Ready, Set, Go

I have finally purchased all of my supplies to start silk screening. I'm so excited to get started. I've designed a simple, geometric pattern using Adobe Photoshop. I figured it would be best to start simple. Below is the image I plan to transfer.

The next step is to print out the image and transfer it to a sheer fabric that will be stabilized in an embroidery hoop. The method of transfer is simply to place the printed image underneath the sheer fabric and trace with a pen or pencil.

After the image has been traced to the fabric, you take Mod Podge and paint brushes to block out the blank areas of the print ie.) the areas of the print that you do not wish to have transfered. This will be the white space surrounding my pattern.

After the Mod Podge has dried, the embroidery hoop is placed over the fabric that you wish to silk screen the image onto. If you are silk screening a t-shirt, for example, it is recommended to place a piece of cardboard between t-shirt layers so that the ink doesn't seep through to the other side of your shirt.

Now it is time to add the screen printing ink to the canvas. I will post images of the actual steps as they are completed and hopefully will have a great example of a finished product to show you all!

When I found out about the By Hand Project for our class, I was so excited. I have been a big fan of the Craftzine.com blog for some time and I am always interested in learning new and creative ways to make art and craft. In fact, I was so inspired that I couldn't decide on only one project. I spent so much time going back and forth between project ideas before I made a final decision...

I am going to learn how to silk screen!

Silk screening, or screen printing depending on who you ask, has been something I have always wanted to know how to do. I just never thought that I would have the time or the money. I had major hesitations about picking silk screening as my project because the costs can get ridiculous. Luckily, I found some savvy crafters out there with some great and amazingly resourceful ideas and techniques.

Besides the paints that are specific to the silk screening process, I plan to reuse as many of the materials that are needed as possible. What I do not already own, I plan to purchase from Goodwill or other second-hand stores. I have taken a CAD(Computer Aided Design) course here at IU as a requirement for the fashion design certificate program, and I plan on using my Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator knowledge to create the graphics and images that I want to transfer via silk screening.

I have a lengthy list of supplies, but I am going to try and be as creative as possible in my search. I can't wait to try this out!

Pictures to come very soon!