If you’re looking for a unique gift, or just need one of these yourself….(hello menopause!) try “painting” on silk hand fans! It’s super easy to do even if you’re not an artist.
This post includes affiliate links.
How to Paint Silk Fans
I buy my silk hand fans from Dharma Trading Company online store. They are an awesome company and shipping is fast. I’m not an affiliate for this company but have bought from them for years! They carry all sorts of unique craft and art supplies you just can’t get anywhere else, plus their prices and tutorials are wonderful.
Here is a photo of my supplies from Dharma Trading. I buy the silk fans in bulk, so I always have a quick gift ready to make, but you don’t have to buy in bulk. I love these fabric markers! They have a nice tip to them to make details easy. I also use a Disappearing Ink pen to draw my designs with first (it’s the white pen with purple lid, you can get this at any fabric store), then I fill in with the colored fabric markers.
If you don’t think you’re an artist, no worries. It’s easy to find free clip art online or even use those “adult” coloring books that are so popular now! Just lay your design down on your table and unfold the silk fan over top. You can see your design through the silk! Just use the disappearing ink pen to trace over.
Now comes the fun part…..fill in your design with the fabric markers. Channel your childhood!! Remember how fun it was to color when you were young!
Keep the fan spread open until dry. It doesn’t take very long.
Once dry, you are all set to have a wonderful gift for your bestie! But don’t forget to make one for yourself too! I have several in various colors. I keep one in my purse at all times!! (crazy hotflashes!) I am constantly getting asked “where did you find that?!!” I proudly say….I made it myself!
HELLO,
MY NAME IS CYNTHIA AND I AM ABOUT TO PAINT 3 EXTRA LARGE SILK HAND FANS FOR MY WALL (I ORDERED THEM FROM ALIEXPRESS AND THEY ARE HUGE) AND I WANTED ANY ADVICE YOU COULD GIVE ME ON WHAT TYPE OF PAINT OR MARKERS WOULD BE NEEDED, I LIKE YOUR IDEA OF TRACING, I AM SO EXCITED. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOU HELP.
Hi Cynthia! First, thank you so much for joining my email list & for your question! I absolutely LOVE painting on silk. I’ve done large scarves & wraps & it’s a fun artform! I have linked my favorite fabric pens under my shop section here, but for larger projects like your wall fans…that might go thru these pens pretty fast. The nice thing about the pens however is you don’t need any resist, meaning the ink pretty much stays where you color with it. But for large pieces, I would use actual silk “paint”. My favorite brand is Setasilk from Pebeo. But you will need Resist, which is a barrier to keep your silk “paint” from flowing beyond your design. I also like using a fabric disappearing pen to draw my design first then go over this with the resist. I am happy to give you step by step details….if you don’t mind me emailing you… & I would LOVE to see your fans once you’re finished!!
thanks again!