Design Enhancement using Stretching Hoop.

Easy - playful - relaxing is the work on design enhancement

The easiest way to create a design enhancement is a partial application.

Partial Design enhancement on a scarf in blossom design

In this post we are using the round stretching frame/hoop for easy start. (the attachment to a rectangular stretching frame will be discussed in a separate post).

The process:

• decide what type of silk-piece you are creating. A silk "scarf" as we said can also be used as a center-piece or table runner, curtain etc.
• wipe clean you working area (make sure there are no paint- or water-spills from previous work)
• stretch a small piece of silk on a small hoop (ideally the same kind of material as on the scarf you will be working on). This will be your try-out silk piece. In the picture below you see also a color-wheel  which helps you with the choices of colors and a roll of paper-towels to keep your working area clean. All those utensils should be placed to the side of your working station or on a service table in your reach.

• Now, take the scarf you picked for the design enhancement and spread it out on you working area so you can see the pattern.

• For the enhancement, choose one part that is located so it can become a focal point when finished and in use.
• For example the work of my student shown above is a pointed 17"x70" ponge8 festive shawl and the enhancement was the center of the scarf, which then was on the back of the person wearing it. In this particular work, small corresponding patterns were placed on the ends of the scarf visible in the front when worn).
• Take the stretching hoop apart, center the part of scarf you want to work on over the bottom hoop (the smaller one), slide the top part over it. With the help of the hoop-screw affix the silk in the frame. Make sure the silk is fully stretched (you can pull on the outside part to achieve this very easily while tightening the screw).
• Make sure the silk does not touch the working surface, if necessary use something to raise the frame at least on one side to allow for enough space between the work and the working surface.
• Create! Take the tube with the outlining paint and while leaving the cap on it, look closely at your work - imagine the design you can pull out of the existing color pattern.
• open the tube and try the flow of the paint on the "try-out" silk you prepared on the smaller hoop. You are using the tube-paint as a pen. You apply slight pressure while moving your hand. The tip of the tube is in about 45 degree angle to the surface and you are moving "downward"allowing the paint to flow freely. The movement should be continuous. To break the process, choose a point where you can interrupt without impacting the design. You will need a "thinking break": when you pause your work with the outlining paint, always cover the tip of the tube with the cap, hold the tip in a paper towel or put the tube aside. The paint has tendency to spew from the tube when held in the hand. Before you finish the outlining work, look closely and check for gaps in the lines and close those with a touch from the outlining paint tube.

•  Let the outlining paint dry. The surface should be dry in 30 or 45 minutes if you need to rush. Better is to set the work aside for an hour or two to ensure a worry free next step (painting the new pattern).
• As soon the outlining paint is dry, you can play with the colors. The choice is yours and you can apply different shades. The "try-out" piece is an useful help as you can test every color there before you start to apply it on the original piece.
• When using the silk-painting brush you need to know that the fabric will "take the paint from the brush". This is a difference to paint on canvas or paper. Make your first try on the try-out piece. If the brush was new, wash it and dry it out. Shake the jar with the paint, open it and put the lid on your service-table away from your work. Dip the brush in the paint and by sliding it over the jar mouth, remove the excess paint. The silk-painting brushes have large holding capacity, there will be enough paint still and you will prevent unwanted dripping.
• While painting, you can hold the jar with the paint in one hand or dip the brush, put the jar aside and hold your hand under the brush to prevent dripping on your work.
• on the try-out piece, touch the silk with the brush and observe how the paint starts to move and spread, Here the silk is working with you. You do not need to swing the brush, quite in the contrary you will apply the paint by moving the brush in a continuous movement filling the open spaces. 
• When starting on your original work, pick for the beginning small areas to fill so you can get "a feel" to the technique and behaviour of the material.

• Now you just let your phantasy soar. Fill the outlines with paint or leave them just outlining the original pattern. You will be delighted with the new images emerging from the work.
• Note: finish painting of one enclosed section without interruption. Move the brush in a continuous movement from one end of the enclosed are to the other until fully painted. (if you would stop, the paint will dry on the last painted edge and create there a dark line that can only be "camouflaged", but not removed.
• Note: while you apply the paint, the silk will expand and you will need to stretch the silk again.
• Before you start adjusting the silk, check the area under your work for paint spots and clean it dry. 
• Straighten the silk out by loosening the hoop-screws and pulling the fabric gently straight. For that reason, do not paint fully to the edges of the stretching hoop. Then tighten it again and continue your work. If the fabric hangs through just a little bit , you can continue by lifting up one side and have the frame tilted (use this technique only if the silk is not too wet and is only slightly expanded).
• When you finish painting, leave the work on the frame till it is thoroughly dry.
• Take your work of the stretching hoop and place it on ironing board face down/reverse side up.
• Iron your work in cotton-setting by slowly moving the iron over the surface of the reverse side. 
• This ironing is to fix the paint and the resist onto the silk. Do not worry about the still visible wrinkles. Let the work cool down; best is overnight.
• There will still be some wrinkles, which you will iron out by dipping the silk in water, hand-wring it and place it on the ironing board upside down. 
• One more time, iron the silk in cotton-setting from the reverse site. Watch the steam coming from the wet silk. Tip: You can use kitchen towel over the silk to absorb the moisture first and then remove the towel and iron over the silk to iron it dry. 
• To have a wrinkle-free result, use your free hand to hold the silk stretched see picture below.

 Use your free hand to keep the silk stretched. Maintain distance to the hot iron for your safety.

Now you have your first creation in design enhancement - Congratulation!!!
The explanation above seems like lots to remember, but it is not. I am telling you those many details to prepare you the best I can for your work. All those moves will be soon natural to you with no need for thinking of it. Once you have the skill, which is very easy to master as you see, your focus will be with the work and the unique design that will come out of your hands. The real fun will begin:)

Wishing Happy Friday and a wonderful weekend!