Magic Manutex Part 2

Following on from last week's blog about Manutex and how to mix it, I now have several photos of exercises using the Manutex and Procion MX dye mixture. These were worked at the 2007 Surface Design Association Conference in Kansas City, MO. Their 2009 conference is now on line. The Manutex dye mixture is best spread and rolled on to a sheet of glass or perspec with a sponge roller so that the mixture is absorbed evenly.


White fabric placed over a raised grid and a sponge roller partially covered with Manutex dye mixture rolled over the surface, similar to a rubbing.


For this piece I cut out a firm cardboard shape, cut nicks in the two long sides and then laced a string around the card. All of the surfaces were then sealed with a spray paint so that it would withstand washing. It has been placed under the fabric and rolled with a sponge roller and the Manutex dye mixture.


Here is the same motif used in combination with a plastic grid laid under the cloth and printed. The ovals were done the same way.


More of the same; the larger diagonal grid is that cardboard lattice often used in shop displays. The fly swat, although it makes a good print, is just that - a fly swat. I often see the use of recognisable printing objects in textile works/magazines etc and am constantly turned off by these. Unless the theme of a piece is about potatoes, using a potato masher to print (for example) will be just that - a potato masher. I feel too often there is an unwillingness to stretch further and make more meaningful prints.


On the other hand in a workshop there is a need to work through as many things as possible, without too many deep thoughts. This is an example of not using the letter stencil more creatively. The coloured background is done by spreading the Manutex dye mix like finger printing - luvly!!


A stencil cut from stencil paper.


The same stencil is printed by placing it on top of an already printed cloth and rolling over with the Manutex dye mix. Good for limited edition printing.

Next Blog: When a piece goes belly-up....