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Melanie Testa

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Working Large

As you know, I have a tendency to working small. I live in a small New York City apartment. My studio, if this is what you call it, resides within my home. My ‘wet studio’ consists of a 2 foot by 4 foot workbench. So, of course, the fabrics I print need to be sized appropriate to the space I have available to me. Working small does not seem to be a limiting factor to me. But it sure is nice to be able to print on a bigger scale.

IMG_5761

So, to stir things up, I decided to take a class and check out the Gowanus Print Lab, a studio that focuses on screen printing. The Print Lab offers many options for people like me, they rent space by the hour, day, week and month. Being able to print yardage, in a workable and functional studio space outside my home seems like a pie in the sky treat! I can see myself utilizing this now and again.

But let me back up. Above is an image of the vacuum table that helps burn screens. I took this photo while my design was burning. It is hard to tell what is happening, but off to the left a light fixture is shining its light onto the table, which you see, tipped upwards to reveal my screen to the lamp.

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This is the design I have been working with in class. I have soda soaked this cloth and will be printing and adding additional color using Procion MX dyes soon.

Working larger is exciting! I have been printing pieces of fabric that measure about 9×11″ for over two years. I love figuring out how to use these scrappy bits. I love the variety of color I can print when printing small, but being able to print yardage?

E-X-C-I-T-I-N-G!

There is nothing wrong with this!

February 10, 2015 By Melanie Tagged With: Floral, Gowanus Print Lab, NYC, Polka Dots, Procion MX dye, Roses, Screen Printing, Studio

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jeannie

    February 10, 2015 at 4:15 pm

    What fun!!!!! Thanks for explaining the photo. I wondered what was going on. I love the rose design. (My Grandmother’s name was Rosa, so I have a fondness for roses and the cottage was named Polly Rose after her and her mother.) Working small does allow for a lot of experimentation and play, but working large is so satisfying. I picked up a door last fall for exactly that reason. The patio now has electrical outlets and good lighting, so this summer I plan to work LARGE. 🙂

  2. leslie tucker jenison

    February 10, 2015 at 4:16 pm

    Wowza. That is pretty cool that you have a chance to work larger when you want to. I love the screen design. Looking forward to seeing what you do with this. And, missing you, as always. xo

  3. Barbara Fox

    February 10, 2015 at 5:12 pm

    Think large, I love it! Nice roses…

    • Barbara Fox

      February 10, 2015 at 5:12 pm

      that is, “thinking” large

  4. Kathi

    February 10, 2015 at 10:05 pm

    wish I had access to a place like that. Cool

  5. Maeve Binder

    February 19, 2015 at 4:10 pm

    Loving this piece of fabric with the roses! Really gorgeous! I’d buy this print in a heartbeat. Keep on designing Melly!!!!

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