Nudge your child’s creativity with fabric painting

Painting is fun for kids. If you want to add a twist to it, introduce them to another surface. We are here to talk about fabric painting today. A child, especially a middle schooler who likes painting on paper, would probably like this too. However, it’s a very different medium altogether. Kids can create unique and beautiful designs on their shirts, pillow covers, plain bed sheets, cushion covers, bags etc. Now let’s look at how to go about it.  

How to prepare for fabric painting? 
The first thing you need to choose is not colours, but the surface your tween can paint on. Is it a cotton t-shirt, or do you want your child to experiment first on a humble tablecloth? Or is it a project to paint on several pieces? The next step is to choose the design. Get your kid to draw it in pencil first. She may want to use stencils. For small children, vegetable prints can also be fun. In that case, get the diced lady’s finger or potato ‘stars’ or other cut vegetable together. The fabric both of you have chosen should be washed, dried and smoothened out. Ideally, iron the fabric, so that no wrinkles remain. There should be no starch in the cloth: It will spoil the effect.  

How to apply the paint?  
Here is a step-by-step guide for the application of fabric painting for your child to follow: 

• Place a piece of cardboard or thick paper underneath the piece of cloth.  
• Use board clips to hold the cloth smoothly in place over the hard surface below it.  
• Depending on the design and type of colour, you will use a brush or a nozzle fitted on the tube. Make sure you read the application instructions inside your box of colours first.
• Do not use softener or water to dilute the paint, unless it is expressly mentioned in the instructions, which is not likely.  
• If you want an effect, mix sparkles or glitters in the paint before applying it. Sprinkling on it after painting will not be so effective.  
• Once the painting is done, put the cloth out to dry, but not under direct sunlight.  
• Don’t wash for the next 5 days, the colour may not hold.