Wash and dry chosen garment/fabric even if new. Place a protective backing underneath the design area. Apply the paints or pens onto the fabric. When dry fix the colour by covering your design area with a clean cotton cloth and iron for 1-2 minutes on the hottest setting. Fabric returns to its original softness after washing.
Colour Fun Soft Fabric Painting Pens are ideal for outlining and detail work. Colour Fun Soft Fabric Paints are intermixable and suitable for filling in large areas.
Colour Fun Soft Fabric Paints are fully intermixable. Use the colour mixing rules when combining colours e.g. red with yellow makes orange. The Metallic colours can be blended with the basic colours to create lovely pearlised effects e.g. silver with red gives pearlised pink. Experiment to discover the vast range of colours that can be obtained.
Painting on Dark Fabrics
The Colour Fun Metallic colours give excellent results on both dark and light coloured fabrics. The basic colour range of paints and pens work best on white garments. If you want to use the basic range on dark fabrics apply white paint first - remember to fix the paint between each layer.
Colour Fun Soft Fabric Paints and Pens can be applied in a vast number of ways. A variety of techniques are described here - why not try combining them to create really stunning effects.
Freehand Drawing and Painting
Design your own unique creations by freehand drawing and painting with Colour Fun. The pens are really versatile for drawing outlines, intricate patterns or simply writing your name.
Masking and Stencilling
Stunning effects and repeat patterns can be created with masking techniques and stencilling.
Try using masking tape to mask off an area of fabric - it's perfect for creating straight lines, stripes and checks. Just stick down strips onto the area which needs to remain free of Colour Fun, apply the paints or pens, leave to dry then peel off the masking tape before fixing.
The paints and pens are both ideal for stencilling. This is the process of ainting through a cut piece of card/plastic to give a sharp edged motif. You can make stencils from card or acetate or purchase them ready made. The paints are best for larger stencils - use a stiff bristled brush and stipple the paint onto the fabric. Use the pens for smaller delicate designs.
Printing and sponging with Colour Fun is easy: go for a dramatic look by covering a large area of the garment or a delicate pattern by highlighting a small part such as the cuffs or collar.
All typs of objects can be used for printing: cotton reels, potatoes, hands or you can try block printing. This is done by gluing a piece of pipe cleaner bent into a shape onto a block of wood. Simply dip your object into the Colour Fun paint and press onto the fabric in a pattern or on a random basis, try overlapping different shades.
Spattering and Splashing
Spattering and splashing are really simple techniques as they require little control and are a great way of covering large areas of fabric quickly.
For a splashed effect, use a large brush - first dip it into the paint then throw it at the fabric.
When spattering, colours are simply flicked onto the fabric using a toothbrush, nail brush or household brush, depending on the desired effect. Dip the bristles into the saucer of paint, aim the brush at the fabric and pull something rigid (a ruler or a spoon handle will do) towards you across the bristles, watch the paint spatter onto the fabric.
Splashing and spattering are techniques whichare best performed outside. If you cannot do this make sure you cover all surfaces of the room with newspaper or old sheets.
You can add a third dimension to your design with the Colour Fun Range of Dimensional Fabric Paints. Remember to fix the Colour Fun Soft Fabric Paints before adding Dimensionals. If you want to change the background of a garment you wish to decorate why not dye it first?
With Dylon's comprehensive range of fabric dyes there is a dye to suit all your needs.