Using rubbing alcohol to make fabric bleed
 

Yes, this sounds weird. But, I either saw this technique on TV or on line. They were using solid white fabric, possibly muslin, used some kind of paint or dye and stamped it on (I think). Then used an eye dropper with rubbing alcohol applying a few drops, lifting fabric with a pin. This gave the most beautiful watercolor look. Does anyone know about this?

Rubbing alcohol is used to make Sharpies bleed. A craft project we do at the lake with the kids is get white cotton T shirts, draw on them with Sharpie markers, then drop or spray the alcohol on. I have also done this on muslin. The item actually launders pretty well.
With my quilting group, we did something similar, but used white silk scarfs.
I seem to remember that the alcohol will also react with paint or dye, but can't remember which ones. I'm sure someone will fill us in.

I tried this technique using 70% & 90% rubbing alcohol. I did not get
the bleed that it should have.

Went back and watched the youtube video and saw that the alcohol
needs to 99%. Only place I was able to find that high percentage was
on Amazon. It cost $14.15 for 3 - 16oz bottles. Have had the time to
try the bleed again since getting the 99%.

That is good to know, Louise. Thanks for sharing this!

I've done it with Sharpies & rubbing alcohol. In that case, the ink still needs to be pretty wet (fresh) & it will always run outward like a starburst circle (you make little dots on the shirt & they'll spread out 3-5 inches). Makes for a great science lesson for 1st graders.

I don't know if it would work with home dyed fabrics maybe if you did that before they were 100% dried. I would think the mordant would keep it from working properly & have not ever seen this effect on commercially dyed or printed fabrics (haven't tried it on batiks, but I've used rubbing alcohol many times when hairspray wasn't available to get ink stains out of children's shirts & it's never ever caused any colors to bleed).

I've done it with Sharpies & rubbing alcohol. In that case, the ink still needs to be pretty wet (fresh) & it will always run outward like a starburst circle (you make little dots on the shirt & they'll spread out 3-5 inches). Makes for a great science lesson for 1st graders.

I don't know if it would work with home dyed fabrics maybe if you did that before they were 100% dried. I would think the mordant would keep it from working properly & have not ever seen this effect on commercially dyed or printed fabrics (haven't tried it on batiks, but I've used rubbing alcohol many times when hairspray wasn't available to get ink stains out of children's shirts & it's never ever caused any colors to bleed).


As Louise indicated, it does need to be a high concentration of alcohol. I used 97% that I found either at CVS or dollar store. It's not available everywhere.

Very interesting thread. Love reading the varied answers.

cindyb, the alcohol makes the sharpie ink run, not the fabric. It kind of looks like a tie dyed effect.

Just curious....what wouild happen if you wet the fabric with alcohol first THEN did your design or dots??????