15 August 2012

Stamp Your Own Pattern Tutorial

Once I got an email from a reader asking where to find boy fabric, as they were only able to find solids and stripes.  I was kind of at a loss of what to tell her because I really like solids and stripes.  Details of your sewing are more easily displayed with something simple, but recently I got a steal on a bunch of factory remnant solid, white knit.  I had plans of dying it different colors, since it's a really great quality knit.  But then I saw a couple of really cool stamps at Hobby Lobby and I when I remembered the fabric ink I had for my tags...well, the rest, as they say, is history.
Using the ink pad instead of just fabric paint provides the option of using stamps because it will show off all the fine detail of a rubber stamp instead of filling all the crevices with paint and making a blob of paint instead of an image.  I never got into making scrapbooks (I can't even bring myself to using it as it's own verb), but I feel like I'm breaking and entering into that world with the possibilities this opens up.
Growing up my dad had a big box of stamps that we all loved to play with.  He'd break them out for our homemade Valentine's that we would spend hours making.  It was like a treasure box, not neatly organized and categorized, just a bunch of wood mounted stamps all jumbled up, that we'd riffle through to find what we wanted.
Now I feel like my 5 yards of plain white knit won't be enough for all the ideas in my head!
Some tips:
Make sure your ink is for fabric.  You don't want to go to all this trouble only to find out it will wash out or fade.  VersaCraft is widely available online and in craft stores.
★ If your pattern pieces are really big, you may want to draw the outline of each piece so you don't over-stamp and waste ink (and energy!)  Don't cut out your pieces, because some of your images will be half on the piece and half off which would be harder to do if it's already cut out.
Go random or go precise.  On this project I spaced the image evenly, but I've started another project that is completely random and both are fun.
Don't rock the stamp.  Press down firmly, but evenly.  If you rock it (in the literal sense ;) you'll get the edges of the wood or get a blurry image.
Let the ink dry and then press (just up and down motion, no side to side) with a hot dry iron.
★ This will work on an natural, evenly woven or knit fabric, but you could get different effects using a rougher weave like some linen.  If you're unsure, just try a sample and run it through the wash before committing to an entire cut of beloved fabric.
Admit it, you're already thinking of fabric you have that will work, aren't you?
You can bet your ink pad that there will be more stamping to come.  What about you, are your wheels turning?

26 comments:

  1. love that! I couldn't find boy fabric for the 2nd side of my car seat cover. I stenciled vehicles all over it. I have a one of the kind cover, and I LOVE it. I will have to get me a fabric stamp pad and some boy stamps. I love this idea, and both the outfit and the kid is super cute!

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  2. My brain is now on overload!!!! Such a great idea!!!!!!!!! Thank you...

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  3. Such a great idea - definitely worth exploring more!!! I do have ideas for sure. Thanks for the idea!!

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  4. Oh my YES! I always love looking at the stamps at Hobby Lobby as well but ALSO can't allow myself to get into scrapbooking (although I can say it as a verb) simply because I already have too many creative obsessions. Thanks for giving me a stamping outlet that coincides with my love of sewing!

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  5. I need to go to your Hobby Lobby - I made a star stamped shirt for the 4th of July, but other than that one stamp all I've been able to find are flower and frill stamps. Not much better luck at Michaels, either.

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  6. What a coincidence - my versacraft ink pads arrived in the mail yesterday from Joann! (They have a 30% off sale at the moment too and loads of colours to choose from). I have been thinking about doing this for some time and am so excited to start. I used to scrapbook, but now I do make cards so I can't wait to try my various stamps - the possibilities are endless!

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  7. Where did you get the pajama pattern? I am finding it rather difficult to find pajamas for a 20 pounds baby that are sleepers.

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  8. I almost wish you hadn't posted this because now I have twice as many crafty ideas floating around my head that I want to try :) So many possibilities!!

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  9. Oh I love stamping fabric! So adorable =)

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  10. Did I miss the pattern/tutorial for how to make this awesome romper I keep seeing him in?

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  11. I've never heard of fabric ink! Fabric paint, of course, but not ink. Yep. My wheels are turning for the possibilities!

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  12. I love this :) I've recently been experimenting with woodblock type and printing patterns (http://creativechaosart.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/woodblock-card-design-k.html), and I can't wait to try some fabric designs!
    Helen x

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  13. That is hilarious! I was looking at D's pic from the previous-to-11-month post and thinking "hey, wonder where she got that telephone fabric - it's soooooo great!". Aha, now I know! :)

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  14. There are tons of great custom stamp sellers on etsy, too! I use this method to make my clothing tags. Lovely!

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  15. That is very interesting!

    I was recently looking for some boy-themed fabric for curtains, bedding, and other room decor things and it seemed I couldn't find any non-girly, cute, boy fabric. This might solve a lot of problems!! ;)

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  16. This is genius! I can't believe I never thought about it lol. I may actually use this idea on some pre-made baby items also!

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  17. Love it! I've done several projects with stamps and fabric ink. They're so much fun!

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  18. Is it possible to stamp - with fabric ink - light ink on dark fabric?

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  19. Great idea! I love the sleeper too, which pattern did you use for it?

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  20. As if I don't already have enough projects lines up in my head. *sigh
    I think I remember seeing something like this one time with one of those rolling stamps. That would be neat............
    haha, now YOU need to go find another kind of stamp.

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  21. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Something fun I can plan for on a quiet weekend.

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  22. Blogful and Laura- The pattern came from Ottobre Spring 2011 issue. I've included a link where to purchase on the following post!

    Victoria--Yes, I've posted an example on the following post. It doesn't come out as clear, but if you use some solid stamps with less details it would be perfect.

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  23. What a COOL idea! Thanks for sharing!

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  24. I used to work for an independent rubber stamp producer (really independent, we worked in her living room) and I have lots and lots of stamps. I never got into the act of stamping, but I couldn't bear to toss them out.
    This is the best Idea EVER! I even have some white knit in my stash.
    Off to purchase some fabric-safe ink pads.
    Thanks for the inspiration :)

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