For example, in this photo, the top strip is the fabric I have. It's similar to the fabric in Block 48 but that block has pink and green. So I added green and pink to the strip at the bottom. It's a subtle change but it brings the fabric closer to the original.
Before Christmas I saw these markers when we were in a school and craft supply store shopping for our grands. I was thrilled when I received them for Christmas. Not to let a gift sit on the shelf, I used them to add the colors to fabric above. They are permanent when ironed.
They stiffen the fabric just a little but not enough to make it a problem, and it's wonderful to have the option to add a touch of color. I would not use them to add a design to a plain piece of fabric though they could be used for that. My interest is in altering the color of fabric just a little.
Another challenge for Cheddarback was finding a white/off white fabric with black stripes. I had this fabric with grey stripes but the stripes didn't stand out the way they do in fabric in the Cheddarback block.
I pulled out a metal ruler and my black Pigma Micron 08 pen and traced the grey lines to turn them into black lines. They are not perfect but they work for me.
Do you change the color of fabric sometimes and, if so, how do you do it and what do you use?
--Nancy.
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I am so happy to hear that I am not the only one who colors her fabric when needed! You have made the perfect "neon" fabric. If you ever need any more neon (black with bright colors) fabrics for a project let me know. I have quite a collection and am always willing to share. Your solution was perfect and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Wendy. I think the brights in the piece I colored could be brighter so I may add some color. Thanks for offering to share some of your neons. I appreciate that.
DeleteI'm learning that somewhere in the quilting world, for whatever aspect of quilting, there is always at least one other person who does what I do / thinks like I do / etc. It's fun to know that you are one of those people when it comes to coloring fabric, Wendy.
What do you use to change colors? Are there pens or markers that you love or that you think work better than others?
Wish I had thought of that! I loved reading about your solution.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Happy Quilter. Glad to stopped by and left a comment.
DeleteGood idea! I did change the color of a fabric once in a Christmas quilt--my tree trunks needed to be darker. I also use markers a lot on thread stitching when my ditch quilting going a bit awry!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen. I hadn't thought of using markers to change the color of quilting thread in some areas but another person who left a comment does the same. I think it would be hard for the pen to touch only the quilting thread and not the fabric around it.
Deletethe only color changes I've done are coffee and tea dying of whole pieces for that aged look--I used to coffee-dye papers for my handmade journal pages too...I have never tried fabric markers--looks like you did a great job with them hugs, Julierose
ReplyDeleteThanks, Julie. Ooooh, coffee and tea-dyed papers are beautiful. It is probably more permanent on paper than fabric that gets washed.
DeleteI often overdye toget a good color, esp greennns, but your ideas are new to me and I love what you have done here. I will def add your methods to my repetoire. [I think I d wash a snippet tho to be sure they are as permanent as I would hope. Tho not everyone washes finished quilts I know.] Thanks for great ideas.
ReplyDeletelizzy
lizzzz.d@gmail.com
Thanks, Lizzy. What kind of dye do you use when you overdye? Does it last long in fabrics that get washed often?
DeleteThe morning after I published this post I realized that I hadn't mentioned anything about the real results of using these markers other than the color changes. The fabric does need to be ironed or it can be heat-set in a dryer and it does seem permanent. I may go over these colors again to make them just a tad brighter/stronger. All of my quilts get dumped in the washer and dried as needed so I want permanent colors!
Aren't you clever? I have never heard of these markers. What a fun experiment to do touch-up coloring on fabrics (and it looks great). I've used a black or red micron marker to color the pulled thread that sometimes happens when I try to hide a knot.
ReplyDeleteLOL. Thanks, Robin. I hadn't thought about using a Micron to touch up a pulled thread but that is a great idea! I never knew what to do about those threads when that happens. I'll have to give it a try.
DeleteWhat a find! I admire that you are going to great creative lengths to get the look you want for Cheddarback! The markers could spice up a quilt label, too.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cynthia. I was surprised to find the markers. I never knew Crayola made them till I saw them. I suppose they market them for kids, not thinking that quilters might put them to use, too. They could spice up a quilt label but they might not work for any fine writing. The tips are marker tips rather then narrow like pen tips (Flair or Sharpie, etc.). I've never made a quilt label but if I do I'll have to remember to try these.
DeleteThese markers are new to me, Nancy. Very clever. The end result is a lovely print. :)
ReplyDeleteI have only ever tea-dyed fabric to change colors--except with wool applique. Now that is a whole different story for me. I have a large collection of wool from thrift store clothing and I dye it with Kool-Aid.
Then there is thread coloring--I learned this from Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings. When I machine quilt with a lighter thread and it slops over onto a dark fabric, I color that thread with my Micron Pigma pens--sometimes it takes layers of a couple of different colors to get a shade that blends in well.
Thanks, Janet. I think tea and coffee dying are pretty common, at least among some quilters. I vaguely remember reading of someone -- maybe you! -- using Kool-Aid to dye but had forgotten about it. You'd think a mother would remember how nearly impossible it is to get Kool-Aid out of clothing and think to use it for dying. I'm sure it works great as a dyebath but how do you think it would do for "painting" or dabbing small areas? Do you think it would work to use a toothpick to put a few crystals of it to change the color in a small area?
DeleteYou are the second person mention using Micron pens to color thread. I'm glad to learn of this use. How do you keep the fabric from getting colored, too? I know Microns come in narrow but it seems like it would be hard to keep even the narrow ones on just one thread.
Just loved your snapshots, Nancy.
ReplyDeleteI use the finest of the Microns for my tracings for embroidery quite often. And also for little touchups on appliqued pieces, etc. Yes, I think this is such a creative approach to individualizing fabric for your blocks. I also use the washable markers sometimes.
Thanks so much, Jocelyn. Do the Micron pen lines wash out when you wash or do your embroidery stitches cover them? I've used the washable markers, too, when I need a mark that won't stay.
DeleteNever would have dreamed of doing this. Clever girl!
ReplyDeleteI picked up some fabric markers at a Boy Scout flea market in August but they aren't something I would have searched store shelves for. They were primary colors. If I hadn't found them I know I would not have looks for fabric markers at a store. It was fun to play around and I'll probably use them again if I need to add/change small spots of color on a fabric.
DeleteI've really been enjoying your adventures in fabric-customizing!
ReplyDeleteI've used permanent markers to cover up little oopsies like points that didn't quite match, etc. If you can't see it from the back of a galloping horse, it doesn't count...
Thanks, Gayle. If you can't see it from the back -- and sometimes even if you can see it from the front! -- it doesn't matter. I'm learning to become satisfied with imperfection after I've given it my best try two times!
DeleteThe strange thing about permanent markers, and even pens, is that if I want the color to stay, it doesn't. But if I happen to make a random mark that I want to come out, it won't. I have several kinds of sharpies that I should experiment with a little more.