Fabric paints are meant to be used on most any type of fabric but there are some materials that simply aren’t appropriate for use with the paints. Not so with denim. Denim is the perfect canvas for painting fabulous images, and that being true, you can create one-of-a-kind designs that enhance the look of your ordinary jeans.
There are two ways to use fabric paints on cloth. You can dispense the paints directly from the tube or bottle, and you can also place some of the paint on a pallet and use a brush to create your design. Each method gives a different look to the pattern. Dispensing the paints from the bottle will give you dimension since the paints will come out in thick lines on the denim. Using a brush will give you a softer look to the pattern.
When using brushes you’ll need a small brush for outlining and a larger brush for filling in larger areas. If you’re dispensing the paint from the bottle you’ll still need a paint brush if you intend to fill in areas on the denim.
Stencils are available in many stores but in a specialty craft store you’ll find a huge assortment. They are, however, a little costly if you purchase large ones, so there are some alternatives to denim jean painting.
Pictures from magazines or coloring books work well as a design pattern for denims. Outline the image with the fabric paints, then turn the paper upside down, onto the jeans. The image will transfer onto the denim but keep in mind that it will become a mirror image of the original pattern.
You can also make cuts or holes in the picture then use a pen to mark the pattern onto the denim. Carbon paper is another option when wanting to create an elaborate design. After you’ve transferred the design onto the denim simply use the fabric paints to outline and color in the image.
Rubber stamps are another option when wanting to decorate your denims. The stamps can be found in a large assortment and they work well with fabric paints. Just squirt some of the paint onto a pallet and press the stamp into the paint. It’s advisable to stamp the image once on a paper towel or newspaper before stamping it onto the jeans. This will eliminate excess paint and give you a clear vision of how the image will look on your denims. If the image is faint, for instance, you may want to press the stamp into the paint once more. If the image is smeared you may want to stamp it on paper or paper towels a couple more times, before stamping on the denim, to eliminate the excess paint.
To make easy stripes down the side seam of your denim jeans dip a string or yarn into the fabric paint. Use a paper towel to wipe off excess paint then align the string on the seam of the denim. Press down on the string, with a paper towel, but don’t slide your hand down the string. Doing so can cause the paint to smear. Instead, pat the string until the color transfers to the denim.
The string method works well to create curly-q’s and similar patterns. Just carefully arrange the string on the denim and pat. Achieve different looks depending upon the bulk of the string. Rope, ribbon and similar items can each give the paints a unique appearance, after transferring to the jeans.
Using the same pattern you can make different looks on each pair of jeans simply by choosing a different type of fabric paint. They’re available in slick and shiny types, pearl types, glitter, metallic and even puffy. Each type gives the denim garment a completely different appearance than the others.
Not much of an artist? Try making simple dots of glitter paint down the sides of your jeans. Or, just cut a narrow rectangle out of cardboard and use it as a stencil to stripe the sides of the denims. There are many different ways to apply the paints, and have them turn out perfectly, without being a real painter or artist.
Try making designs down the side seams, around the pockets, or even at the flair, or boot cut of the pant legs. Create an entire village scene at the bottom of the leg, or just draw flowers and other simple patterns. The choice of design is yours.
Why walk around in ordinary jeans when you can easily create jeans that grab the attention of others. And, if you enjoy embellished jeans, you’ll save a fortune over store-bought designs that others are wearing as well. You’re unique. Your jeans can be too. Get some fabric paints and see what wonderful things you can create yourself!
Reference:
- Buy fabric paints here: www.michaels.com
