Let’s introduce you to the delights of using fabric on your gelli plate to create unique gel plate prints. We are going to explore the different patterns and textures you can create by folding, pleating, weaving and so on with fabric, then using these to create one off gel prints.
There are so many ways to manipulate fabric! I am taking a loose take on the word fabric to include yarn, crochet, and tatting.
Table of Contents
How to make a gelli plate print
- Roll a layer of basic acrylic paints onto your gelli plate using a roller/brayer
- Apply a pattern/texture to the gelli plate to remove some of the paint and create a pattern – in our case some form of fabric/yarn
- Place a piece of paper onto the plate, smooth over the back of the paper.
- Lift the paper – ta da one beautiful print
If you are new to gelli plate printing you may wish to check out my post How to start gelli plate printing.
In between each of these samples/ideas I have fully cleaned the gelli plate with baby wipes, an alternative method is to use mineral oil with a paper towel.
So let’s get playing!! Remember this is about having fun, you may need more or less paint on your plate – some of these images here are my third print. It takes practice to get a result you will be pleased with. For all these samples I have used a plain white sheet of copy paper with black paint so you can have a good comparison.
Looking to print onto fabric? I suggest using a fabric medium mixed with acrylic paint.
Gel Print with Fabric
1. Scrunched Circular Fabric
Gather a variety of different sizes of buttons and some old cotton fabric. I am using a former duvet cover. Using thread wrap the fabric around the button and pull tight. Wrap the thread around the button several times before tieing with a knot and cutting off.
Repeat this process several times so you have a range of circles covered in fabric.
Place the covered buttons onto the gelli plate to create a pattern. To create the print below I randomly did this across the plate several times.
2. Weaving
For this sampler, I have used a bought piece of weaving which drew my eye due to the different textures and thickness of fibres used in the piece. I was fortunate enough to spot this in a charity shop (thrift store).
My initial prints directly from the weave were not that exciting, so I changed approach. I have removed some of the weft threads, then used the playdough method to take a print.
Roll out or hand press playdough onto a flat surface, lift the playdough and apply the flat surface to the weaving and press into it to pick up all those fabulous textures.
Roll your gelli plate with acrylic, place the textured side of the playdough onto the gel plate.
This next step is optional, take a print off from around the edges of the playdough.
Remove the playdough and allow the acrylic paint to dry on the plate.
Apply a layer of acrylic matt medium, rollered across the gel plate, then apply your sheet of paper and allow to fully dry. Dependent on the weather this could be half an hour to an hour.
Pull your print.
3. Applique
Continuing the theme of different textures with fabric I have cut out wool felt shapes and appliqued them to calico using machine stitching. I have deliberately chosen different textures for the two fabrics.
My first print came out a little heavy on the background for my liking but overall I think this method has great potential.
4. Hand Embroidery
Play with a variety of stitches in a variety of yarns – from embroidery floss to couching yarn. The stitches in this sample include: couching, french knots, running stitch, blanket stitch, cross hatch and fly stitch.
I am delighted with how my print on paper came out for this experiment.
5. Net Fabric
There are so many options here – I have found two different types of net, one for dress making and one patterned for windows.
The first print is taken over the top of the net – place the net onto the gel plate, then place a sheet of paper over the top and press down to capture the acrylic between the holes for this lovely subtle print.
This second print is taken with the patterned net. I have placed the net onto the gel plate, taken a print off the top using either copy paper or tissue paper, then removed the net and taken this print. This method is referred to as a ghost print.
6. Textured Fabric
I picked up this curtain sample at a second hand shop (thrift store), immediately drawn to the random circles and how this could work on a gelli plate.
As above apply acrylic to your gelli plate, place the fabric texture side down onto the plate, press all over, remove the fabric and take your print.
The velour type dots against the woven fabric create an interesting print.
7. Crochet
I picked up this crocheted shawl in a charity shop (thrift store) as it reminded me of fishing nets.
First take a print off the top using tissue paper to remove the paint between the crochet yarn, then remove the crochet and take a ghost print.
Although these experiments are in black and white I can visualise a couple of net ghost prints on a subtle varied background.
8. Crazy Patchwork Seams
Machine stitch random shapes of fabric together, using a seam allowance of approx 1/4″/1cm to create a piece of crazy patchwork.
Place the fabric seam side down on your gelli plate, remove, add a sheet of paper to create a fun abstract shape print which picks up the seam allowances.
Personally, I am drawn to these random shapes.
9. Fluffy Yarn
You can use fluffy yarn to make positive and negative prints.
The above is fabric print, and below a paper ghost print.
10. Folded and stitched fabric
Fold fabric and machine stitch close to the edge, open it out. Then refold and stitch again.
Repeat several times in all directions to create a random geometric pattern.
Place the fabric rights sides down on the gel plate and remove acrylic paint. Apply your sheet of paper and pull your print.
11. Gathered Fabric
Either hand stitch a running stitch across your fabric in several places or use a long running stitch on your sewing machine. Pull the thread to gather your fabric.
Lay the fabric onto the acrylic paint and remove from the gelli plate.
Place the paper onto the gelli plate and pull a print.
12. Pleated, slashed and folded fabric
Place a piece of denim onto a background fabric. Machine stitch approx 1″ parallel lines. Cut the denim (not the base fabric) centrally between the denim layers.
Fold the denim and machine stitch in opposite directions to create a pleated and folded texture.
Here’s the finished sampler.
13. Frayed Denim
Cut strips of denim following the grain of the fabric, gradualy fray the fabric.
Place the strips of frayed fabric onto the gelli plate.
Take a print with tissue paper to remove the excess paint. Take a print of the frayed fabric, if the acrylic paint is dry you can take a print by applying a layer of gel medium onto the gel plate, apply the paper and allow to fully dry.
14. Tatting
Apply a layer of acrylic paint to the gelli plate then place your tatting on top.
Take a print off with tissue paper to remove the acrylic paint from around the tatting.
To take the ghost print apply a layer of matt medium and place your paper on top. Allow to dry before removing the paper.
15. Cut Out Felt
This piece of felt is from Leeds Scrapbox, which repurposes waste. I love the regularity of the holes.
Lay the cut out felt onto your gel plate, press down to pick up the acyrlic from the plate.
Take a ghost print of the pattern on the gelli plate.
Video Tutorial
If you love to see gelli plate printing in motion check out my gelli plate printing with fabric video on you tube.
Ideas for taking your ideas further
There are so many ways you can take these ideas, here are some ideas to get you started:
- Unfolding, unwrapping the fabric you have placed on the gelli plate and repeating the process to build up layers of colours and patterns on the fabric.
- Machine embroider on dissolvable fabric, creating fun patterns and/or capturing fabrics. You see an example here – I show you the process in the You Tube video that accompanies this post.
Further resources for inspiration
- The book “The Art of Manipulating Fabric” by Wolff. This book has many ideas to spark inspiration.
- The course “Gel Printing on and with Textiles” by Jayne Emerson. Personally, I have not completed the course but it looks amazing. I am sure it will take your work to the next level.
- Jayne Emerson’s Instagram feed.
Enjoy playing with fabric and yarn to create beautiful prints. One of the reasons I love gelli printing is there is always different things to try.
Don’t forget to pin this post so you can refer back whenever you want.
As an avid lover of the gel plate I have many posts for inspiration including a “what to make with gel prints“!
