Friday, May 1, 2015

Thermofax 101 - A Review of Lyric Kinard's New DVD and Blog Hop!

We are delighted to participate in a blog hop review launching Lyric Kinard's new DVD,  “Thermofax 101: Screen Printing Made Easy”.  We first met Lyric at a Virginia Consortium of Quilters retreat where she presented a Surface Design Sampler class that included thermofax printing as well as several other surface design techniques.  Because we enjoyed Lyric as a teacher, we later took her comprehensive screen printing class online at Quilt University.  Thermofax printing is the one technique we both fell in love with from this class.  As a result, we purchased our own machine and PGFiber2Art was born.  We owe our start to Lyric and are excited to review her DVD!
It is available for purchase on her website where there is also a short video preview.  But be sure to read to the end of this post for a chance to win a copy!

Whether you're new to Thermofax screen printing or have been using screens for years, there is something in this DVD for everyone.  In a 65 minute instructional video, Lyric provides a fun and fundamental overview of thermofax printing in a comfortable, friendly, easy-going style.  From explaining what a thermofax is, where to find and how to create imagery, how to print, to design basics for creating your own cloth, there is plenty of information here to get new printers started, as well as nuggets of information that experienced printers can incorporate as well.

Lyric’s clear, concise instructions are presented in a logical, step-by-step sequence.  For those curious about what a Thermofax machine looks like, she burns a screen with her 3M machine.  Her thorough explanation of textile paints includes ways to use opaque and transparent paints together and she discharges fabric using Cascade dishwasher detergent.  The screening technique itself is an important part of achieving a quality product and Lyric shows you the best way to hold the squeegee and pull the paint across the screen.  A favorite part of the DVD is the masking technique she uses to create a complex background and an image that really pops.  Several sources for copyright free imagery are mentioned and the DVD includes a resource document with sources for materials and a list of screen providers.  There are providers who sell images as well as make custom screens of your design, so you don't need your own machine.  She whets your appetite with enough information to make you want to pull out the supplies and get started printing, right now!

In fact, that’s just what we did!  Lyric was kind enough to include one of her screens with the DVD for review, and we chose the dragonfly.  Sue pulled out a piece of fabric that was sun printed with Solar Fast dye and looked like it would make a good home for some dragonflies.  These were printed using gold Speedball screen printing ink for fabric.  The fine details of the dragonfly are really beautiful with this paint. 

Another technique we tried was discharge with Cascade dishwasher detergent.  As Lyric shows in the video, you simply pour the Cascade onto the screen as you would paint, and squeegee it across.  In a short time, we could see the bleach in the Cascade discharging the color.  Just be sure to use a product like Anti-Chlor to stop the action of the bleach or it will continue to eat away at the fabric!

We love how this crackle screen adds depth and texture to an otherwise so-so fabric.  That's the great thing about screen printing - you can take a piece of fabric that's not so great or even ugly, and transform it!  Here are a few more examples of discharge with Cascade.



Win a Copy of Lyric's DVD!
This is a great DVD for anyone new to thermofax printing or looking for a refresher.  Please leave a comment telling us what your experience is with thermofax printing (including "none" if you've never tried it!) and we will pick one responder on May 10 to win a copy of Thermofax 101.  International entries are welcome for the DVD.  In addition, we will pick a second responder to win their choice of a medium size screen in our Etsy shop. 

Be sure to check out all the other stops on the blog hop - Lyric is giving away a copy of the DVD for each stop on the hop.  Here is the schedule:

April 24  Cheryl Rezendez http://www.cherylrezendes.com
April 25  Leslie Tucker Jenison  http://leslietuckerjenison.blogspot.com
April 28  Sue Bleiweiss  http://www.suebleiweiss.com/blog
April 30  Judy Gula  http://www.artisticartifacts.com/blog
May 1    Susan Price & Elizabeth Gibson  http://pgfiber2art.blogspot.com
May 2    Judy Coates Perez  http://www.judycoatesperez.com
May 4    Linda Stokes  http://www.lindastokes-textileartist.com
May 6    Jane Davila  http://janedavila.blogspot.com
May 6    Melanie Testa  http://melanietesta.com/blog
May 7    Liz Kettle  http://www.textileevolution.com/index.php/our-journey
May 8    Carol Sloan  http://carolbsloan.blogspot.com
May 9    Kathy York  http://aquamoonartquilts.blogspot.com
May 11  Susan Brubaker Knapp  http://wwwbluemoonriver.blogspot.com
May 12  Desiree Habicht  http://myclothesline.blogspot.com
May 13  Jamie Fingal  http://JamieFingalDesigns.blogspot.com
May 14  Deborah Boschert  http://deborahsjournal.blogspot.com
May 15  Sarah Ann Smith  http://sarahannsmith.com/weblog

Don't forget to comment on this post for your chance to win, check out all the other blog stops, and if you just can't wait to get your hands on Thermofax 101, you can purchase a copy here!
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , , ,

29 comments:

  1. Mary CouchMay 1, 2015 at 4:55 PM

    I am brand new to thermoforming but bought a few of Layden's last month when I took her awesome class in Myrtle Beach, SC. She is fabulous and I would love to win this dvd!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dee SpillaneMay 1, 2015 at 10:17 PM

    I am loving these screens and prints. This book will help me learn and I am loving it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. DianneMay 2, 2015 at 10:37 AM

    I've used screens with thickened mx procion dye, fabric paint and deColorant and love using them. I only have a few that I made myself using my friend's machine. Nirvana would be a large collection of all kinds of thermofax screens. What fun!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mary GMay 2, 2015 at 11:52 AM

    I have admired your work and Lyric's for several years. Some day soon I hope to try this process that creates such beautiful fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  5. EmmaMay 2, 2015 at 2:14 PM

    I love the effects of screen printing & own just one screen of my own design, made by the lovely Linda Stokes. I'd love the opportunity to learn more ;)

    ReplyDelete
  6. JoMay 2, 2015 at 4:20 PM

    Thanks so much for your blog, which is teaching me a lot about thermofax printing. I've made organza screens with adhesive iron on vinyl, and have a thermofax screen in my sights. Whether or not I win, I'll be trying out this technique.

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownMay 2, 2015 at 8:40 PM

    It's time for more screem printing. Love the new screens.

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownMay 3, 2015 at 12:48 PM

    love the review, giveaway, and extra giveaway! I screen and developed a way to use rusting with screens.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. PGFiber2ArtMay 10, 2015 at 3:59 PM

      Rusting with screens sounds intriguing. Do you write about your process anywhere? We'd love to give it a try and link back to you as the developer/source.

      Delete
  9. Anne OMay 4, 2015 at 8:08 AM

    The dragonfly example is gorgeous on the solar printed fabric. Thanks for hosting a giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  10. NM_CreatrixMay 4, 2015 at 9:55 AM

    Love the dragonfly... and I would love to win the DVD

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownMay 4, 2015 at 11:07 AM

    The dragonfly turned out amazing! I would love to win Lyric's DVD so I could try my hand at thermofaxing. Your blog is great, filled with so much information and beautiful results.

    ReplyDelete
  12. patty a.May 5, 2015 at 8:25 AM

    I took a printing workshop recently and need to do more!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Mary CouchMay 5, 2015 at 10:30 AM

    So many great ideas! Love your blog and would love to win!

    ReplyDelete
  14. liberal sprinklesMay 5, 2015 at 9:15 PM

    Thanks for the review. Interesting use of household products for printing! I'd love to win the DVD. Thank you.

    Grace

    ReplyDelete
  15. janiceMay 6, 2015 at 12:22 PM

    Great review. Lyric has a knack for teaching and her explanations are always easy to understand. would love here DVD

    ReplyDelete
  16. DeborahMay 6, 2015 at 7:52 PM

    I am very new to thermofax. Have one screen, and have used it once. Would love to have the DVD! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  17. ~Kris~May 7, 2015 at 5:49 PM

    None. This looks like so much fun.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Jennifer Scantlebury VienneauMay 7, 2015 at 9:06 PM

    Thanks for the great post! All very informative!

    ReplyDelete
  19. UnknownMay 9, 2015 at 8:59 PM

    Thermofax printing is so much fun, especially when good teachers are thorough with their instructions. Would love to do this again. Winning this video would be a big help.

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnonymousMay 10, 2015 at 10:27 AM

    Wow! How interesting! While I have no experience with any type of screenprinting, you have piqued my interest to learn this technique and experiment to my heart's content. -- soparkaveataoldotcom

    ReplyDelete
  21. VickiMay 10, 2015 at 1:01 PM

    I haven't yet tried thermofax printing but would love to. It sounds like so much fun. Thanks for the chance to win a screen and the DVD.

    ReplyDelete
  22. mac3083May 10, 2015 at 2:05 PM

    Took your class in Blackstone yesterday...LOVED IT!! In August I am visiting with my nieces and grandnieces for "Art week" and I am bringing my new skills! Thank you, Dee

    ReplyDelete
  23. UnknownMay 10, 2015 at 11:43 PM

    I would like to try this type of printing and this DVD seems to be the ideal inrtoduction!

    ReplyDelete
  24. UnknownMay 10, 2015 at 11:57 PM

    Thanks for a great class at VCQ that has paved the way to more thermofax printing. Hope to have a finished printing project soon

    ReplyDelete
  25. UnknownMay 10, 2015 at 11:58 PM

    Thanks for a great class at VCQ that has paved the way to more thermofax printing. Hope to have a finished printing project soon

    ReplyDelete
  26. AnnMay 11, 2015 at 10:25 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  27. AnnMay 11, 2015 at 10:29 PM

    I will try again. The VQC workshop opened up a new medium for my art and genealogy quilts.
    The description of Lyric's DVD sounds great! As a beginner I need all the information I can
    acquire.

    ReplyDelete
  28. AnnMay 11, 2015 at 10:30 PM

    I will try again. The VQC workshop opened up a new medium for my art and genealogy quilts.
    The description of Lyric's DVD sounds great! As a beginner I need all the information I can
    acquire.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)