Silk Screened Pillow

Materials:

leather (thin, smooth and not oily)
cutting mat
rotary cutter
sharp scissors
ruler
square
quick rivets
eyelets
eyelet set
mink oil
hammer
rivet set
heavy-duty sewing machine
upholstery thread
silkscreen frame
silkscreen
textile silkscreen ink
squeegee
photo emulsion
awl
hole punch
black clips
pillow form
soap and water
masking tape
heat gun
acetate photocopy of design

1. Prep silk-screen frame by stretching silk on to frame. Wash with soap and water and let dry (figure A).

2. In a low-lit area, squeegee a thin layer of photo emulsion on to screen and let dry in the dark (figure B).

3. Create a monochromatic artwork design–CAN ONLY BE ONE COLOR–BLACK ON WHITE–NO GRAY SCALING- and photocopy onto clear acetate (figure C).

4. Place the screen with dry photo emulsion flat with the screen side up. Place the acetate artwork on top in the opposite direction that you would read it.

5. Place a 300-watt light over the screen for about 20 to 30 minutes with no other light source to interrupt it (figure D).

6. Wash out the screen in soap and water in an area with low light and let dry (figure E).

7. For a 16-inch pillow prepare the leather by cutting:

• 7-1/2" x 17" center strip of light green leather
• Two 1-1/2" x 17"strips of blue leather
• Two 6" x 17" strips of white leather for the front
• Be sure to include 1/2-inch seam allowances on each strip.
• Cut two blue leather pieces, one 8-1/2" x 17" and the second piece 12-1/2" x 17" for the back.