I’m so excited to share your new favorite book today! It’s called Playful Fabric Printing. Have you ever wanted to play with fabric printing or making your own cloth? This is the book for you. I’m a little biased though. My amazing friend, artist, textile designer, and activist, Melanie Testa, teamed up with Carol Soderlund to create the very first imprint of the brand new publishing house by bright light, Pokey Bolton, called Crafting a Life. And let me just say, if this first book is any indication of what Pokey is up to, prepare to be amazed.
I had the privilege of teaching at Pokey’s second ann
ual Craft Napa event two weeks ago in Napa. And I saw all these talented people plus many others for our annual crafting love-fest. Never heard of Craft Napa? You might want to check it out here. This year’s event attracted 200 giddy, curious, brave women who spent three glorious days learning painting, collage, quilting, and fa
bric printing techniques–when not tasting wine, that is! It is a highlight of my year and I look so forward to next year’s event already. Do investigate it and make sure to sign up for the newsletter because next years event will be announced in the summer. Come play with us in 2018.
Back to the book–it details everything you need to know. First, basics of design and inspiration for printed designs. Second, color blending and mixing with dyes (which works a bit differently than paint). Third, technical info about creating thermofax screens and the tools you need to print (in a non-intimidating way). Fourth, designing collections of prints so the prints coordinate. This book is a gem!
As a fabric designer, I honestly don’t know much about hand-printed fabrics and I’m so excited to explore this more in my studio. Here is the complete line-up of the participants in this week’s book launch blog party! And guess what? You can enter to win a copy of the book at each stop by leaving a copy on each blog, or you can buy your copy today here. LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW TO WIN YOUR OWN COPY!
January 23: Melly Testa
I’m really excited about this book. I’m currently de-stashing and just ran across a secret stash of dye powders just waiting for this book!
The more I see of this book, the more I yearn for!
Even though I’ve been dying and printing fabric for years this book looks so intriguing.
This looks a fabulous book!
Oh I’d love this book. I’ve experimented with 🇦🇺 Native leaves – gum, tea tree, grevillea, which is fun, but would love to learn more.
The book looks awesome… thanks for a chance to win it!
I too would love to win this book as there are many techniques I have never tried in it.
I love that this book is such a great collaboration of very talented women. Very timely.
My thermofax machine has been on loan for months, but I recalled it after reading several days of blog hop. Tomorrow afternoon I’m gearing up to play with my dye, craft knife and foam. Yeah! Let the creative inspiration flow….
I’ve never thought to dye my own designs. This book tour has been quite an inspiration. Thanks grinnie1961 at gmail dot com
Wow! This book looks not only beautiful but so inspiring and informative. Can’t wait to read it!
Looks amazing. must try and would love to win…
Thanks for the chance to win this wonderful book!
Would just love to win this book and play with the techniques described.
I’m always interested in learning something new and haven’t ventured into fabric printing – yet 😉
Awesome….what a great book for the dying trend! Love it❤️
I’d love to win a copy. I see a lot of wonderful things to learn and try in here.
Would love to win and give these techniques a try! Thanks for the chance.
So many new ideas !
l Love seeing what everyone else has done with their own fabric and inspiration! It is great to have a full text book to carry in to the studio when dyeing or painting fabric. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
This is coming up in my mind as a must-have book. Everything I see about it is awesome! Can’t wait until it ends up in my hands, one way or another. Winning a copy would be superb!
Thank you for sharing. I would love to win this book.
Looks like a wonderful and useful book.
I’ve got the dye & it looks like the book has some new ways of using them.
What a great winter project this would be!
I would love to win this book!
This looks like such an exciting one.
Looks like such a great book, and your post inspires me to get iut my fabric and paints and get printing!
Would love to learn more about carving my own stamps and making thermofax screens.
This may be the book I need to get over my fear of using dyes and screens. Would love to win. Thanks for sharing!
I can’t wait to get my hands on this book. I don’t do much with paints, dyes, or thermofax but have always wanted to play in that arena. I think this book would help me structure some productive playtime.
Would love to win this innovative book.
This looks so cool. I wonder what the minimum number of supplies/cost would be to just try it out.
I have been a fan of Melanie Testa for many years, since I first watched her on Quilting Arts TV with host Pokey Bolton (imagine that). I love her passion, her talent and her ability to inspire! This book, partnering with Carol Soderlund (another very talented fiber artist), should be over-the-top amazing! I do a minimal amount of dyeing fabrics but would love to zero in on dyeing with colors I really want–need to know the ins and outs of dye approach.
SO good to see a post from you in my inbox! 🙂 I pre-ordered the book and am enjoying it. I wish everyone best of luck to win a copy! :))
How exciting! I can’t wait to see the book. I love the idea of printing my own fabrics.
Love your triangle necklace! Anxious to see the book and try some of these myself!
This looks like a wonderful technique book with all kinds of great tips and projects! Thanks for sharing.
Pulling out my fabric dyes again, so I NEED this book! It looks so inspiring!!
I’m a beginner. I need this book!
Your quilts are beautiful. I look forward to reading this book so I can learn how to create unique fabrics for my quilts.
looks like a fab book! thanks for the chance to win
Looks like a fantastic book!
Thanks for giving us a peak into the book. It looks amazing and full of inspiration. I’d love to win it and appreciate the chance. Cheers!
I want this book! Looks like a lot of fun.
Thanks for the chance to win this book. I could learn a lot from it!
Wow, the details you shared about this book make me more and more excited about the possibility of winning it. Thank you for the opportunity. That looks like it would be a wonderful addition to my creative library.
I’m so sorry for commenting twice. It was in error
Makes me even more excited about the book! Thanks!
Have always loved your fabrics but I really love that you’re now a part of this diversely fabulous group of blog hoppers! And it goes without saying that I really, really, really would love a copy of this book!
Yes, this book looks amazing! So excited to have a chance to win with all of you fabulously creative bloggers! Thank you!
I am loving this book. I mostly do paper but want more fabric in my projects. Need to learn more.
Lovely! I cant wait to try it out
This looks like a fun read, I’d love to check it out 😊
Wow!!!! Very inspirational!!!!! I need to get back to my roots.
I’m SO excited about this book! (Looks like a LOT of creative fun ahead for me!)
Pat T.