Fabric Decoration, Marbling

Q: What is Marbling?

A:

The origins of marbling are not precisely known, although we have evidence that the Japanese were marbling paper some 700 years ago. According to Japanese legend, marbling was a divine gift, bestowed upon an individual to reward him for his devotion at the Katsuga Shrine.
However, other theories suggest that the origins of marbling were contained in a game, played in the Japanese royal court during the 12th century. The game entailed floating paper decorated with sumi-ink drawing (a freehand method of marbling) on water, the aim being to capture the inks on the paper.

Q: How to use marble?

A:
1. First, it is important that you wash your chosen fabric in hot, soapy water to remove any dressing or grease which may affect the material’s natural ability to accept thedyes. Next rinse the cloth in warm water, squeeze out excess moisture and leave to dry. Using a cool iron, press the fabric flat to remove creses.

2. In a measuring jug or plastic bucket, combine one heaped teaspoon of thickening powder with 1 litre (2pnts) cold water and leave to stand for one hour.
Pour the resulting mixture into the marbling bath, making sure that the depth of the gel measures at least 3cm-5cm (11/2in-2 in)

3. Using an eye-dropper or pipette, drop your chosen inks onto the gel. The different colours will float on the surface of the liquid and spread out form the middle of the bath to the edges. Do not drop too much ink as it will sink to the bottom.

4. When the dyebath is completely swamped with colour, create “veined” patterns on the surface of the gel by gently swirling or combing the coloured inks with the tip of a cocktail stick or paintbrush.

5. Once your are happy with your pattern, gently lay the fabric over the inked surface, taking care that the middle of the cloth is the first area to come into contact with the medium. Let the edges of the cloth fall into place. Wearing rubber gloves, gently touch the reverse of the cloth with the back of your hand to make sure that the fabric lies flat. Avoid moving the material once it is an position or you are liable to disturb the patter,. Since most fabrics are rendered translucent when they are wet, you should be able to see if any areas of cloth have not taken the pattern. If this is the case, smooth out those areas with the flat of your hand.
When the material has soaked up sufficient colour, carefully lift it off horizontally so as not to disturb the pattern. Next that the by all four corners and rinse under cool running water until the cloth loses its slippery feel. Hang the cloth over a clothes line and leave to dry. Finally, fix the paints according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Equipment and materials

Fabric
Marbling bath
Marbling kit, consisting of
thickener and marbling inks
eye-dropper or pipette
cocktail stick or fine paintbrush
Iron
Rubber gloves
Measuring jug or plastic bucket