This is by far the grungiest prim stain I’ve made and used to create grungy primitives. Sometimes a regular tea-based stain or coffee stain won’t do. If you want your creations DARK and GRUNGY….this will do it!
When you’re learning how to make primitive dolls, you need a good recipe to stain your doll. There are a variety of methods from using tea to walnut shell to stain the fabric. But, sometimes you want an even more grungy primitive doll. That when you turn to this recipe. You can still prepare your fabric by staining with tea and washing it before you cut and sew your primitive doll. And, after your doll is stuffed, you can use this stain to make it all the more grungy!
Prim Stain Recipe
In my LARGE PLASTIC BOWL I mix the following:
- About 1/2 Cup Molasses
- About 4-7 heaping TBSP Ground Cinnamon
- Fragrance Oil (optional)….. I sometimes add cinnamon oil
- Tap water….. this does not have to be HOT….. just warm water
- Cheesecloth
- Large Jar for storage
- Sponge brush
- Latex Gloves (optional)
- Baking Sheet (the extra large disposable baking sheets or drip pans do well because they have plenty of room to spread out your doll or lots of ornies)
Directions
Pour the molasses into my bowl and then add ground Cinnamon. Work the cinnamon into the molasses with my spoon until its all dissolved. Next if you are adding a fragrance oil, I do it now so it will be good and mixed in before adding the water. I then add 2-3 cups water, mix and toss in the fridge for about 4-6 hours. You want the mix cold so the molasses will settle to the bottom)
Now its ready to use the prim stain but you can do things 2 different ways!
You can leave the mixture like it is and when you paint it on your creations, it will have a spicy residue.When it drys you can rub your fingers over the whole thing to rub the spices in further.
Or, with another container(usually a plastic jug),I place a large piece of cheesecloth(Nice and thick….so fold it a few times) and secure with a big rubber band~ pour the mixture through the cheesecloth to strain out the molasses and spice mixture.
You don’t have to strain ALL of the prim stain mixture…..it can be quite thick and heavy at the bottom. You just want to make sure that you have ALL of the liquid.
This fabric stain solution is VERY DARK AND GRUNGY! To maximize your solution, you dilute with water, about half and half!!
Using the Prim Stain
To grunge your primitives, I use a small sponge brush to paint with it. You can however fill a spray bottle once it is diluted and spray your creations that way!
If you place your grungy primitives in the oven with a low temperature (I use the lowest temperature my oven goes). They will turn out more “stiff” due to the sugar content of the molasses. Sometimes that creates a cool prim effect. If you DO NOT want that effect once baked…. Rinse your item under cold water and allow to fully air dry! The stain color will remain without the stiffness!
For a really dark grunge stain, don’t dilute the solution! You can also take ground cinnamon after sprinkle it on places. Take your fingers and rub it into the fabrics.
I have kept this mixture in my fridge for up to 5 months and had no problems with it!
Tutorial submitted by Cedara of Thru the Attic Door
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