DONNA POSTER NEWSLETTER
                                                           SEPT. ‘07


Show and Tell:  We now have 21 projects on the show and tell section of our website.  Log onto <http://quiltwithdonna.com/>  -- and click onto Show and Tell at the second page.  Everyone is invited to send a photo of a quilt project, made from a Holiday Designs pattern, and have it shown in this section.  It’s like getting up before your quilt guild for Show and Tell.  When sending a photo it’s nice to write something about the project, like, who it was made for, what pattern was used, what fabrics, etc.  We’ve been getting a great positive response from this section of the website.

More website stuff:  The applique section of <http://quiltwithdonna.com/>     --is  redone so the designs are presented within subject categories.  Did you know you can also reach the website using the domain names of  <http://donnaposter.com/> and <http://foldystuff.com/>

Eliad’s a hoot these days!  He’s taken to smashing his hard boiled eggs --- pulls them apart into tiny bits!!  Why? He’s looking for the baby penguin!!!  Zoe, his mom, wants to find a really tiny penguin and push it into the egg after she peels it.  (For those of you who haven’t seen Happy Feet, there’s a scene where baby penguins are breaking out of their eggs)  Last week there was a tractor show near here --- there were hundreds of tractors --- and he loved every minute of it!  We had a wonderful time, but, never in my life did I think I’d ever be going to a tractor show!!!!

I recently asked for some input about painting on fabric.  My readers came through in grand style --- I love how quilters are willing to take the time to share their knowledge --- a thank you to all who wrote.  I’m sending you the correspondence from two of these quilters.

Hi Donna,
Just read your newsletter and am writing to let you know what fabric paints I use. I just recently got back into fabric painting after taking a class while vacationing in Fort Myers, Florida. I love being able to do it again. I'm also in the process of learning all over again because there are may more types of fabric paints out there. Here are some of the ones I have used.
DecoArt So Soft and Tulip Soft are both good. They come in matte, metallic, pearl, and glitter. They are easy to use, give good coverage (for dark fabrics use the metallic,pearl and/or glitter type) and keep fabric soft. ---------------?
Folkart has a new line of Fabric paints promoted by Donna Dewberry of OneStroke fame. Since they're probably used for the OneStroke method, I find that although they give good coverage they are a thicker medium to work with. Too thick for my taste for regular fabric painting, but might be good for someone who wants to do flowers and leaves using Dewberry's method.

Pebeo Setacolor and Jacquard Dye-na-Flow. These are dyes that are very pigmented, but have a very thin consistency. Definitely not for a beginner. They are probably more for silk painting. I have used them on 100 % cotton--Kona and light batik. Since they are so thin they spread a lot, you have to be careful where you place them and how much to use. Layering colors to get the shade you want takes time. The fabric does stay soft because the dye soaks, in fact, the look on the underside is just as pretty as on the front, and the colors are wonderful. I did a fruit arrangement on a light cream batik, and it turned out beautiful, but it took a lot of time. I do recommend you try them later after you've been fabric painting for a while.

Createx Airbrush Paint is a new brand for me. I read in a magazine that it's good because it gives brighter color because of  its purer pigment. I bought ------?some to try but haven't had a chance to use them yet. They seem thinner in consistency, but a little thicker medium than the dyes. I'll let you know when I use them this weekend.
Acrylic Paints--DecoArt, Folkart, etc. These are normally used for painting on wood, but when mixed with their brand of Fabric Medium they can be used as fabric paint. That's what I used years ago when I did some painting on t-shirts. They leave the fabric stiffer, so most people don't like to use them, but they are easy to use. If you are just going to practice you can start with them and then switch to the fabric paints later on. Again, use the metallic or pearlized colors to paint on dark fabrics.

I find most of the paints at Michael's or other craft stores, or online--just keyword - fabric paints.

Fabric Painting is a lot of fun. Make sure you use a plastic covered cardboard under the fabric, because some may soak all the way through the fabric. Let the piece dry for 24 hours or more--read the instructions on the bottle--than heat set accordingly. Always use the metallic, pearl or glitter on dark fabrics because the matte will just soak in and di sappear. I use patterns from children's coloring books, stained glass or window glass books, etc. You don't have to be an artist and draw your own designs.
Sometimes I even trace a small design from fabric or china, and enlarge it .

I hope this is of some help to you. ENJOY!
Hugs,
Gloria

Gloria,
Wow --- you have really done some research! I'm impressed!
Thank you so much for taking the time to write all this. I will definitely pass it on to our quilting friends. I'm seeing more and more painting on quilts and would like to get into it. What's confusing is that even an article about painting usually refers only to the paints the author likes --- but who knows if it's the one I will like. Your input will be a great help!
Thank you, Donna

Donna,
You're welcome. The research came from being in the same predicament a while back as you are now. It was overwhelming. You are so right about the various authors promoting only what they use or like. As I come upon articles like that, if those paints look like they do what I'd like to try, I buy a few and work with them. It has been a process of trial and error and elimination. There are also fabric markers and crayons you could try. I like the Fabrico markers and Pentex fabric crayons. I've seen a lot of hype about using the Shiva Paintsticks which were used for stenciling years ago, but they are oilbased, smelly and take a long time to dry before you can heat set them. If you just want to have fun, go with the Tulip Soft which are easily accessible at stores like Michaels and cheap enough that you can buy a bunch. Try their Pearl ones which have like a glittery look to them when dry, especially on dark fabrics.
Have FUN!
Gloria


Dear Donna,
Regarding painting: I was a Tole and Decorative Painter before a Quilter and now I try as hard as might to do both. I painted years ago on fabric using the acrylic paint in craft stores plus a textile medium recommended for use with the acrylic paint. This method seems rather stiff until it is allowed to "cure" very well and then heat set with dry iron. It also seems to get softer with each washing. I have done projects that have had numerous washings and still seem bright and clear as when new.
Another method is also the fabric paints that are available in craft stores which work very good. They dry soft and use the same method, the longer you allow for drying or cure time before washing, will remain as good as when painted. This might be better for a first time try as you would not have to do any mixing of the paint and textile medium. Both types allow for shading and highlights as in any regular painting project.
Another medium that has gained great popularity in our area is coloring with Crayola crayons. I am currently taking a class at a quilt store that is "All About Texas" that is all done with crayons and then we are doing an outline stitch of embroidery. The lady teaching it had a dry cleaners in the past and she said that she learned the hard way that crayons will not wash out when heat set. The colors are much softer in color and feel than with fabric paints but will also wash nicely. I just hope that with this quilt I will not get behind in my stitching and put it aside as I believe there are 20 blocks. But it is much fun to get your crayons ready for class!
Ann

Donna here again; I scouted most of the paints they described plus a few more I found.  I haven’t had a chance to use them yet, but will give you my own input when I get to it.  My time, right now, is being spent on learning a new computer quilt program and finishing two twin size quilts for my daughter, Laura’s guest beds before we visit her in San Diego --- two weeks from now!  Will give you updates on all that stuff in October.  For now --- back to the sewing machine!!

Hope you’re having a great September,

Donna