Can you get fabric paint that doesn't need ironing? So I can paint on shoes!

[fuzzpig]

Don't often venture in here but just looking for some ideas please!

Earlier this year DSD linked to some custom Harry Potter converse. Can't possibly afford them as they are £100 minimum and frankly some of them are a bit shit.

Was thinking of getting some plain converse (this will be a real treat in itself) and painting the logo on in black, with the lightning bolt etc, I reckon I could do that. I may just wait until she opens them and see if she actually wants me to try or not.

But what would I paint it with? Most fabric paints I've seen need to be ironed. Any ideas please?

[flubba]

Don't quote me on it but I remember reading somewhere that tumble drying might do the same as ironing - whether you could tumble dry converse (perhaps in a pillowcase??) or not is a different matter.

You could buy a cheap pair of similar shoes (thinking kids' pumps) or get some in a second hand shop to try out on?

[fuzzpig]

That's a good idea. DH is a bit dubious as even plain converse are £££ and I don't want to mess it up!

[WhenDidAllThesePetsAppear]

If you are any good at stenciling then car spray paint is usually good but you would have to try it first. I know it is good for leather/plastic type shoes but dont know how you would go on with anything pourus porus like fabric

[pookamoo]

You can use craft acrylic paint such as Anita's. You can add a flexible medium (listed on that site) to help it work with the fabric.
Just make sure you don't water it down too much or it will soak in.
HTH

[YuffieKisaragi]

Try it on a pair of cheapies first? Primark do plain colours for about 6 quid I think, so wouldn't be such a disaster if it didn't go right.
Glad to hear about the dryer, ds1 and I did tshirts a while back and still haven't got round to ironing them, chucking them in the dryer will be much easier ;)

[MadderHat]

The stuff I use - Pebeo, quite expensive, can be oven cooked (in quite a cool oven). This is very handy when doing large pictures or many designs.

[EcoLady]

I use the oven! 5 mins at 140 degrees. Far quicker & easier than ironing.

I do fabric painting on shopping bags as a regular stall at village fete / school fair / etc. I always advise the oven. DD did her own trainers this summer - it worked a treat.

I would not use a tumble dryer because any thicker bits of paint will rub off and flake before they are set.

[fuzzpig]

That's great, do you think I can put converse in the oven then? It wouldn't melt the plastic/rubbery bits or anything?

I actually have some old fake ones that I was going to get rid of so I will try them with the paint before binning :)

[nickelrocketgoBooooooom]

i fabric painted some canvas shoes years ago using Dylon fabric pens.
i'm sure that's all they were called.
you didn't need to iron them, and they were washable.

[nickelrocketgoBooooooom]

wrt ironing.

cover the rubbery bits with greaseproof paper (or thick oven gloves)

and use the point of the iron to iron the painted parts.
don't use steam, just keep going over and over with the point.

[EcoLady]

DDs trainers were done in the oven with no problems. They were converse-style cheapies.

It's a low heat though. I kept a close eye, ready to whip them out if I suspected any melting but they were totally fine. They have survived rain and puddles since.

[wigwaminamustardmill]

Pebeo touch textile fabric paint from Hobbycraft doesn't need heating, just a few days drying.
My dd decorated her school bag with it and it still looks good as new after half a term of hard use.
I think the tubes are £1.59 each.

[rockinhippy]

I've done this on canvas shoes a few time - I resented paying for flimsy Lelli Kellies when DD was younger, so bout cheapies & made my own with fabric pens/paits & sewing on sequins etc & DDs done her own designs more recently though the moo didn't like them and they ended up at the charity shop

Though don't put them in the oven FGS - tumble drying IS okay, but I've found setting the paints/pens by pointing a hairdryer at high setting at close range over the whole shoe works just as well & no rubbing off.

& I agree using spray paint, but the type favoured by graffiti artists is much better than car paint & much cheaper too