Category Archives: Tutorials

How to make things and do stuff.

Synthrapol & Synthrapol Low Foam

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I have been getting questions about Synthrapol & Synthrapol Low Foam.  Here is how I use it:

Synthrapol & Synthrapol Low Foam
Synthrapol is a liquid detergent used in pre-scouring fibers before dying and in washing out fibers reactive dyes after dying.  Synthrapol should only be used in top loading washing machines.  For Front Load washing machines you will need Synthrapol Low Foam only.

Scour
Here is the recipe for that I use for the PFD Fabric that I sell.  It is based on ½ teaspoon Soda Ash and ½ teaspoon Synthrapol per pound of fabric.  The amount will vary depending on the type and weight of the fabric.  Wash your fabric on the HOT cycle Minimum temperature of 140 Degree F (60 degree C).   I always pre-scour my fabric before dying.

Yards of Fabric Synthrapol Soda Ash
2 ½ to 3 ½ t. ½ t.
5 to 6 1 t. 1 t.
7.5 to 9 1 ½ t. 1 ½ t.
10 to 12 2 t. 2 t.
12.5 to 15 2 ½ t. 2 ½ t.
15 to 18 1 T. 1 T.
17.5 to 21 1 T. + ½ t. 1 T. + ½ t.
20 to 24 1 T + 1 t. 1 T. + 1t.

I never use over 2 Tablespoons of Synthrapol Low Foam in my Front Loading washing machine.

Final Wash
Based on ¼ t. of Synthrapol per Yard of my PFD fabric.  Wash your fabric on the HOT cycle Minimum temperature of 140 Degree F (60 degree C).

Yards of Fabric Synthrapol
1 Yard ¼ t.
2 Yards ½ t.
3 Yards ¾ t.
4 Yards 1 t.
5 Yards 1 ¼ t.
6 Yards 1 ½ t.
7 Yards 1 ¾ t.
8 Yards 2 t.
9 Yards 2 ¼ t.
10 Yards 2 ½ t.
11  Yards 2 ¾ t.
12 Yards 1 T.
13 Yards 1 T. + ¼ t.
14 Yards 1 T. + ½ t.
15 Yards 1 T +  ¾ t.
16 Yards 1T + 1 t.
17 Yards 1 T + 1 ¼ t.
18 Yards 1 T + 1 ½ t.
19 Yards 1 T + 1 ¾ t.
20 Yards 1 T + 2 t.
21 Yards 1 T + 2 ¼ t.
22 Yards 1 T + 2 ½ t.
23 Yards 1 T + 2 ¾ t.
24 Yards 2 T.

I never use over 2 Tablespoons of Synthrapol Low Foam in my Front Loading washing machine.

Four Seasons

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Four_SeasonsFour Seasons is a paintstik & stencil project.  A real attention grabber.  It is created using the Aspen Trees Stencil and the Mini Iridescent sets Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall and Matte Ivory Black.  White Silk/Cotton Fabric is the base fabric,  in each panel I started painting in the background using the lightest color of the season, followed by the medium, then the darkest.  When the background was the way I wanted it, Blue Painters Tape was applied to the outside of the trees.  The Ivory Black was added to add definition and show off the trees.

Fire Tree

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Fire Tree was inspired by wildfires, the colors and intensity of the wildfires are breathtaking and frightening at the same moment.  Yes, I was up-close to several wildfires during my years of guiding in Alaska.  It is a sight that stays with you.

Fire_TreeFire Tree started with a Hand Marbled Fat Quarter of Fire in Feathers Design.  Branches Reversed 12″ x 12″ is the stencil with three paintstik colors, Matte Ivory Black, Chocolate or Asphaltum (I don’t remember which, Dark Brown is the key) and Iridescent Gold.  Started by putting down a very light layer of Ivory Black as a primer, followed by a nice opaque layer of Dark Brown and finally a light wash of IR Gold to give depth and sparkle.
Fire_Tree_Scan

One of these days quilting will happen, but currently I am far to busy making more Hand Marbled Fabric for you.

How to Apply Terial Magic to Fabric

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How to Apply Terial Magic™ to Fabric.

Step 1: In a dry sink or large bowl, spray Terial Magicâ„¢ all over your fabric until it’s saturated, almost dripping.

Step 2: Squeeze out excess solution into the sink or bowl.  Make sure the entire piece of fabric is wet.  Re-spray if necessary and squeeze out excess.

Step 3: Hang to dry, about 15 to 20 minutes. I was surprised at how fast it dried.

Step 4: You can air dry most of the way and then even if it’s slightly wet, take down and iron it until it’s dry. The ironed fabric should feel stiff and paper-like.

Step 5: Cut using Rotary Cutter or sharp scissors.

The 24 oz. bottle will do 4 to 5 yards of fabric.  You can use a curling iron to shape the treated fabric. Terial Magic™ will wash away.  If your creation is going to be exposed to the elements; you can spray it with Clear Acrylic Matt Finish so it will hold its shape.
Rust-oleum Painter’s Touch
Krylon Clear

How I Use the Ultimate Marking Pencil

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The Ultimate Marking Pencil is my favorite marking tool, repeatedly I get asked how to use it.  My most frequent use is for marking guidelines for machine quilting.  I would love to say I am able to have a piece and just quilt, but the reality is I need a rough outline.  (Photo 1 & 2 below)
1_Drawing_DesignPlease note that I do not sharpen to a fine point.  I hate to waste anything.
2_Drawing_Design

This outline is rough and never set in stone and is always changing and evolving as I quilt.  (Photo 3 below)
3_Marked_Quilted

Once the Ultimate Marking Pencil is removed using a hot iron, no one know that I made changes along the way.  I love the Ultimate Marking Pencil for medium to darks, because it stays where I put it, doesn’t go away you apply heat and it stays gone.   (Photo 4 below)  You can find the Ultimate Marking Pencil  and Miracle Marker on my website.
4_Cubby_Crayon_Removed

How to use Paintstiks on Fabric

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Marbled Arts presents:
Fun with Paintstiks & Stencil on Fabric
Basic Supplies – Fabric            Paintstiks
Painters Tape                            Brushes (Paintstik & Stencil)
Freezer Paper                           Stencils
Parchment Paper                      Cleaners -Cirta-Solv, Murphy Oil Soap or Brush Soap
Paper Towels                             Sharp Knife
Handy Wipes

Misc. Supplies – Not necessary, but sure make life more fun.
Grip-N-Grip                            Permanently Repositionable Spray
Old Towel

  • Preparation
    Pre-wash fabric using non-detergent soap (Synthrapol)
    Cover work area
    Wear old clothes

Remove skin from the end of Paintstik using a sharp knife or Potato Peeler
Rub Paintstik onto palette surface (Parchment Paper)
Load paint onto Brush
Apply paint color using a gentle circular motion or dabbing motion.

  • Stencils
    Simple Stencils – Painters Tape, Freezer paper
    Per-Cut Stencils – Use the entire stencil or mask off just part of the stencil
  • Different Looks
    Single Colors
    Multiple Colors – Start with the lightest color first
    Solid, Transparent or Color Wash
  • Primers – Titanium White and Beige
  • Clean Up – Brush as much excess paint onto a paper towel.  Dip in your cleaner.  Work Paint out with a paper towel.  Repeat until brush is clean.  Then wash brushes by hand with soap and cool water.  If you are using 404 on your stencil, the formula has changed and you will need Rubbing Alcohol to clean the sticky stuff off of the stencil.
  • 404 Cleanup - Old formula cleans up with Citra-Solv, Murphy Oil Soap or Brush Cleaner.  New formula cleans up using Rubbing Alcohol.
  • Heat Setting – Allow the painted fabric to dry for 3-5 days, and then heat-set to make the colors permanent.  Set your iron to the proper setting for the fabric. Place a piece Parchment Paper on your ironing surface, put the fabric paint-side down on the parchment Paper and press.  Take your time.  When you think you have heat-set long enough, that much longer.  You cannot over heat-set, but to under heat-set is really bad.