Poppy Love

Block Print Painting

Potomac Library
May 11th 2011
10:30-12:30pm

Materials

• 1 yard light weight cotton (beige/white)
• Flower Template
• Foam Sheet (with adhesive backing prefered)
• Scissors
• Cardboard
• Clear blocks/coasters
• Chip brush
• Paint : Spring colors

Instruction:

It's a good idea to experiment with the designs on scrap paper before committing to fabric. Start with the stem and leaves to help map out the composition.

1. Print templates for flower, stem, and leaf shapes onto card stock. Trace templates onto foam sheets, and cut out with craft scissors.
2. Peel off backings, and attach shapes to clear blocks.
3. Using a chip brush, apply textile paint to foam stem and leaf designs bearing in mind that the brush strokes will appear exactly as you paint them when printed on fabric. 
4. Lay fabric flat, and choose a section to print. Firmly press painted stem and leaf block facedown. Lift block from fabric gently and completely. Repeat the process with flower block: As you paint the color onto the block, use strokes that mimic the direction of petal growth.
5. To add more color and depth and to give petals a sense of movement (optional), print again in the same spot, slightly overlapping the design.
6. Let dry. Heat-set on reverse side of prints with an iron using setting recommended by fabric manufacturer.