Metallic Foils

Metallic foils add a gleam to fabrics (and paper too). These foils are the same ones used by the printing industry....you have probably seen business cards with metallic printing.

Smooth fabrics take the foil with the most coverage, but I have had good results with fabrics ranging from sheer organza to linen to felt. I like the foils best when they are slightly imperfect.

Use a medium-hot dry iron. Foil is positioned SHINY SIDE UP over the image to be foiled. Press burnishing with the side edge of the iron. Experiment with how much time and pressure to use Watch for 'strike through' when the image shows on the foil surface. If the foil melts, the iron is too hot.

Allow fabric and foil to cool before removing the foil. Experiment with layering colors. If the foil does not cover completely, reposition the foil and try again.

Foil Adhesive:
A special adhesive can be used to apply foils, directly on fabric with a brush and with silk screens, rubber stamps, stencils or in fine tip squeeze bottle. Apply an even layer of foil adhesive with sponge brush to a rubber stamp, with a silk screen. The adhesive must be dry before applying the foil. Wash screens, stamps, brushes with cool water when done. Do NOT allow the adhesive to dry on a silk screen, it can clog it.

Screen printing --- use the adhesive in the same way you would use textile paint or dye discharge. I find that silk screening gives the best control of the amount of glue over other methods.

Rubber stamps- Experiment with the amount of adhesive needed for each image. Use stamps with simple clear images. Finely etched stamps will just create a blur. Apply adhesive with the side of a sponge brush. I use a brayer with large stamps.

Stenciling---use the adhesive as you would use paint

Fine tip squeeze bottle---draw, write words. Allow to dry thoroughly

Fusible web Steam A Seam lite and Wonder Under are a fast way to apply foil. Avoild Heat and Bond, it is to thick and plastic-y. Cut or tear web in desired shape, press to fabric leaving the top layer of protective paper intact. Remove paper and press foil to fusible web with a hot dry iron, burnishing foil with the edge of the iron. You can apply foil immediately after fusible web

For the bag in the photo I used a silk screen for the Chinese gold foiled poem text, and cut fusible web for the silver and Chinese gold geometric shapes.