What to consider before using fabric paints in embroidery projects

If you're looking to add some personality and creativity to your embroidery project, fabric paints and fabric fine tip markers are excellent tools to consider. Both are versatile and easy to use, but they each have their own strengths and weaknesses that I want to share with you based on my personal experience.

You want to consider fabric painting or fabric markers if you want to experiment with mixing different mediums in your embroidery projects. Fabric paints or fabric markers, in combination with threads of various thicknesses, can help you create depth in your embroidery design. However, there are few things to consider before starting your new embroidery project using fabric paints or fabric markers.

Fine Tip Fabric Markers

Let's start with fabric fine tip markers. The main advantage of these markers is that they have a fine tip, which allows for greater control over the lines you draw on your fabric. This is especially important if you're creating detailed designs or lettering as seen in the portrait of Ada Lovelace above. Additionally, fabric markers dry quickly, so you don't have to worry about smudging your design.

However, one of the downsides of fabric markers is that they are not very good for shading or blending colors. If you're looking to create a design with different shades of the same color or a gradient effect, where colors blend smoothly, fabric markers may not be the best choice. Another thing to keep in mind is that fabric markers can stain thread, so it's best to apply them before adding any threads to your fabric. And also be careful with accidentally staining the fabric outside of your design area because the marker stain will be difficult to remove.

Fabric Paints

Now let's talk about fabric paints. One of the biggest advantages of fabric paint is that it's great for shading and blending colors. You can mix different colors to create your own unique shades. For example, you can use a brush to create a watercolor effect, or you can use a sponge or stencil to create a pattern.

However, fabric paint does have some drawbacks. First of all, it takes longer to dry than fabric markers. This means you may have to wait longer before you can move on to the next step of your project. Additionally, if you dilute the paint too much with water, it can bleed into the fabric and create a blurry effect. It's important to be careful with how much water you add to the paint and to test it on a small area before applying it to your entire project. I've used Jacquard fabric paints in my projects - one of them pictured above (available in my Etsy shop) - and they recommend diluting their paint with up to 25% water if you need to.

Both fabric markers and fabric paints need to be set into the fabric after you've completed your design to ensure that they don't wash out or fade over time. It's best to leave both the markers and the paints to air dry for 24 hours. Then, heat set the markers by ironing on the reverse side of the fabric for 3-5 minutes at the high tempreture. And as for the fabric paints, heat set both sides of the fabric at the highest temperature suited for the fabric you work on. However, in both cases, just to be safe, I would handwash the finished project instead of tossing it into the washing machine.  

In conclusion, fabric paints and fabric fine tip markers are both great tools for adding color and personality to your embroidery projects. Fabric markers are great for creating detailed designs and drying quickly, while fabric paints are great for shading and blending colors. Just be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of each tool before deciding which one to use for your project. And always remember to heat set the paint or marker into the fabric to ensure that it lasts for a long time.

Happy stitching and painting!