Arts & Crafts

ARTS AND CRAFTS TECHNIQUES

With Janean S. Thompson

Textile Design a la Airbrush

Everyone knows what a dynamic tool the airbrush is for fine art and illustration. But have you ever considered airbrush as a tool for fabric decoration and embellishment? Consider the variety of textures one can create on paper. The same application techniques can be used to design original fabrics. Some of the best uses for these fabrics are the creation of wardrobe items and household decorating (window coverings, pillow fronts, slipcovers, and bed linens). Because the airbrush can quickly impart a high volume of color over a large area, it is ideally suited to large-scale projects such as bed and table linens and drapery fabrics.

When airbrush is used, one most always thinks of adding color to a surface. Did you realize that you could also remove color from pre-washed, 100% cotton fabric by using a controlled mixture of chlorine bleach and water? This is called "discharge dying. "If a solution of one cup of bleach mixed into one pint of water is sprayed over solid resist materials and allowed to rest until the color starts to change (and this happens really fast), one can create softly feathered "clouds" around solid color shapes. Be sure to use caution and see note below.

You may want to create specific shapes that seem to float upon varied color backgrounds. This can be done with designs cut from contact paper and pressed onto the fabric surface. Remember to be flexible enough to anticipate a bit of weeping under the design (which might even give you new and exciting results). Other ways to create specific designs are wax resist (batik), with airbrushed toning over the wax, and solid objects that are clamped together with the fabric squeezed between the shapes.

When you use discharge dyeing, you control the degree of color change. Spray the discharge solution on the fabric and watch for an appropriate color shift. When you see change, immediately immerse the object into clear water or a mixture of one gallon of water and one pint of vinegar (color set).

Project:Airbrush Discharge "Dyeing" – Napkins

Materials Required:

--2 yards of 100% cotton, dark color – Pre-washed
(Tip: Buy more. You will love doing these.)
--1 cup chlorine bleach
--1 pint warm water
--Contact paper

Directions:

--Pre-wash yard goods. Cut each yard into 4 even square pieces. Hem and then press.
--Cut various basic shapes from contact paper. Press against the top side of the fabric. Use no heat to attach contact paper.
--Carefully mix bleach and water. Attach a splatter tip for freckled color discharge or use an airbrush with a wide spectrum spray.
--Test on a sample of the fabric to determine the amount of spray needed.
--Spray over designs. Rest momentarily.
--Plunge into clean water.
--Repeat.
--Wash the napkins in a clothes washer.
--Dry, press, and enjoy!

NOTE: When using a chemical such as bleach, it is necessary that you work in a well-ventilated area, wear a respirator, and use extreme caution.