A couple of weeks ago one of my little ones walked in and said, "will you teach me to make a screen?" Now a very good mother would have done this long ago, especially since this little one has been asking to do this for months. Unfortunately I'm more of the "my studio is MY refuge" kind of mother and I don't take time out as often as I should to let them into my space. I felt the need to take time for her this time. So glad I did.
She would like to share with you her process.
She things that if she can do it so can you!
 |
Draw your picture with a carbon pencil and send it through a thermofax machine and thermal-mesh to make a screen. You can also email your image to a thermofax screen service and let someone else make the screen for you.
Lay out your cloth on a padded print surface (mine is a layer of felt under twill) and position your screen. It's easier to handle a foam brush than a squeegee. Dip it in the paint. With one hand hold the frame, with the other press the brush across the screen. Notice how her finger is pressing the brush? You really need to squish the paint fairly hard to get the paint through to the fabric.
We made a few prints then washed and dried the screen before turning it over and making some facing the other way. We also decided to do some splatter painting over the top of the kitties just for fun. Dip an old toothbrush into the paint and run your finger over it. It makes a really fun mess!
Cut out the kitties and hold them up to the light and make sure they are aligned. Pin the cats and sew a straight stitch around them, leaving a gap about two inches wide. Use pinking shears to trim about 1/4 inch around the outside of the seam.
Stuff your pillow through the gap. I always have left over bits of batting so she tore some of those up and used them.
Squish the batting back into the pillow and stick a pin into it so that it's easier to sew.
Sew a straight stitch to close the gap.
Pose for a picture with your beautiful little creations. Carry them around and tell everyone you know that you made them yourself. Sleep with them every night.
We'll be playing with thermofax screen printing here in the studio on April 18th.
I'd love to have you join me!
More information can be found here.