Large marigold printed fabric - part 1

A Large Marigold Printed Piece of Fabric

Molly teaches you how to lino print a beautiful large piece of fabric that can be a showstopper for any room, drawing inspiration from beautiful Indian marigolds.

Equipment

• Worn-in French linen fabric
• Sketchbook or notebook
• Lino cutting toolset
• Pre-mounted lino block
• White drum lampshade
• Stippler
• Eco fabric paint
• Printing pad
• Grade 150 sandpaper
• Felt or old wool blankets as padding

Lesson Summary

• I begin by drawing a pattern in my sketchbook.
• I trace over my design with tracing paper and a pencil once I am satisfied with it.
• I use a black marker pen to go over my pencil outline because pencil can sometimes rub off while carving.
• Allow the lino to warm up by placing it near a radiator for a few minutes to make it easier to carve.

Carving the Lino

• The V-shaped tool is used to work on the fine details.
• The U-shaped tool is used to carve out the larger areas.
• I begin by carving out the more intricate areas.

Print Onto Paper First

• I constructed my printing pad from scraps of plywood and two pieces of felt.
• I suggest sanding the lino block before printing.
• Instead of squeezing the lino block onto the printing pad, gently lift the paint off the pad.
• Wash the fabric with a light detergent like Ecover and give it a very good iron.
• My fabric is 138cm wide.
• Make sure your pad is damp with paint.

Your Assignment

Experiment with drawing different marigolds or other flower designs and create your own large printed piece of fabric.