I decided I wanted to add a bit of specialized artwork to some of the outfits I make, so I thought I would give Tulip fabric paint a try. When I went shopping for it at my local craft store I discovered that there were three different “kinds” available to me: matte, sparkly, and glossy. I opted to try a few in each category to see which ones I liked better.
The first thing I noticed is that the fabric paint is smooth and silky coming out of the tube. This is crucial to do any work with it. If the paint were thick, it would be hard to work with. Because of its smooth consistency, it is easily worked with on the fabric, whether straight from the container or brushed on. This was the case with all three kinds (matte, glossy, and sparkly).
I noticed, too, that the paint worked a lot like acrylic paint. This was a big deal to me, because that is the type of paint I typically paint with as an artist. Tulip fabric paint is easily blended. You can add a dab of white to a dab of red and make pink. This is especially important because it helps to save money. There’s no need to buy pink if you can make it yourself. Also, like acrylic paint, it brushes on easily and can be blended on the fabric itself, so you can paint on fabric in the same way that you can paint on canvas with acrylic paints.
The design of the bottles is ingenious. Not only are the bottles shaped like a tulip (very fitting), but the bottles are designed so that you can stand them upside down so that the paint is right at the opening when you go to use it. When the caps are screwed on, a seal is formed keeping air from reaching the paint so that the paint doesn’t dry out. The paint, when being applied, comes out through a small tube so when using it directly on the fabric (like if you were making raised lettering), it is easily maneuverable.
When painting on the fabric, and you end up putting paint somewhere you didn’t want the paint, you can easily wipe the paint off with a wet cloth. This must be done immediately, however, because the paint dries quickly. That’s another thing I like about the paint, drying time. Even areas where the paint is thick it only takes a few hours before its dry to the touch.
Tulip paint is also durable. If you follow the directions on the bottle (wash the fabric first, wait 24 hours for the paint to be completely dry before handling, and not washing in hot water), then the paint maintains its adherence to the material through several washings. The only negative is that you must air dry the garment painted on, because, apparently heat causes the paint to melt and flake.
Tulip fabric paint has been a great tool for me. I am very satisfied with this product. And with a price of approximately $2.00 a bottle, it’s a steal too.
