Supplies needed:

• ¼ " thick fun foam also called craft foam (Walmart or a craft store has it.)
• scrap wood----I like at least ½ " thick for easy handling.
• contact cement (works better than others I have tried)

Note: The 1/8 " thick craft foam is too thin. You may get bleed over, as there is not enough space between the foam and the wood. In a pinch you can use a thick mouse pad instead of the foam but roughly sand the plastic coated backside (not the foam side) or the glue will not hold it on the wood. The craft foam works better.

Begin with a scrap piece of wood a little larger than what your design will be. Spread contact cement generously and evenly over the entire surface of the wood. Place your foam on this and press it down. Allow it to dry overnight with a little weight on it. Your foam will be glued and dried on the bottom when you make your cut. Draw your design on the wood and using it for a guide cut it out foam side down with the power tool of your choice. I prefer a scroll saw. By using this method of cutting out your stamp you will be able to see the exact size and easily place it on your fabric as needed. Detail lines on your stamp can be added using an ink pen and pressing down on the foam. The indentations will remain on the foam. You may prefer to skip this step and freehand your detail lines after your fabric has been stamped.

If your design is not a solid cut, (for example, a paw print) make a template and draw on the bottom side of your wood. Be sure to this in reverse or your design will stamp backwards. Using the same template, trace the design on the foam and cut out with scissors. Using the drawing on the wood as a placement guide, Glue the foam pieces on. For this kind of stamp I just cut the wood square.

There are several methods of applying your fabric paint. I prefer spreading it on the stamp using a foam brush and then pouncing the paint on the stamp with the same foam brush. Pouncing means to firmly dab up and down all over the stamp with your foam brush. The paint will have a stippled look when it is done correctly. This makes it stamp evenly on your fabric. Or you can pounce the stamp directly in the paint. Some prefer to pounce the stamp directly into the paint and then stamp their fabric. I personally do not like this method. I seem to get paint in all the wrong places, too thick in some, and not getting a clear and even stamp. I hate messed up fabric. However, I say do what works for you. Not all of us like the same methods.

Let your first paint application to the stamp set for about 3 or 4 minutes. This allows your paint to soak in, and make the first imprint on a piece of scrap fabric. After the first stamp you will not need to let it soak in again. When stamping your fabric press firmly and evenly. If you press too hard the paint may ooze from the sides, distorting your design or cause it to bleed through the other side of the fabric.

One reason for making a test stamp on scrap fabric the first time, is it helps it to soak in when you press it down. It will also tell you if the fabric is too thin, to use less paint or less pressure, or if the fabric is thick it will let you know if it needs more paint. You may need to do several tests. Perhaps bleed through of paint to the other side won’t be a problem. It depends on what you are making.

Occasionally after a lot of stamping, you may accumulate too much paint on the stamp. Clean with soap and water and rinse until clear. Press out excess water on paper towels and resume your stamping. Test first as if your stamp is holding too much water, your paint will be runny when applied and you will have a mess.

If the paint has not been applied to the fabric thick enough simply paint in the sparse parts. To me it is still easier than using templates. I have saved many, many hours of work using a stamp as opposed to templates or freehanding.

After using your stamp, clean it with soap and water and rinse it until the water runs clear. You have invested time in making your stamp and these easy care steps will save you from having to make another one.

I know this has been lengthy, but I wanted to be sure the instructions were precise and easily understood. I hope I was successful! I have included my e-mail address if you have any questions.

Happy stamping,

Lady Elfwyn called Valnac