Alcohol and sharpies
 

Has anyone done the sharpie and alcohol process on or in quilting fabric and how did it go?

Alcohol and sharpies are so much fun. I have played around a bit with this technique. But, I have only used them on postcards. Non-washable items.

Alcohol and sharpies and a spirograph.
https://www.quiltingboard.com/member...529-563823.jpg

Alcohol and sharpies and embroidery
https://www.quiltingboard.com/member...529-562282.jpg

Alcohol and sharpies and applique
https://www.quiltingboard.com/member...529-553242.jpg

These are just small 4 x 6 projects. But, you get different affects depending on the size of sharpie dots or streaks and the amount of alcohol. I've tried small spray bottles and glass eye droppers from Wal-mart to disperse alcohol. I dry thoroughly and heat set after. But, I have never tried washing a quilt square. Should probably do that at some point. I will be watching this thread to see others tips and photos.

Well you are having too much fun there, Judith! Those are just delightful! I haven't heard of that technique so thanks for showing pics and explaining the details.

More Alcohol, sharpies and embroidery.

https://www.quiltingboard.com/member...294-516010.jpg

Alcohol, sharpies and crayon and embroidery. I had a few issues with the sharpies running. Not a complete fail, just learned a lesson on where to put the color and how much alcohol to use.

https://www.quiltingboard.com/member...294-533339.jpg

Those are adorable Judith. For those ignorant of this process could someone explain. Thanks.

You just mark the fabric with permanent sharpie markers. Then, spray with the alcohol or use an eye dropper or paint brush to apply the alcohol to the ink. It will slowly start to expand and soften the area of the sharpie marks. And, swirls, dots, streaks all leave different "dye marks". Pinterest has some great tutorials. And, more alcohol makes the ink run more, less alcohol does the oppositel. I would suggest playing with small test pieces first. (Which I've done.) I have not used or tried the knock off brands. I've heard to stick with the sharpies. I always "dye" my fabrics first. Or at least I did on most of the examples I posted. The little girl one, I used the alcohol after I colored and embroidered. Hence, some issues with ink runnage.

Here's some interesting tutorials. These two were particular favorites.
https://www.creativeinchicago.com/20...ther-easy.html
https://www.creativeinchicago.com/20...uper-easy.html

Judith! Those are so fun! Have you tried the inktense colored pencils? They are fun to work with too.

Thank you, I haven't, But, I so want to. I will have to start at least researching them on Pinterest to see how to use them and what not. I have heard so many good things about them!

Wow! those are beautiful i never heard of alcohol/sharpie technique, on quilting arts i saw a technique with shaving cream forgot what they used for the color, and heard of the crayola crayon/iron technique never tried any of it, your work is beautiful.

Thanks mandyrose. It's a very inexpensive process to experiment with. Especially now with markers being on sale for back to school. And cheapy Wal-mart alcohol works just great.

Thank you for the explanation Judith.

I've never done it on quilt fabric, but have often done it on 100% cotton tee shirts. I get inexpensive tees and it's a hit for the kids to do at the cottage. One thing we do is lightly color the whole background area with different colors. Spray heavily with alcohol, then cover with bunched up plastic wrap and let it dry. It gives a marbleized background. Then draw your design and spray. If you are not artistic, you can put a line drawing, like a coloring book page under the fabric. You can just color in the lines. You can control the amount of bleed by the amount of alcohol sprayed. You can let it dry and reapply more color as many times as you want. when completed, I use a dry iron and a press cloth over & under the fabric. You loose a small amount of color when you launder (cold), but it stays amazingly well.

Great technique! Your cards look great!

I have to limit the amount of alcohol I imbibe while I have a sharpie in my hands. If not...I come out looking like a 2 year old who got into the markers! LOL

Seriously, I have never done the alcohol/sharpie coloring method. I do love, love, love the way it looks, Judith! I used to use watercolor markers, coffee filters and water to make "butterflies" when my kids were very young. (Color the filters, spritz with water, let dry. Then gather center with pipe cleaner to make antennae.)

A couple of questions, Judith: what type of fabric do you use? Do you prewash?

TIA

I don't prewash. But, It could make a difference with the fabric you use. And, On all those cards, it was just 100 percent cotton fabric. And, on several, it was just an inexpensive muslin. I had just started experimenting and didn't want to invest a lot of money for something that didn't work.

LOL :D . Thanks for the laugh.

Thank you.

Wow, Judith, this is a great idea! Looks like real fun. Your cards are beautiful!


I love the t-shirt idea also. I really miss the '60s tie-dye shirts.

This looks like a fun technique. I have it on my ever growing bucket list. Thank you for showing your work.

Totally cool....another thing to try!

Thank you Judith like everyone your cards are fantastic. I really appreciate your tips will have to try this myself now.

What a cool idea. I wasn't aware of this process. I'll have to try it.

Your welcome, sorry I hijacked your thread. I was just excited to share this fun technique.

Used the sharpie/alcohol method on one of the blocks for National Quilt Museum Challenge BOM. Prewashed the fabric and it did wash OK after the block was done. It is a fun method to try. Judith1005 love your postcards.

The sewing store I go to showed this technique; was recommended to use 90% proof alcohol.

And then you want to let it dry and press it to set it. One of the gals tried it and it washed out or faded out badly.

I have seen this done on tennis shoes it's really pretty.

I bet you could "set" the dying process with a clear fabric medium. I just never bothered because I'm working with non-washable cards. (Or your not supposed to have to wash them.);)

There's another product that's alcohol soluble: alcohol ink. Sold online and our local art supply store. It works on fabric but is much less intense than on Alpo paper (non-absorbant). The alcohol was rubbing alcohol at 90% concentration. Once it dries it can be sprayed with Acrylic coating or clear Glaze to make it permanent. This may affect the hand of the fabric, so make it light. Plenty of ventilation is required. Alcohol ink is in the experimentation stage so lots of new information will come out.

Judith I don’t feel like you hi jacked anything. I really appreciate your responses and helpful input. If I knew anything about the process I wouldn’t have asked the question. So many many thanks

Thank for sharing. Going to have to try this. Love your cards.

Judith, those postcards are fantastic! The tree is my favorite - the colors and the embroidery are superb. Thank you for posting the pictures


So how many people (besides me) are going to try it this weekend?

Thank you ladies. I do hope you have lots of fun!

Sounds like a good way to have some fun! Your postcards are really wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

Have you seen the new Crayon Melter? You put the crayon in the pen and it melts the crayon just enough that you can draw with it and get the melted look. The color does not run. You can break the crayon to use only a little of that color at one time. An artist that I watched use this had about a dozen heated up at one time. She worked on canvas and said it worked great on fabric. I haven't tried it but regular Crayola Crayons stay on fabric after washing.

That sounds really cool. No, I haven't hear of it. Will have to You-Tube it.

This looks like a fun project...our Grands just left, but would be a fun thing for them to try!