You will need the applicator bottle, and your choice of stylus.
( REMEMBER to have a couple stainless steel pins, to place into the point of the stylus, in order that it is clear, and does NOT clog. This is done for short periods of time, NOT for hours!)
In preparation for applying the ‘gutta’, you must have a damp paper towel in one hand, and the applicator bottle in the working hand.
Make certain to hold the applicator bottle at an ANGLE, about 45 degrees, NOT VERTICAL, so as not to clog the stylus while working!
Test the flow of the ‘gutta’ on your paper towel before you begin.
DO NOT expect to get straight lines, this is hand-painting!
When pulling lines, sometimes, you may have air bubbles, which create a ‘miss’, so you go back and gently fill in the space.
( I do borders for most of my ‘gutta serti’ scarves, with some kind of motif and colour interest at both ends.)
Once you begin to draw your design with the ‘gutta’, try to begin lines at natural ends or points, not in the middle of a line.
Thinking ahead to painting, you should try to create ‘rest points’ into your design. This is so that you are not painting a large expanse of colour, which may cause ‘hard’ lines to appear, when you desire a flat field or background colour. See video.
When doing curvilinear designs, make certain that you begin pulling your line at a point or at an end, so that you can see where you’re going.
NB. DO NOT TOUCH THE FABRIC.
Try to create a natural flow.
(You may like to make a colour legend of the colours that you use, and their placement.)
CLEAN-UP: Wash your stylus and the tip of your applicator bottle with hot water, and a touch of liquid soap.
ALLOW the silk to dry thoroughly before applying your paints/dyes. You should need 24 hours, depending on how thick the ‘gutta’ has been applied.
