two venues this month. Marbling on cloth with shaving cream and a variation on Jennie Rayment’s twiddle and tweak methods.
Luann recently posted..Why I Use Spoonflower to Print Fabric
Debbie, Thanks! Yeah, I would not wash them and just like you said, for a wall hanging it wouldn’t matter. I love how the watercolors look and would make a beautiful banner. However, you could get a somewhat watercolor look with ice dyeing. Just an idea!! Thank YOU for stopping by.
Hi Judy, I’m using the water brush that came with the Koi watercolor set. I really wasn’t sure I’d like the watercolor, but I absolutely love it!! Let me know what you think of it. Thanks for dropping by.
Luann, I really don’t know. So glad you are teaching. It’s so much fun but not sure when you find time for it!! Thanks for dropping by and commenting.
Lynda – this looks like something I’m interested in trying – when you place the cloth over the picture to trace, is the cloth backed with anything to give it body so it won’t wrinkle while tracing? Also, the special air pen you use, does a craft chain have this? Thanks
Sue, I ironed my fabric first and then placed it over my drawing. I didn’t back the fabric. You could, but I didn’t find it necessary. The marker I am using is Mark-B-Gone, an air and water soluble ink pen. Not sure you could find them at a craft store. Most fabric stores carry them. I just checked Joann’s online store and they have several listed. I bought mine at the local Joanns. Would love to see if you try this. It’s fun!