What kind of paint/pen do you use to draw on fabric?

Question

What kind of paint/pen do you use to draw on fabric? I'm trying to draw/paint my own artwork on some clothing pieces I made, but I don't know what kind of pen/paint to use. and where can I get it (other than ebay) Can anyone help me out? Thanks

I would prefer that name of the product, but anything will do as long as it is the right stuff.

Answer 1

I've seen it at JoAnn's Fabrics. Michaels might have it too. There are pens, tubes, and also "liquid embroidery"

Answer 2

Partly that depends on the type of fabric you're drawing/painting on, and the thickness and detail of lines/brushstrokes you want.

(Some people who want to paint on fabric will do it with special paints/inks onto silk ...especially onto blank silk scarves.)

You can paint on cotton or other natural fabrics though with *acrylic* paints, or with acrylic paints to which acrylic "textile medium" (from the craft store) has been added which just makes acrylic paint more supple after drying (or you can use "fabric paints" which already have the textile medium added).

You can also thin acrylic paint with *water* then use it like watercolors --let areas dry first if you don't want them to spread further, or before you paint any other colors on that you don't want to mix since that will change the original color.

You can also use certain "oil pastels" to draw on fabric though those may not last as well after washing, etc. (those are best on 100% cotton or 100% polyester fabrics --can't remember).

As for pens, again it depends on the effect you want.  

In addition to using brushes of various kinds (or even sponges/etc) with acrylic paints, etc. as above, you can also use "fabric markers" (which come in colors) or many permanent markers (though some will bleed, soon or later ... *pigment* pens/markers are best, not "Sharpies", and those come in various widths and a few colors).  

Also, you'll usually want to stabilize the fabric before drawing/painting on it and to keep the colorants from soaking into the back side, etc.  You can do that *temporarily* for painting/drawing by ironing the fabric to the shiny side of freezer paper, or pressing it to a piece of cardboard/etc that's been sprayed with spray adhesive (then let dry a bit so any bonding will be temporary), or pressing it to very fine sandpaper, or even stretching it across a frame in some way.  Remove after drying.

You should be able to buy acrylic paints and the other things at most any craft store, or at art supply or hobby stores.  Some of them will even be available at drug stores, Target, etc.

HTH and have fun!

Diane B.

Answer 3

Folk Art Fabric Paint ( has a small tee shirt on the lid )works Great. Available at Michael's ;)))