June 9,2018
Today I am
going to describe how I print my fabrics. I use a gelatin plate. Right now I am
using a commercially purchased plate as it is durable and easy to clean. I have
a few different sizes. I use the 8”x11” and the circular plate the most often.
The first
step is to gather things to press into the plate to leave an impression. I walk
in the Fells near my house almost daily so most of my printing material comes
from there. I also have a stash of bubble wrap and various food packaging items
I use as well as a variety of combs. A stack of scrap paper to test images and
aid in clean up is helpful. (Those papers are good for collage.)
I either
use fat quarters or cut down fabric to use for printing. I put a stack of
fabric near the printing table. Then I am ready to begin. First I squeeze a
dollop of paint onto my plate. I spread it out with my brayer. (I have been
experimenting with adding fabric medium.) Next I arrange the leaves or whatever
I am printing on the plate. I pull two prints. The first one is a negative
image with the leaves dropped out. For second print I remove the leaves and
print the impressions they left on the plate. This is the basic process.
I continue
to print on my fabrics, layering the impressions. I try not to make them too
pretty or too much like a print. I don’t want the thinking and creating to stop
at the printing process. Usually, it takes me a few sessions to create a pile
of fabrics. Sometimes I print into a piece even after I have started cutting.
This process grew out of collage making. I use the leftover bits to make other
pieces on paper. My aim is to make the quilting process as spontaneous as
possible.
