Marbling

Marbling is a painting technique where a design can be created before it is transferred to the fabric.  Some planning ahead is required for marbling as fabric must be soaked in alum and hanged to dry before it can be used for marbling.  A gel-like substance called methocel (or a more traditional material - seaweed) is mixed with ammonia to create the surface on which the paint will float.  The ammonia is used as a dispersant that encourages the paint to spread along the surface of the methocel.  Paint can be applied to this surface in many different ways depending on the desired pattern.  Often, the paint is dropped onto the surface with a dropper with paint.  To create a pattern, use a "rake" that will pull the paint along in a uniform way.  There are different patterns that can be achieved with different types of rakes or styli to move the paint across the surface of the methocel.  When a pattern is created, then lay the pre-treated fabric directly onto the paint, then immediately rinse of the methocel in a bucket of water.  The fabric can then be hanged to dry.