I have been creating cyanotype prints on fabric since I learned about the process from Sue Reno in 2006. I enjoy the process and I feature cyanotype prints in many of my art quilts. I’ve used pre-treated cotton, raw silk, china silk and silk organza to create my prints. Each fabric features it’s particular fingerprint in the process, each one revealing subtleties that I like. I particularly enjoy the range of blue colors that the different fabrics produce — from delicate light blue to bold, dark blue — each appropriate to the unique setting that I use them in.
Recent Instagram posts have revealed experimentation by artists creating wet cyanotypes, tagged #wetcyan. The artists working on fabric posted results spraying water on their fabric and leaving it in the sun for long periods of exposure, 24 hours or more. My practice with the dry method has allowed for exposure for about 10 minutes. I had to try this.
I had pre-treated fabric that I brought with me from California — translation: it was over 2 years old. My supplier recommends using the treated fabric within 6 months. But what did I have to lose? I had white pre-treated fabric and a small amount of yellow pre-treated fabric. After gathering a few botanicals I got busy.
I sprayed the work surface, placed the fabric on top, positioned the fern and wild blackberry leaves, and sprayed the fabric surface. A sheet of glass was placed on top. Click on images for a larger view.
Within minutes I could see there was action. Color began to appear and the intense afternoon sun was cooking the leaves.
At noon the following day the chemicals were still reacting and creating a stew of colors.
I brought the fabric in and rinsed it out after 24 hours exposure. Here it is drying.
I was thrilled with the yellow, orange, brown and green colors that were revealed. Here are two more prints done at the same time. That’s rosemary on the left, Queen Anne’s Lace on the right.
My next experiment used smaller pieces of fabric and a shorter exposure time.
Again, the chemical reactions were happening immediately.
Here they are, dry.
I couldn’t resist a refrigerator raid for some Italian flat-leaf parsley.
And here are the printed scraps of yellow fabric I had. I love the dramatic colors on these!
I will be ordering more fabric from my supplier. I am eager to see if there is a significant difference in the chemical reactions with freshly treated fabric. Stay tuned.
What have you been experimenting with lately?
Exciting! Love to see what you are doing! Can’t wait to see what you incorporate with them. yay!
I have a stack of possibilities on my work surface already. I will be putting prints on the design wall shortly.
What a great result. Can’t wait to see these new colors being worked into your collection
I’m revved up to do just that!
oooh these are beautiful. i especially love the Italian parsley one with its discharge look!
I am loving the surprises.
This is very cool!
Thanks Karen! Stay tuned. xo
Franki! This is so interesting!! Looking forward to the next installment.
Stay tuned!
These are wonderful. I can see a whole new series coming. Would you share where you acquire your cyan fabrics?
Thanks Sara! Yes, indeed, I’m eager to begin a project with these prints. I purchase my prepared fabric from http://www.blueprintsonfabric.com/. Have fun!
Those are magnificent. I am anxious to see the next round of experiments.
Thanks Ann! I am too. Right after I started these experiments I went to a 4-day class on botanical printing! Still trying to catch up. Stay tuned.
These turned out great, Franki! Isn’t it exciting to find new tricks for this tried and true process? I’ll look forward to seeing the results from your next batch of experiments. And thanks for the shoutout.
Thank you Sue! It is very exciting to be creating these prints. I am eager to try more experimenting. Before I do that I need to catch up after a 4-day class on botanical printing. Shoutout required. I always like to acknowledge where I find my inspiration.
Hello Franki ! What do you mean by « pre treated fabric » ? I only know the process of doing my own emulsion and apply. Is there another step to do for fabric specifically ?
Ahh, sorry about the confusion here. I purchase my fabric already prepared with the chemical that creates the cyanotype print so I think of it as “pre-treated”. Some fiber artists are buying the chemical and prepping their fabric. I don’t want to be bothered with that step.
love the colours! did you use any other chemicals to get a reaction when wet cyanotyping ? such as salt, bicarb etc ?
No, I didn’t use anything other than water. Pretty cool!
I love this! I’m going to experiment with water from different sources, my lake, city chlorinated, our well h2o. Melted snow. Another dimension! thanks
Good luck and have fun!