Silk Painting How to

In general,  use the measurements of your silk and add 2 inches to each side to determine the final size of the frame.  (i.e., for a 12 x 60 scarf the frame would measure 16 x 64) . The size described below accommodates a scarf that is 14” wide x 72” long.

What you’ll need

•  ¾” PVC pipe available at a hardware store/Home Depot/Lowe’s.
• Corner brackets to fit on the PVC pipe.
• T-brackets to hold different lengths together.
• “Feet” if you want the stretcher to stand on it’s own on a table.

Frame

Purchase ¾” pvc pipe and cut in lengths of 24” and 30 “. These are all sizes that will  fit easily in a suitcase if you are traveling.  Decide on whether you are using rectangles or squares and cut lengths and buy enough t-bars to create the length you wish to build.

If you are working in a space with a table that is not as large as the stretcher you are trying to make, use plastic glasses to raise the stretcher off the table.  

Where you see the blue tape,  there are plastic glasses holding up the stretcher off the table.  You do this for two reasons:  when the silk is wet it doesn’t touch the table with the weight of the dyes; and it allows you to work on table space that is smaller than the actual stretcher.

The choice of how to stretch the silk using PVC is up to the individuals.

In this sample, we’re using 1/8” round elastic and an alligator clip, which is an electrical clip you can purchase at a hardware store. Purchase the smallest size, which is one inch long. Another option is to use Chinese Suspension Hooks instead of the alligator clips.

Cut the round elastic at least 8” long.  Tie a knot in one end and at the end of the alligator clip, there is a space where you can fit the elastic. This space needs to be pressed together, with a plyer, to hold the elastic. Clip the silk with the teeth end and tie the elastic around the PVC to hold the stretched fabric in place. The elastic is easy to knot and change depending on the tension you are looking for.