Tutorial: Crisp, Clean Paint Lines

This tutorial was featured on Instructables.

Have you ever tried to use masking tape for its intended purpose only to discover that, no matter how carefully you apply the tape, paint bleeds under it, ruining your efforts?

Making clean paint lines between two colors doesn't have to require a steady hand or special equipment. This technique is very simple and requires only paint, brushes and masking tape. This time, however, you will be controlling the bleeding paint and using it to create crisp lines that precisely follow the edge of the tape.

Lay down the first color, extending past the area where the line will be. If you are using two layers per color, paint both layers.







Once it's dry, place your masking tape. In this case, the bottom of the masking tape marks the location where the edge between the two colors will appear.






Using the same color, paint along the tape edge. This seems strange but, there will always be some bleeding under the tape. By deliberately painting against the tape, you seal the edge with the first color, allowing it to bleed under the edge, so the second color can't do it. The edge of the tape becomes the edge of your line.




Make sure the lower edge of the paint feathers softly away so you won't see a thick ragged layer of paint later on.







When the bleed-under layer has dried, paint the second color. Make sure your paint overlaps the location of the tape line.







Remove the tape by pulling it at a 90 degree angle. Do this when the paint is wet, if possible.

Tah-dah! Crisp, clean paint lines!

(I hate adding a caveat but it seems warranted here: I haven't had any problems with the line when removing the tape after the second color has dried BUT other people I know have. It has to do with paint setting up and binding to itself. So, if you cannot pull the tape while it is still wet or at least soon after it dries, you might consider using a craft knife and a straight edge to score the line before pulling the tape.)

Pint Ice Cream Cozy Tutorial

A PDF version of this tutorial can be downloaded here: Ice Cream Cozy Tutorial

I started making these pint ice cream cozies after my daughter's friend requested them. I don't like overlapping seams or hook and loop closures so I used elastic to secure it together.

Ice Cream Cozy Supplies:
fabric (minimum of 10" X12")--this can be all one fabric or two pieces about 5"x12"
batting, fleece or other insulating material (5"X12")
1/2" elastic (about 4,")
Thread
Scissors
One pint ice cream container emptied and cleaned


To make the pattern, you will be disassembling the container. Start by cutting off the rounded top edge. Then poke a hole in the bottom and tear out the disc on the bottom. Finally, cut along the seam down the length of the container. Lay this flat and it will serve as a pattern for the fabric and batting.




Transfer the pattern from the cardboard onto the fabric. You will need two pieces of fabric cut from this pattern. These can be the same fabric or two contrasting or coordinating fabrics.






The insulating layer will need to be a little bit smaller. I suggest marking out the pattern onto the batting and then adjusting it by moving it in two directions 1/2". (See picture)






Center the insulating layer on the wrong side of one piece of fabric. Temporarily secure in place by basting or pinning. When pinning, be sure the pins are inserted from the RIGHT side of the fabric or you'll eventually trap them inside.





Next, layer the two pieces of fabric, right sides together with the insulating layer on top and pin in place. On one of the short sides, pin the piece of elastic between the fabric layers about 1" from each corner. The edge of the elastic should line up with the edge of the fabric and the length should be sandwiched BETWEEN the layers of fabric.



Start sewing on the non-elastic short side about 1" from the end. Backstitch to secure. Continue sewing around the whole thing, finishing 3/4" from the other ends of the beginning side and backstitch to secure. Refer to the black line in the picture to see where the stitching goes.




Clip the corners close to the stiching. You can clip toward the sewing on the curves if you'd like but the curves are so gentle it hardly makes a difference.

Turn the fabric right side out. Push out the corners, fold the open seam in, and press for crisp edges.



Tuck the elastic into the open seam near the edges of the opening. Leave 1/4" to 1/2" of elastic showing and pin the elastic in place. Stitch 1/4" from the edge of the fabric, catching the elastic in the seam. Continue sewing around the edges until you reach the original sewing to complete the cozy.