Follow this quick glue resist fabric dyeing tutorial, and learn how to use craft glue and fabric paint to add beautiful designs to fabric.
Let’s use the glue resist method to paint beautiful designs onto fabric.
What is Glue Resist Fabric Dyeing?
It’s so simple!
- Designs are “drawn” on fabric using washable glue. The dried glue acts as a resist to the any applied dye or paint.
- Dye or paint is brushed or sprayed on and let dry.
- The glue resist is washed out, leaving behind a beautiful design.
This process for this craft project is so basic, yet it can be customized in countless ways. Change up the design with your glue. Use a variety of paint colors. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.
Glue Resist Fabric Dyeing
Supplies needed for this craft:
- cotton fabric
- Elmers glue, or other washable glue
- fabric paint – any kind, as long as it does NOT need to be heat set before washing
- spray bottle
Tutorial: Glue Resist Fabric Art with Fabric Paint
Watch this quick video or follow the written step-by-step instructions below:
- Lay your cotton fabric flat on your work surface.
- Use the tip of the glue bottle to apply any design to your fabric. Heavy lines work better than skinny ones. I chose a simple floral/leaf pattern for the larger bag, and the word “wild” for the smaller bag. Get creative. There are endless design possibilities.
- Mix the paint and water in a spray bottle. I used roughly a 2:1 ratio of water to paint. You just want to water the paint down enough that it can be sprayed.
- Protect your work surface with paper or cardboard. Spray the paint mixture onto the fabric.
- Let the paint dry completely according to the directions on the bottle. For my brand of paint, it was 3 days.
- Wash the fabric in cold water. Lay flat to dry.
Craft TIPs:
Don’t trust yourself to freehand a design? Don’t worry! Use a washable marker to very lightly sketch out your design. The marker will wash out with the glue.
Don’t like your glue design? Wash and dry the fabric. Then start again.
Looking for design inspiration? Try repetitive patterns – think waves, dots, triangles, scales, spirals, or even cartoon-style animals or items.
Don’t rush this craft. This craft involves LOTS of dry time, for BOTH the glue and the paint. Be sure to let the paint dry completely (preferably overnight) before adding the paint. Then read the paint instructions carefully to be sure it has cured completely before washing. This may take several days.
Other Fabric Dyeing Crafts I think you’ll LOVE:
- I love projects that involve using my scraps and leftovers, so these watercolor style no sew fabric bookmarks were a must-make craft!
- Learn how to make DIY Shibori Napkins for your dinner table. The graphic blue and white designs offer a modern pop using an ancient Japanese technique.
Glue Resist Fabric Dyeing
Follow this quick glue resist fabric dyeing tutorial, and learn how to use craft glue and fabric paint to add beautiful designs to fabric.
Materials
- cotton fabric
- Elmers glue, or other washable glue
- fabric paint - any kind, as long as it does NOT need to be heat set before washing
- spray bottle
Instructions
- Lay your cotton fabric flat on your work surface.
- Use the tip of the glue bottle to apply any design to your fabric. Heavy lines work better than skinny ones. I chose a simple floral/leaf pattern for the larger bag, and the word "wild" for the smaller bag. Get creative. There are endless design possibilities.
- Mix the paint and water in a spray bottle. I used roughly a 2:1 ratio of water to paint. You just want to water the paint down enough that it can be sprayed.
- Protect your work surface with paper or cardboard. Spray the paint mixture onto the fabric.
- Let the paint dry completely according to the directions on the bottle. For my brand of paint, it was 3 days.
- Wash the fabric in cold water. Lay flat to dry.
Notes
Don’t trust yourself to freehand a design? Don’t worry! Use a washable marker to very lightly sketch out your design. The marker will wash out with the glue.
Don’t like your glue design? Wash and dry the fabric. Then start again.
Looking for design inspiration? Try repetitive patterns – think waves, dots, triangles, scales, spirals, or even cartoon-style animals or items.
Don’t rush this craft. There is LOTS of dry time involved in this craft, for BOTH the glue and the paint. Be sure to let the paint dry completely (preferably overnight) before adding the paint. Then read the paint instructions carefully to be sure it has cured completely before washing. This may take several days.
Don’t forget to PIN this craft for later:
Love this! I’m wondering if this could be done with glue and bleach for a color/black tee-shirt? Would the glue hold up to the bleach before being laundered to remove it? Just a thought.