Paint Embroidery

From time to time I come across vintage linens with paint embroidery on them instead of the more typical embroidery done with thread.

The look of these tea towels and dresser scarves is sweet and simple. I just love them! I found the tea towel shown here at a thrift store.

Growing up, my mom kept the liquid embroidery paint in tubes on hand. She would iron a transfer pattern onto a tea towel, and my sister and I would "embroider" it with the paint. It was so easy and fun!

Decorate linens like baby bibs, pillowcases, tote bags, and so much more with paint embroidery.

Photo Credit: Peggy Hazelwood

This pillowcase is "embroidered" with bold colors and a big design. Of course, this isn't real embroidery, with needle and thread. It's paint embroidery.

The use of such bold strokes with fabric paint is somewhat unusual, from what I've seen. Paint embroidery is usually done in much simple designs with less "painted" or filled in surfaces. It makes a statement, for sure!

These Paints Are Easy and Fun

These fun liquid embroidery paints that I'm highlighting here are made in the United States. They are lead free and nontoxic, so you know they're safe for you and your kids to use. The oil-based paint is permanent though, so you may want to wear disposable gloves while painting till you get the hang of it.

The embroidery paint comes in 1-ounce tubes of oil-based paint with a tip on the end. They are used similar to a ballpoint pen.

The paint can be applied to fabric, wood, metal, and more. With this versatility, they can be used in endless ways for crafts and decorating.

The paints come in the primary colors, jewel tones, country colors, and pastel shades.

Photo Credit: Peggy Hazelwood

These fun liquid embroidery paints come in the following primary colors: black, red, brown, green, blue, white, yellow, and orange.

The liquid embroidery paints come in the following pastel colors: light green, light blue, lilac, pink, aqua, caucasian, banana cream, and lavender.

It's Easy If You Know What You're Doing

Like any other craft, it's good to know a few tips before you start. With paint embroidery, it's pretty straightforward but these tips might help:

~ Stretch the fabric well to make it taunt.

~ Hold the paint tube straight up and down so the ballpoint works best.

~ Place cardboard or blotting paper directly under the layer of fabric you're painting to keep the paint from bleeding through to another layer of fabric or the surface you're working on. This is especially helpful when working with a shirt.

~ Wipe the point of the tube with a paper towel dipped in nail polish remover after use to clean the point.

~ Let the paint dry completely, about two or three days is best, before wearing or washing it.

Source: How to Use Embroidery Paints

The jewel tone embroidery paints come in the following colors: purple, rose, teal, navy, cherry, chartreuse, dark yellow, and pine.

This vintage table runner was painted with fabric paint instead of ordinary embroidery. I love the subtle colors that have faded a bit, I'm sure, over time and from washings.

Country colors of embroidery paint come in these shades: brick red, forest green, berry pink, prairie blue, rust, tan graphite, and avocado.

When doing embroidery painting with the tubes of liquid paint, a few handy accessories make all the difference in having fun and doing a great job.

Another option is to let kids decorate a tee shirt or tote bag with fabric markers. When you follow the instructions, these colors will last a good long time!

My grandkids love using fabric markers on fabric. They've decorated shirts and tote bags. When they are careful, take their time, and pay attention, the end result is really nice!

This author, Peggy Hazelwood, participates in Amazon, eBay, All Posters, and other affiliate advertising programs. When you click an advertising link on this page and make a purchase, I receive a small percent of the sale. Thank you for reading this far.