For the Crafty Daisies’ Book Club I decided to try the potato printing technique described in Lotta Jansdotter’s book Lotta Prints by printing up a set of tea towels. After prepping the tea towels by ironing-on freezer paper to prevent the paint from seeping through the fabric, I was ready for the potato.
With my new handy-dandy linoleum cutters, I carved a few lines, blotted the potato, and applied some fabric paint. Since I’m a hoarder and collector, I just happened to have three brands of paint: Pebeo Setacolor, Tulip, and Palmer. Tulip washes beautifully. Palmer washed out when I forgot to heat set the paint. I haven’t washed Setacolor yet, but it’s a very reputable brand so I think it’ll be fine.
After some initial test prints on paper, I progressed to the actual fabric.
This is so satisfying in its simplicity. Once I was done with the tea towels, I couldn’t just stop, so I went on to print some onesies.
But why stop at a potato. Here is an apple print.
To finish the whole thing off, I heat set the paint by baking it in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes as suggested by Pebeo. It just sounded a lot simpler than ironing each piece for 5 minutes. Five minutes can be a really long time.
Giveaway
And here are the details for the giveaway: To receive these two tea towels, you have to leave a comment with a suggestion for other craft related postings you’d like to see on this blog. I will draw the name of the lucky winner on Monday, October 27.
BTW, the gingham background is the Diva Page Kit, and the buttons are from the Buttons Element Set from the Digital Scrapbook Place Freebies page.
I’d be very interested in seeing posts relating to scrapbooking. I adore scrapbooking!
Hmm…the choices are just blowing my mind! I’m really into seasonal decorating right now. How about INEXPENSIVE seasonal decorating projects?
Wow! My sister is so creative! I’m really interested in how you made that raw potato! Where can I sign up for the FREE dish towels?
Love, Andy
I want to see some bookmarkers made from leaves :o)
Ah, I skipped the preservation part. Funny how they otherwise go brown and stinky over time. Thanks Craftwoman!
Love this!
I would love to see some great handmade holiday gift ideas!
I would love to see anything that you can sew!
I’m an at-home mom of a 1 year old so I don’t have much time for extensive craft projects right now. I would love to see ideas for satisfying, but quick craft projects–whatever medium.
Very cool printing! I’m going to have to get my hands on this book.
How very cute. I will have to try out some of those paints. The ones I used were dimensional paints, so I didn’t like how they turned out very well.I would like to see crafted Christmas gift ideas. I am making most of my Christmas gifts this year and I would love some ideas.