Screen Printing Project for end of the year BASH

This week I am working with a friend of mine, Michelle. She hosts an end of the year BASH every year for both of her girls and I have been fortunate to have been involved for about 3 years. This year we decided to step it up a notch and introduce the kids to screen printing. Because of the different ages of kids I had to make sure that it was easy, but the results were exciting enough for the older (6th graders) to still think it was "cool". There will be about 50 kids in this bunch so I did a sample to make sure it was as fantastic as my mind said it could be.

I had recently come across a screen printing technique on a DIY site that used recycled materials (which I love to use whenever possible) and was simple in directions. So I was off to the EastBay to hopefully find sheer curtains or fabric that I could recyle. The fabric would be cut and then used as our screen fabric inside of a needlepoint hoop.

I had to share a few extra photos. The East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse always has a variety of goods and you are never sure what you will find. Fun colors, textures and images, don't you think?


Success! Found the fabric and have a picture. Thanks to Wesley who is a 1st grader at Olive Elementary School in Novato, the picture was from a relief drawing we did on cone 5 clay.
Now it was time to trace the picture with a waterproof pen onto the fabric that had been tightened in a needlepoint hoop. After I traced it I then used Mod Podge, which is a waterproof glue, on the outside of the drawing and any other place I did not want the fabric paint to go. I let the glue dry, which didn't take long because of the beautifully warm day we are having.

I then used black fabric paint on an art shirt I use for students as smocks.
After I had slathered the paint on it was time for the unveiling! The students are going to fight over who gets to use this shirt I just know it.

I loved the results so much I took off my shirt and made myself one. Have it on right now as a matter of fact! I learned that the screens are reusable which is great. The screens have to be washed immediately though because the paint dries very quickly and begins to fill the holes in the fabric. My red shirt shows some of this. However, I don't mind. I am one of those artists that enjoys the surprises and I think the difference in paint shows some tone difference that enhance the look a bit.Thanks Wesley! Without your drawing this wouldn't be half as successful or cute! I think the kids at this bash are going to have a great time making their own drawing and then incorporating it into a screen printed wonder. Hopefully I will have a chance to take a photo or two to post if it isn't too crazy!