ArtWorks by Marty

Fabric should be at least 50% cotton. Wash and dry fabric without the use of fabric softener. Press fabric/garment if wrinkled. Stabilize fabric by ironing plasti-coated freezer paper to the inside of the shirt or back of fabric.  Another method may be to place the garment over a shirtboard or plastic covered cardboard using pins or masking tape to hold fabric taut.

Painted fabric/garments should be allowed to dry thoroughly before washing (approximately one week). Read and follow the labels on each product carefully. Some products require heat setting. Read the directions on the bottle. DecoArt fabric paints require no heat setting. Garments should be turned inside out and washed with a mild, unscented detergent. Hang or lay garment flat to dry. For best results, hand wash.

Paint only one design element at a time (leaf, petal, etc). Base the element with Transparent Medium until wet but not soggy. Apply paint using just enough paint for depth desired. Allow the white of the fabric form the highlights. Add tints and accent colors while paint is still wet with a side loaded brush.

Do not use water to thin the paint. Water will cause the paint to bleed on the fabric. Dry brushes well after rinsing in water and then reload with paint. If you need to thin the paint use the Transparent Medium. Move the brush slowly over the surface allowing the paint time to flow from the brush.

Be careful while painting as the paint cannot usually be removed from the fabric. If you have an accident try blotting immediately and rub with a clean wet cloth. Or consider adding another leaf, butterfly, etc to the design. Do not change the position of the fabric on the board while it is still wet. Place an extra sheet of palette paper under your forearm where it rests on the fabric.