Craft Chi

After Blue Genie (where I was a working tornado)  I found myself with a ton of fabric scraps.  Most of them were misprinted fabric pieces.  I was able to sort through most of the issues I was having with printing and I learned alot and refined my process, but I couldn’t quite bring myself to throw away the misprinted fabric which was unique and interesting in it’s own way and that was the result of my hardwork and effort.  So, I decided I would try to use most of the fabric scraps and combine the best pieces to create interesting color combinations.  This is how I set about doing it.

1. Get Organized!

Stack fabric by color and approximate size

Sort fabric by size.  Then color.  Then decide on the best sizes and cut in-between sizes to the next smaller size which allows for more variety in color for each size.  While this process is a bit tedious, you end up with delicious stacks of fabric that can really jumpstart your imagination

Store fabric scraps together and keep them handy for projects

2.  Decide on the best use for each size fabric scraps you have.

I pieced together several scraps to make this cool belt

I also made this wrist cuff that my daughter immediately swiped from me.

For larger peices, I decided I would make zipper pouches.  For the smaller pieces, there are many, many options.  The most common include Quilting and Applique.

I appliqued circles to this linen to make a cute tea towel

Use matching thread to accent the fabric color

For the tiniest, pieces I decided to use them as labels.  Print the design using a Gocco printer or a rubber stamp and then use fusible seam tape to attach to the your projects!

I used thin short pieces to make iron-on labels

I also had some really small pieces that were too pretty to throw away and too small to make into labels so I decided to just use fusible tape and a single stitch to make this fabric ring.  My daughter also tried to steal this from me but I wouldn’t give it to her.  Come to think of it, I haven’t seen for a couple of days….hmmm?

This small scrap made a lovely fabric ring

I secured the ring with a single stitch

Long, thin strips of fabric, can be turned into bias tape or be used as ribbon.

Scrap fabric strips can be used as embellishment, bias tape or ribbon

I used this long strip to create this cool ruffled ribbon embellishment

3.Have fun and get artistic!

I never would have imagined that I would be able to find uses for  some of the ratty pieces of fabric I have but sometimes the combined affect of the fabric is really pretty.  I used the selvedges to create a pretty display tea towel.  The tea towel itself was a dye stained piece of linen that I had leftover.  I used the fabric to cover up the dye stains.

I used these ratty selvedges as embellishment

Some other ideas for use of scraps included using pieces to make fabric covered buttons and key chains. I used scrap bias tape strips that I’d made for another project to make the loop.

I made this keychain and button too!

Many of us Gocco lovers have been left scrambling since Gocco announced it would cease production several months ago.  Since then, I’ve been researching alternatives and have found a few resources.  You can use a Thermofax or Screenfax to expose the screen mesh and then adhere it to a cereal box frame.

Alternately, I’m very excited to try these new Gocco plastic frames.  I was so happy to receive these from Guenther at Panenka in Germany.  The nice thing about these frames is that they can be rescreened and reused many times.  My cereal box method requires covering cardboard frames in packing tape if they are to be made waterproof but these can be used for Gocco’s waterbased fabric inks as well as the oil inks.   Also, they seem to very sturdy and yet thin enough to fit into the Gocco frame holder.

As you know, I also provide imaged screens via my etsy page that can be used to rescreen these frames if you should run out frames.

Currently, these plastic frames are available only through this European site.  However, I’m sure if enough interest is generated here the US, they can be made available in the US.

***Important Update*** I just realized that the 200-mesh that comes on a roll says “not for use with Gocco Print Lamps”.  I somehow overlooked this fact. The print lamps over burn the image and therefore do now retain fine detail.  I apologize for this.  I will still be selling the unimaged 70-mesh screens in my shop.  However, I will have to image the 200-mesh on my Screenfax and mail the screen to you with your image already on it…Best, Amy

Okay, so I just got a Gocco machine and I LOVE it.  I’ve been printing using thermal imaged screens for many years and I finally got a Gocco machine and some Riso ink and I’m sooo hooked.  Figures, since RISO just announced they are discontinuing them.  As a result, places to get supplies are bit hard to find.  So, I decided to make my own masters.

Gather supplies:

- 3 Cereal boxes or Paperboard for each Master (trimmed and ready to go)

- Screen Template (cut out and ready to go)
or an old B6 Master with the screen cut out to use as a template

- Mesh - 70-Mesh for fabric or 200-Mesh for paper (which I am now selling in my shop)

- Scissors, craft knife, cutting mat

- Glue or Spray Adhesive

- Packing tape

- Copier Transparency or sturdy Cellophane cut to 5.5 by 7 inches (1 per master)

- Double-sided tape

Step 1

Trace your template. I cut my template from cardstock and even so had trouble with it curling.  So, I found it helpful to use repositionable spray adhesive on the back to hold it flat while I traced it.

Step 2

Cut traced templates out and glue together. I found it helpful to use scissors for the outside and a craft knife for the inner square.  You will need at least 3 paperboard cutouts for each  master. Glue them together using spray adhesive or glue.

Step 3

Test fit the masters and trim edges if necessary. Try putting the master into your gocco, if it’s too tight, trim the edges.  I found this very easy to do using a craft knife and ruler.  Also, I cut easily through the thickness by scoring w/ medium pressure and several passes with the craft knife.

Step 4

Trim corners. This will help your master slide into place more easily.

Step 5

Draw an arrow on your frame. Lay the frame down as you would put it into your screen and draw the arrow on it to remind you how to put the master into your gocco.

Step 6

Wrap with packing tape. Use packing tape to protect the cardboard and make it sturdier.  Also so you can use water-based inks and wash them off in the sink.  It also helps to when removing a used a screen.

Step 7

Tape Screen to Frame.

7a. Apply double-sided tape to the side that does not have an arrow on it.  Place next to the inner square of the frame.

7b. Lay screen mesh with shiny/smooth side up. * Tip - If you are using 70-mesh and it is curling up.  You can apply a tiny piece of double-sided tape to the cloth side corners to keep it flat.

7c. Carefully, position the tape side of the frame onto the shiny side of the mesh and press down.

Step 8

Place protective plastic on Master. Put a line of double sided tape on the tabbed edge of the mesh, on the side without the arrow. Stick the transparency or cellophane to the tape.

And Viola!  You have Gocco masters.

Just wanted to drop a post in here to inform everyone that I have a new method of creating screens.  I now use a Screenfax rather than a Thermofax.  It can expose the 200-mesh which can do much more detail.   It works great for DIY projects such as Wedding Invites, Business Cards, Event Posters or Fine Art.  Also,  I no longer feel the need to do a test print because the results are much more consistent.

I’ve also begun to offer unmounted screens, in addition to framed screens in all sizes.  Unmounted screens are  just the exposed screen mesh with no frame. This can save you some money and you can choose to either reuse screen frames you have or to create a duct tape frame.

~Projects~

Small Screen - This screen is approximately 1/4 of a letter size sheet of paper.  This size works well for business cards.  Printing on small items such as children’s clothing.   This is also the required size for use with the Gocco Stamp.  Which is great if you are creating a pattern by repeating the same image over and over.  The stamp works with mounted or unmounted screens

Medium Screens - These screens are approximately a half a letter size sheet of paper.  They work well for wedding and other invites, save-the-dates, greeting cards, postcards, printing on ceramic tiles, repeating patterns on fabric, small clothing.

Large Screens - These are approximately a full letter size.  They work well for printing posters, t-shirts, flyers, patterns on fabric, fine art.

X-Large Screens - These are narrower but longer than the Large Screens and can be also be used for posters, tees, flyers, posters, etc.

Gang Printing - Several images can be placed on one screen and areas taped off.  However, when printing this way, it is necessary that you do not tape the shiny/smooth side of the screen or it may tear the plastic coating off your screen and ruin it.  Place tape on the fabric/rough side and it will come off easily without ruining the screen.

~Mesh Guide~

Basically, I recommend the 70-mesh for fabric and the 200-mesh for paper .

The 70-mesh is more open, allowing for more ink to pass through.  This is necessary for printing on fabric.  The ink must penetrate the fabric slightly in order to adhere properly.

The 200-mesh is a tighter mesh which works well for paper.  Too much ink on paper will pool up and cause blotches on your print, so the 200-mesh helps you have more control.  It also allows for more detail necessary when printing on paper.

~Ink Guide~

For Paper - I recommend Liquitex Heave Body acrylic paints.  They are easy to control which makes finer/crisper prints.  Also, they are quite opaque which means light colors will shop up on darker papers.  They can be found at all arts and crafts stores in a variety of colors. The downside is that these inks can dry a bit quicker in the screen which blocks it and ruins it.  I have never had this happen, though.  I have always been able to wash the ink out when my prints start looking a bit blotchy.  Then, I just re-ink and keep going until the ink starts to look blothcy again.  I can usually do about 15-20 prints before washing and re-inking.

Speedball screenprinting inks for paper also work well.  These inks are bit looser than the heavy body paints but are also acrylic. The upside is that they do not dry as quickly in the screen.  The downside is that sometimes the wetter ink is a bit difficult to control.  Also, these inks can be quite transparent.  So, if you are planning on printing on dark paper, I reccommend adding a bit of the white to your color (the white ink is opaque and makes a good base for the other colors).

Gocco inks for paper - These inks work well but keep in mind that they are oil-based and cannot be cleaned up with water.  You must use the ink cleaner specifically made by Gocco. Other solvents will destroy the screen. Many Gocco inks are transparent, so be sure to check color charts if planning on printing on dark colored paper.

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For Fabric - I reccommend Speedball Screenprinting Inks for fabric.  These inks can usually be found in art stores.  Again, they can be quite transparent so mix with white if printing on dark fabric.  They also sell a line of opaque inks, but they have a pearl shimmer to them, so just be sure you want that before choosing these inks.  If printing on white/light fabric there is a wide variety of color choices including glow-in-the-dark and flourescent colors.  Similarly, the Jacquard and Versatex inks for textiles work well.

I also recommend,inexpensive fabric paints that come in small containers and that are available from craft stores.  Such as Folk Art for Textiles (the metallics are really nice and show up well on dark fabrics). Just take care not to allow these paints to dry in your screen.  Stop and wash after every 5 prints or so.

I do not reccommend Tulip fabric paints.  These inks for some reason will destroy the screen.  Seriously, stay away from these paints.

Plastisol inks can be used but it is quite a hassle to clean.  I don’t reccommend storing screens with plastisol ink on them because this destroys the screen after several weeks.  However, several prints can be made and the screen re-used if it is cleaned after each use.  To clean the screen you must use a citrus-based, drainage system-safe cleaner.  Also, you must use 70-mesh screen because the higher meshes get ruined more easily and cannot withstand the rigorous cleaning required.  Also, keep in mind that plastisol inks must be cured. Definately, want to do your research previous to working with these difficult inks.

~For other surfaces ~

I have used glass/ceramic paint (water washable) with these screens and they work well.  I used Perm-Enamel from the craft stores. Take care to wash often and do not allow paint to dry in screen.

DO NOT USE SOLVENT INKS with these screens (such as sign paint) they will eat throught the plastic film.