Dyes and other colorants can be used if thickened with sodium alginate, available where fabric-dyeing supplies are sold. Sprinkle approximately 1/2 teaspoon sodium alginate evenly over the surface of 1/2 cup of liquid dye; let set about 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes until smooth; add more paint or more sodium alginate until you have a mayonnaise consistency.

Texturing techniques
In the photos below, you’ll see many examples of brayer techniques that create interesting effects, either by manipulating the fabric prior to rolling to create a textured surface, or by transferring a texture placed underneath the fabric. These ideas are, of course, just the beginning; the list of possibilities is truly endless, and we hope our suggestions will help you see texturing tools everywhere: in your backyard, the woods, the beach, around the house and garage, at hardware and second-hand stores, flea markets, dollar and discount stores, even your local frame store. Look for any objects that might create interesting textures, patterns, or shapes when rolled over with a paint-filled brayer. We hope that you’ll be inspired to try out many variations of the ideas here, and that you’ll share your discoveries with us and other Threads readers.

Roll a brayer over textured surfaces

Triangles of corrugated cardboard arranged in alternating directions and glued to cardboard under various colored poplins.

Adhesive rubber strips arranged in a zigzag pattern on a piece of cardboard under a black cotton jacquard.

A small wooden shelf under hand-dyed, cotton jacquard; the small red squares were rolled through a tiny acetate stencil.

A leaf, a length of picture-frame molding, and a sheet of perforated foil under chiffon.

Cut-out leather scraps arranged and glued to cardboard, then placed under a jacquard-stripe chiffon scarf.

A length of picture-frame molding under a black velvet pillow top.

Lois Ericson’s studio is in Reno, Nevada. Dawn McIntyre’s studio is in Coos Bay, Oregon. Their respective Web sites are www.designandsew.com and www.dawnmcintyre.com.

Photos, except where noted: David Page Coffin