Photo Transfer - Help me please?

13 years ago

Hello all,

I am in charge of creating a quilt for our retiring minister. We don't exactly know the date of retirement, but we do know that she plans to retire when she gets married in Feb. 2010, so my time element is short.

We're making her a signature quilt, and I want to use photo images of her time with us to remind her of how great she has been for us, and to let her know how highly we regard her. Problem is, I know next to nothing about transferring photos to fabric. Do I need bleached muslin for the photos? Is it better to but the "photo transfer fabric sheets" I've heard about? Or should I purchase the fixatives/washouts and work it that way?

At the very least, can someone please recommend a really good book to get me involved in this process? As you can see, with all my years of experience, I know next to nothing about this kind of quilting. I've already started to acquire the signatures, and have selected a pattern that will allow for plenty of photo images. The photos are rolling in already, too, and I am hoping to have lots to work from. But my time is of the essence here, and I really am at a loss.

Won't you please help a drowning quilter? Throw me a life ring?

Thanks much,

Odessa

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Comments (6)

mary_c_gw
13 years ago
I've done both methods.

The Printed Treasures printer fabric is certainly easy. My major objection is that the fabric is a bit stiff - probably why it prints so well! Also make sure you prewash all other fabrics, because the Printed Treasures seems to attract any loose dyes in the wash water, even with dye-catchers.

It's also expensive, so I would suggest you do 2 to 4 photos per page, making sure to leave a margin around them for your seam allowance. Making the photos square will probably simplfy piecing.

I've also done the Bubble Jet Set method. You soak the fabric, then let it dry. Iron it onto freezer paper, print, let dry for 30 minutes, the rinse with Bubble Jet Set rinse. With this method, you could use either bleached or unbleached muslin, or a broadcloth.

Fabric treated this way is less likely to pick up stray dyes in the wash, and I feel it has a better hand. It's also considerably less expensive. The initial purchase of the solutions might seem a bit pricy, but you don't dump the Jet Set solution down the drain. After soaking your fabric, pour the solution back into the bottle.

If you go this route, my DH bought me the most fabulous freezer paper - it's heavier than the stuff on the rolls, and it's already cut in 8.5x11" sheets. I've never seen it in fabric or craft stores, but the manufacturer is C. Jenkins Necktie Company (which made me LOL).

www.cjenkinscompany.com

General printing instructions - Crop photos carefully. You want more faces than background. Large group shots don't work all that well. Always do a test print on paper in draft mode, but make sure you reset the printer properties to "Best" before printing on fabric. Stock up on ink cartridges! Oh, and possibly consider printing some as b/w images.

Good luck, and feel free to ask more questions!
nana24
13 years ago
Odessa, I have used the bubble jet method and used a good quality muslin. A friend used a silk dupioni (she found it at a Singer store but I have seen it on line). She likes the way it works because of the tight thread count.

I just put together a small wall hanging of pictures of my sisters and myself to give at Thanksgiving. I only made one (there are 6 of us) so we will draw for it among sisters and adult girls in the family.

Good luck with your quilt!

Sally
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cindykg23
13 years ago
Odessa-

Mary C & Sally have given you excellent advice. I've used BubbleJet method for sev'l yrs with much success. Fabric stays soft & is wash & dry-able if quilt ever gets soiled. (w/no damage to photo) Depending on other fabrics in the quilt I've used both bleached & unbleached muslin. Photos look fine on either.
Good luck! If I were closer I'd offer to help with the transfers:)

~Cindy
odessaquilts
Original Author
13 years ago
Cindy, I'm in Michigan ... how soon can you get here?

Actually, I am a fairly accomplished quilter/sewer, but this is an area in which I am woefully ignorant. And clearly I want to do a great job, so all your help is invaluable to me. Keep those tips coming, please! And thank you all.

Odessa
grammyp
13 years ago
I have done 2 photo transfer quilts and used the June Taylor sheets. The current owner of the quilts says they are holding up just great, but I haven't seen them lately.

beverly
wanda_va
13 years ago
I've used different brands of sheets, but, as Mary said, they are stiff--and I wonder how well they will hold up to laundering.

I have used the Bubble Jet Set AND rinse, and was extremely pleased. And I agree with Mary that it is the most economical in the long run.

Here's a link for a website with wonderful instructions.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bubble Jet Set instructions

Photo Transfer - Help me please?

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Photo Transfer - Help me please?

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