Printing on Fabric...

I've been inspired by those who have posted tutorials for printing on fabric. In August Gail at "My rePurposed Life" created just such a tutorial. It seems that each tutorial that is published is a little different, so I'm here to show you how I accomplished the feat this week! Printed fabric is a fabulous way to add a special touch to your home. All you need is a piece of cardstock paper, some light-colored fabric and spray adhesive. 

Begin by ironing your fabric flat and laying it down on a flat surface. Spray your cardstock with the adhesive, and gently lay it onto the fabric -- adhesive side down. Press the cardstock onto the fabric, then trim your fabric edges to the exact size of the cardstock.

I went to the "The Graphics Fairy" for this Pumpkin image. Karen has hundreds of beautiful images that you can download free of charge. Download your chosen image to your computer.

Then bring up a new Word document and insert the saved image into your Word document. Below is an image from my computer screen. It shows the dimensions that I enlarged the image to so it would nicely fit on my 8.5x11 inch piece of paper.(Height 5.8"; Width 9.7")

 

To print onto your fabric put your cardstock/fabric into your printer -- fabric side down (for inkjet printers).  Make sure you set the 'Print Quality' to "best." Then print the image onto your cardstock/fabric.When it emerges from the printer it will look like the photo below. Gorgeous, eh?

Warning: There are many tutorials that tell you to tape your fabric onto the cardstock. For me, this method didn't work well at all. With this method my fabric was too loose to print nicely. Below is an example of the differences between the taping method and the adhesive method. The fabric in the top of the photo was taped to the cardstock. The fabric shifted as it went through the printer and printed unevenly onto the fabric (note right side of fabric). The fabric on the bottom was attached to the cardstock with spray adhesive. You can see how the outside margins of the image are straight...

Let the ink on your fabric dry for several hours, then peel off the cardstock from the fabric.

(Note: This method of transferring a print directly onto a piece of fabric is NOT washable. I used it on a seasonal pillow top that I'll display for one or two months out of the year. Understand that there are no little ones in my home, so the need to wash this item is greatly diminished. ;o) If you want to print onto fabric that will need to be washed, you'll want to use iron-on transfer sheets to transfer your image onto fabric. I'll post about that method within the next couple of weeks!)

I used my printed fabric as a middle panel in a very simple seasonal pillow...

For those interested, below are the dimensions of the unfinished panel pieces. I used a 1/2" seam allowance on all my seams for this pillow...

I can't even begin to tell you how much I love this method of transfering an image to fabric. It's so inexpensive and easy! 

This particular image makes for a fabulous, earthy, autumn pillow.

 I have another couple of images up my sleeve that I'll be using this next week.

I'm aware this will come as a big shock, but the images I have in mind won't be used for pillows. I know. I know. Pick yourself up off the floor.

A girl has to diversify every now and then.

Linked to:

 



















Brag Monday @ The Graphics Fairy
SNS @ Funky Junk Interiors
Catch-as-Catch-Can @ My rePurposed Life
Show & Share Day @ Just a Girl
Friday Fun Finds @ kojo designs
Porch Party @ First a Dream
Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest
Best DIY Projects of September @ Beneath My Heart
Hookin' Up with HOH @ House of Hepworths
Transformation Thursdays @ The Shabby Chic Cottage
Show Off Your Stuff Party @ Fireflies and Jellybeans
Get Your Craft On Thursday @ Life as Lori
A Crafty Soiree @ Yesterday on Tuesday