I’ve always loved bold, graphic prints and dreamed of painting my own fabric for a custom garment. My first attempt, inspired by an Alexander McQueen show, didn’t go as planned. I envisioned a masterpiece but struggled to make it work. I started with a white coat, thinking there was no pressure if it didn’t turn out. When freehand painting proved daunting, I switched to stenciling circles—and to my surprise, it looked amazing! (Check out the video to see the transformation.)
My favorite coat gets a second life: https://youtu.be/8HEo7iO1dN4
Recently, a stunning pashmina scarf from Italy reignited my creative spark. Its simple block print design inspired me to try painting again, this time on a skirt. I had the perfect fabric: a luxurious pink satin wool, donated to my school years ago. It had been tucked away for two decades, waiting for the right project. Now, it was time to give it new life!
Testing the Waters
Before committing to the full skirt, I ran some tests. I clipped a quarter-yard swatch, gathered fabric dyes for natural fibers, and experimented with application techniques.
Here’s what I learned:
Dye reacts instantly with fibers—dab the brush on a paper towel first to control the initial contact.
Work quickly to spread the dye before it sets.
Diluting dyes adds dimension; for example, softening black creates a beautiful gray.
Sewing the Skirt: My Rosie Pattern
I used my go-to skirt pattern, the Rosie—a simple square circle skirt with no seams to interfere with the painted design. I also wanted the look of a raw, frayed hem, which worked perfectly since wool tears evenly.
Border First: I started with painting a diluted black border along the hem. Once dry, I added a lighter gray strip just above it for contrast.
The Scary Part – Painting the Blocks: Using an air-erasable fabric marker, I carefully mapped out the placement of my square blocks. Painting them was nerve-wracking—I had to be extra careful not to drip dye onto the unpainted fabric. Foam brushes turned out to be a lifesaver, holding the watery dye in place for better control. For color, I mixed wine and yellow to create a soft peachy pink, along with gray and tan for variation. I arranged the blocks in a scattered pattern, ensuring the placement worked well with the front and back views of the skirt.
Yoke Detail: I cut two yoke pieces and sewed the side seams.
Instead of painting uniform blocks, I angled them slightly for a more artistic, freeform effect.
Blending the Yoke and Skirt:
To connect the two sections, I used a strip of the fabric’s reverse side as a subtle design element. I sewed it between the yoke and skirt, then enhanced it with strategically placed dye to seamlessly transition between the blocks.
Finishing Touches: I lined both the yoke and skirt for comfort (since I’m a bit allergic to wool) and added a rollover elastic waistband for an easy, polished finish.
This skirt turned out to be a showstopper—warm, vibrant, and perfect for lifting the mood on dreary winter days! Plus, it reinforced an important lesson: taking creative risks is always worth it.
Want to give it a try? Watch my video on the process! And for a throwback, check out the video of my first painted coat with circle stencils.
The making of this skirt! https://youtu.be/TVD7f0JE2CI
Happy sewing and painting!
Shawnelle :)
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