Rhonda

I am interested in trying my hand at printing my own fabric. I have tried the copy machine and think it is so expensive to do that it really isn't feasable to sell my stuff.
I bought some fabric paint and pens but haven't had time to try that yet.
I just wondered if anyone had any experiences to share that might give me and others an idea of what to try.

I want to make tiny print cottons. It is getting harder to find what I want and need. So I thought maybe I could try my own.

I have had a few suggestions but would love to hear if you have anything to share.

Thanks everyone!

amma

Maybe using stamps that have very small designs??? Cut your own stencils out of template plastic???

amma

Paint dye on thread lengths and lay them across the fabric for a different look. This should give you some thin lined designs.

kluedesigns

i make my own fabric but not on the small scale that you work in.

now with that said i think you could still produce products that you like - you would dye the background and then to make your designs you could use stamps and paint or even use tools from the house.

to make dots use the other end of the paint brush and you can use window screen for rubbing to make checkered fabric - chicken wire is great for rubbing too.

you can buy rubbing plates for quilts - they make a few styles now and those might work for you but you'd have to check the size mine are about the size of a coaster which might be to big for you.

here's a link to rubbing plates

http://store.quilting-warehouse.com/...aintstiks.html

also there's a line of stencils out specifically for painting on fabric. the small sizes should be able to work for you.

i love these stencils for painting - they're a bit stronger than quilting stencils and can withstand the rubbing and washing.

here's a link to the painting stencils

http://thecraftersworkshop.com/Letter%20Templates.html

Rhonda

Thanks Klue! I will check out the links. I kinda thought that stamps would work if i could just come up with a stamp the right size and shape. But I haven't really any idea how to do it unless I used something like adding a wooden piece to a wood block. Which I could do but haven't yet.

I have not heard of rubbing plates. This sounds interesting. I like the tiny leaves and flowers but that may be too hard to do. I also don't want to get too much money wrapped up in it. I found a link online that makes your designs into fabric but they want $30 a yard and I can't do that. Even if I could afford it it would not make good business sense to do that.

I'll have to check these out. Thanks!!

amma

I have found some cute stamps at the Dollar Tree. You can peel the rubber stamp off the wood base, and cut out the portion you like, to customize them and glue them back on the base.

kluedesigns

michaels also has really nice stamps. you could go to any art/craft store and in the scrapbook section find really nice stamps. many of them will be small because scrapbooking is a small craft - its not like they make things to lay on a bed like we do :D

Rhonda

Thanks for the suggestions. I will have to try looking for stamps again. I've only tried at walmart and hobby lobby but I never thought to look at the scrap book section.

Chele

I've heard great things about this company: http://www.spoonflower.com/welcome

Design and make your own fabric collection!

Stitching4Fun

how about silk screening? or is it screen painting? My daughter is trying to get equipment to do this. but her idea is to put it on shirts and things.