As a textile artist — whether you choose to create quilts, thread sketches or thread paintings, mixed media textiles, or all of these, fabric paints and dyes can add a fun element to your work.
As with everything in the craft world, there are hundreds of paints and dyes available for use with fabric.
Find a wide variety of fabric paints and dyes, along with guides on how to use them, all in one place. Whether you’re a quilter, or prefer mixed media textiles, fabric paintings and dyes can add a unique element to your projects.
Because every variety of fabric paint or dye is designed for a different purpose, here are my top questions to ask before deciding what to buy:
- Does your dye or paint need to be colour-fast?
- What type of fabric will you be working with?
- Do you want a simple colour highlighter, or do you prefer a professional dye that ‘fixes’ permanently with your fabric?
If you’re looking for fabric paints and dyes for textile artists — from Derwent Inktense to permanent dyes like Procion MX, discover some of my favourite supplies of fabric paints and dyes for textile artists.
Recommended Fabric Paints and Dyes
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. This means I may receive a small commission (at no further expense to you) if you click through and make a purchase. ThreadSketchingInAction.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn commission fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Derwent Inktense Colored Pencils
These Derwent Inktense pencils are so popular with quilters, textile artists, and crafters. If you’ve never tried them, then this box set gives you a fabulous range of colors to work with. Sets are available in various sizes.
Derwent Inktense Ink Blocks
Inktense blocks are wonderful for creating swathes of colour, or for grating and dissolving in water to create a wash of paint.
Derwent Inktense Paint 12 Pan Palette
These paint palettes are a relatively new release by Derwent. The vivid colors are permanent and can be applied to fabric, paper, and other ‘crafty’ surfaces.
Jo Sonja Textile Medium
A textile medium (also often referred to as a Fabric Fixative) for fabric painting. This Jo Sonja Textile Medium is perfect for many colour fixing needs.
Pebeo Setacolor Fabric Paint Set – pack of 10 colors Opaque
If you want to ‘sun dye’ your fabric, create washes of color, or touch up details on your work, Pebeo Setacolor is versatile, water soluble, and so easy to use.
Tuskineko Fabrico Dual-Tip Markers
I really love these Fabrico markers. Look after them and they’ll last you for years. Once heat set with a hot iron, the color is permanently fixed on your fabric. Available in handy packs, or individually.
Tip: Keep the caps on when not in use!
Procion Cold Water Fabric Dye
Procion cold water fabric dye is perfect for artists who want to create their own permanently dyed fabric. Procion dyes are ‘true’ dyes, rather than fabric paints.
Available in many, many colors, and can be purchased individually.
Recommended Reading
- Using Inktense on Fabric (Tutorial)
- Using Inktense on Fabric Part 1 (Video)
- Using Inktense on Fabric Part 2 (Video)
- Using Inktense on Fabric Part 3 (Video)
