Wearable art has become a regular in my weekly line up of painting projects.
I am connecting with more and more people that are warming up to the idea of creating art on their clothes for a unique and personal fashion experience.
This particular hand painted linen romper was VERY well received on my social media platforms.....and when that happens I know that it deserves its own blog!
So here I am with the project details, product suggestions, and a clear explanation of how you can create your own painted linen romper!
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First.....The Romper!
I LOVE these rompers (or jumpers...whatever you want to call them)!
They are a linen/cotton blend and I own them in multiple sizes and colors......like a lot of colors! You can buy this romper HERE.
Funny thing is....this particular romper was worn by me for probably a year! I then passed it down to my younger sister (paint splatters and all) because she kept saying how much she wanted one. She then proceeded to get a couple of stubborn oil stains on it that just wouldn't come out no matter what she tried. So she asked if I'd paint something pretty on it to cover the stains....because she really loved the romper and wanted to keep wearing it!
Supplies Used: Painted Linen Romper
Chalk
Sharpie Permanent Marker
Sharpie Creative Marker Black
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Painted Linen Romper: Florals!
I decided to go with a floral design.
I lined the inside of the romper with a kitchen trash bag to keep the paint from seeping through to the back side.
Creating the Design Before Paint
I drew out my design with chalk....just regular chalkboard chalk.
Once I have the design exactly the way I want it, I "set" the design in Sharpie marker.
PRO TIP: Set it with a Sharpie so you don't have to start your drawing over! I plan to use a spray bottle with water to keep the fabric damp while working on it....and spritzing with water will make your chalk drawing completely disappear! Trust me.....I know!
Painting the Floral Linen Romper
My paint of choice is Dixie Belle's Chalk Mineral paint.
I do not mix with fabric softener or fabric painting additive of any kind. I just water the paint down slightly and work on lightly damp fabric by continuing to spritz with water while I am painting.
Applying the White Base Coat
I choose to fill in my hand drawn florals with a watered down white base coat first. I usually do this with the color Fluff.
I do this to help keep the natural tone of the colors that I plan to use....and it also allows me to use less coats of paint....which helps to keep the design soft and supple.
Doesn't it look nice in solid white as well? I love this look!
Moving on to Color...
I started with my greenery first as I wanted my florals to be the outermost focus of the design. I used English Ivy, Evergreen, and Limeade to create the leaves and stems.
PRO TIP: Remember to lightly mist your fabric with water as you work......don't paint on dry fabric.
I then chose a combination of Colonel Mustard and Daisy for the large sunflower.....followed by a dark brown center painted with both Caviar and Coffee Bean.
The gorgeous fat Peony is painted in a combination of Flamingo, Apricot, and Rustic Red.
The hydrangeas/bluebonnet type flowers are very freely painted with both Peony and Dixie Belle Blue.
You can see how many paints I used here....but you actually use VERY little paint. So feel free to order the 4 oz size paints if they are available. It will be plenty and you'll have enough left to make many more jumpers!
Final Steps to Preserve the Look
I didn't take photos of these next steps.....but I can easily describe them for you:
Make the Artwork POP!
When I was completely finished painting and the fabric was dry, I gently sanded the surface of all the painted areas with a fine grit sanding sponge. This breaks back open the surface fibers of the fabric and makes it feel soft again. Make sure to dust away all powder residue before sealing.
I use a Posca pen or Sharpie Creative Marker in black to outline my entire design. This is a personal preference but if you look at the finished jumper on my precious baby sis.....you will see how the dark outline really makes the floral design pop!
Heat Set & Seal the Design
Once you've drawn your outline, it is important to heat set your design. I lay a cup towel over my painted design (you can also use a pillow case or parchment paper) and iron with NO steam. Another option is to toss into the drier for a full heat cycle spin.
For added protection, I always brush on a single layer of Easy Peasy Spray Wax. It works like Scotch Guard and really adds extra protection to your hand painted art work on fabric.
The Finished Look: Painted Linen Floral Jumper
And that's it!!!
This project is meant to be less than perfect!
It's a great style to try.....even if you think you can't draw!!
I have been so impressed by the photos sent to me ....by those of you that have already created this exact design on your own rompers!
I could not be more proud!
More Inspiration: Wearable Art
I pulled a few blogs from past projects that came to mind when working on this piece! I hope you can use them to draw inspiration for your upcoming project. Here are the additional designs for your inspiration:
Whimsical Painted Shoes - from boring white to FANCY!
Tracey's Truckers - more than just an accessory
Custom Men's Denim Jacket - stylish and personalized
Abstract Floral Denim - this one almost stumped me
Custom Painted Cowboy Hat - my granddaughter led the design plan
Be sure to visit my Hand Painted Gift Ideas Blog for many more inspirational gift ideas!
Click on any photo below for more up-close photos and all the design details
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