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Recently I felt inspired to create something using two of my favorite mediums, paint and embroidery thread.

I thought it would be fun to play with some poster paint, that came in an art kit that I bought on clearance right after the holidays.

I wasn’t sure poster paint would dye the plain white cotton fabric that I had chosen, but you don’t know until you play around.

To get the design of the sunset and mountains I drew them onto the fabric with an ordinary mechanical pencil. I drew very slowly and lightly because I wasn’t sure pencil marks could be erased. White can be so temperamental.

Lining the table with wax paper, I set my fabric on top so that the wetness wouldn’t ruin my oak table.

Next, it was time to mix up the poster paint. I mixed up 1 part paint to 2 parts water. I liked the intense colors that splashed across the fabric.

I was hoping to keep the bright colors.

After I finished painting I rinsed the fabric under cold water, making sure to hold the light color up and face the black downward in the sink so that the black wouldn’t stain the lighter color.

Next, I sprayed the wet fabric with vinegar hoping to lock in what was left of the color. Then I got out my iron and set it on the cotton setting and ironed the fabric dry.  (*note* Do not iron your fabric on top of wax paper, I ironed onto paper towels on top of my ironing board.)

Once the fabric was dry I wet it again and hand-washed it with some dish soap. Then I ironed it dry once again.

After the fabric was dry I put it into the washer with a load of clothes because the square of fabric that I painted on was going to be the centerpiece of a quilt.  I didn’t want the quilt to be ruined after one wash.

To my surprise, the paint held fairly well.

It was time to stitch something onto the painted fabric.

I chose a piece of scripture that the Holy Spirit gave me late last fall to work on in my own life. The reason why I chose that scripture is that it’s simple and will be stitched into a quilt made by my mom for her church to be given to either a homeless shelter or a battered women’s shelter.

Rejoice always free PDF embroidery pattern <— Click Here for Stitches that were used:

1 Thessalonians 5:16 – backstitching

Rejoice Always – French knots with backstitching to outline the knots

Poster paints used:

• Yellow
• Red
• Blue
• Black

Thread used:

• DMC 825

My hope is that this project will inspire you to come up with your own creations. Please leave me a link to your creations so I can see what you chose to stitch and paint.