Pencil Crayons on Fabric?

I love to experiment with different mediums when I create fiber art.  Playing with things like paints, crayons, markers and more can teach you new techniques, inspire art and lead to whole new pieces for you.

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But not everything is actually meant to work on fabric.  Some products look amazing, but will wash out – even if you’re only dabbing the surface with a damp cloth.

Unfortunately, pencil crayons are one of those things – I love the way they look on canvas, but they can smudge and run if you’re not careful.  Generally, the fiber art I create isn’t meant to be washed at all anyhow, so I haven’t worried a lot about it, but what if you want to protect your work?

Fiber artist Sandra Leichner has come up with a very clever way to keep the look of pencil crayons on fabric but keep them from smudging.  Her method – textile extender!

Textile extender is meant to thin out paints for airbrushing or to replicate the look of water color paints, but in this case it seals the pigment – and makes it safe.

I wouldn’t try and use this on garments that are going to get a lot of washing, but for an item that will be lightly handled, it’s great.