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Member since 7/27/08
Posts: 215
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Posted on: 1/30/11 1:33 AM ET
I opened my mouth and made a fool promise. Can you use regular acrylic craft paint on fabric, and then wash the fabric in a washing machine? Or is this more of a dry clean only sort of deal? For that matter, if it's a quilted fabric- if I wash it, but just hang it to dry, will it bunch up or fade?

has anyone done this? I got all hopped up and over-confident after reading a craft magazine, and promised a piece of clothing to someone. It involves paint, quilting and I'm not sure what else. I'd like to know I didn't just promise a moon of green cheese omelet to someone.

yench.

ari
  
Member since 11/23/09
Posts: 441
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Posted on: 1/30/11 1:46 AM ET
In reply to Ariadne
You didn't. But you do need to mix your acrylic paint with a textile medium. Plaid makes one.

The medium won't change your paint color.

I suggest to also heat set your design from the reverse side when the paint is completely dry.

I've painted both a pre-washed and non-washed t-shirt fabric, washed and dried with no problem.
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Member since 6/23/04
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Posted on: 1/30/11 4:52 AM ET
In reply to Ariadne
Quote:
Can you use regular acrylic craft paint on fabric, and then wash the fabric in a washing machine?

Yes you can. I've done this many times but as Craftinginmycave said, you must add a textile medium to the paint first, then heat set. You must also pre-wash your fabric. The instructions are on the additive bottle.

-- Edited on 1/30/11 4:53 AM --
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Belinda. Melbourne, Australia
http://sew-4-fun.blogspot.com/
  
Member since 8/8/07
Posts: 530
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Posted on: 1/30/11 5:05 PM ET
The heat setting is so important. I made a doll for niece #2 and forgot to heat set her painted on face. Niece #1 came inside from a romp in the dirty snow, and stepped on her poor face. I went to go spot clean her little face and a lot of the paint came off in the process. It was a Velveteen Rabbit moment.
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elizabethmadethis.com
Creative sewing outside the lines.
  
Member since 1/23/06
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Posted on: 1/30/11 8:42 PM ET
In reply to Ariadne
Yes you can. I use a different technique. It is totally washable, over and over. I have used this technique with acrylics and with oils. I prefer to paint with oils on fabric but mostly use acrylics.

Make sure your garment/fabric is prewashed to remove and sizing and finishes. Proceed with your painting. Don't paint thickly. Let dry 24 hours. Next day, in a well ventilated area have handy your iron on dry and lots of clean white cloths, on the idea of handkerchiefs, batiste, muslin, whatever. Dip your square of musling, or whatever into pure white vinegar. Wring out. Place on the right side of your fabric. Press in a lifting motion until bone dry. If paint has transmitted to your pressing cloth, use a new one for the next pressing. This is really a fume-y adventure so you may prefer to use the textile medium. It just always seems that I have lots of white vinegar handy and this is how I do it. If you are nervous about this do some test pieces, painting and treating them and throwing them in the washer and dryer. Good luck and hope this helps.

I recently finished this painted sweater and used this exact technique to treat it.
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Member since 7/27/08
Posts: 215
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Posted on: 2/3/11 10:09 AM ET
Good night! That is a beee- you--tiii- full Sweater!

thank you all for answering. I hope this project works out. It would be a first of its kind.

Thank you!

ari
  
Member since 3/18/04
Posts: 2060
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Posted on: 2/3/11 10:21 AM ET
In reply to solosmocker
What an interesting technique - I'll file that one away. And your sweater, wow - that is amazing painting you do!!!!

On another note, I painted on my kids' pj's a few years ago and didn't use textile medium and just pressed it afterwards and they all ended up pretty much washing off over the course of being laundered many times. It looked cute at first, but didn't withhold. I guess that is where the textile medium comes in.
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"The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain." ~Dolly Parton
  
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