Simple fabric printing [antikvár]

INTRODUCTION TfflS notebook deals with the simpler forms of fabric printing, and is designed as a textbook for use when printing at school or at home. For this reason, it only covers fabrics easily obtainable, and that can be used with the minimum of simple apparatus. On the other hand, the finished fabrics can be washed repeatedly and used for a variety of purposes providing the simple instructions are carefully followed. It is possible to use the chapters individually, or as part of a progressive scheme leading to more advanced forms of textile design and printing covered in Craft Notebook No. 14. Many housewives are expert at dyeing garments and other articles in their home. With careful use of the techniques in this book, similar processes will produce attractively patterned fabrics well within the capability of even young children. The present trend in fabric design is towards free pattern, produced by experimental use of textures and natural shapes. The good designer is always alert to the chance effect that comes from experiment. This is preferable to copying a pen or pencil design. The design must grow out of the materials and tools used. Usually the simpler the design, the better the final effect. It is most important that a design and the fabric used should be suited to each other, and to the final pujóse of the article. An over-realistic pattern is never satisfactory. Slavish copying of the ideas in this book is not enough; they are intended as starting-points for exploration. Often the beginner will be muddled by the wide variety of dyes offered by the different manufacturers and retailers, and it is essential to realize that the simpler the dyes, tools and equipment used, the greater chance there is for the amateur to produce a satisfactory result. For this reason, only one dye and one method is given in full for a process, other dyes and methods being summarized at the end of each section. The chapters on pad printing introduce the methods leading up to lino, block and screen printing dealt with in Craft Notebook No. 14 together with a list of suppliers of materials and equipment.