Your home is your craft supply store.

Bet you didn’t know you can create pretty cool prints using stuff you have laying around the house. I’m no print expert, but I’ve been doing the potato thang since I was little. I love potatoes (especially when fried, YUM) but they are especially cheap and effective as print blocks. Last year, I created a pineapple motif tote that was surprisingly easy and fun. Yes, it’s craft schoolish and non-professional, but I really love how easy it is to make any design you want with a sharp knife and a careful hand. There are many other sources of print blocks around the house that you can use as well.

For this DIY, I scoured my brother’s garage to find cotton cloths that I can use to print on. This is the best fabric for absorbing the paint. I believe these may be changing pads or cloth diapers or burp cloths, but as long as I didn’t have to buy something new, I was good with using them.

Here’s the stash:

1. Cotton fabric – could be a pillow case, tea towel, blanket, apron, bag, as long as it’s an absorbent material

2. Fabric paint

3. Button

4. Cork (to glue items to so you can get a good grip)

5. Glue

6. Q-tip

7. Disposable chop stick

8. Cedar block (I didn’t end up using it but I think it would make a great print)

9. Bottle cap

10. Potato

I first glued the stick of a Q-tip and button to corks so I can firmly hold them to print.

I then carved my potatoes for the more custom designs I wanted.

 

Iron out your fabric for a smooth surface and start printing.

This pattern was created using the Q-tip stick first….

…..and using the end of a chopstick.

You can print two patterns to form a nifty pattern (let the first layer dry thoroughly before printing the second layer). I first created polka dots with a bottle cap (notice that plastic doesn’t create as much of a smooth print as wood or the potato, so you’ll have to print several layers).

Once the first layer is dry, you’re free to create the second printed pattern.

Buttons make prints that are cute as a, er, button.

Let dry for a day to be on the safe side.

They’d make a great gift (for those who appreciate handmade stuff).

Some day your prints will come.