I began the process by going to The Graphics Fairy and falling in love with a beautiful, autumn-like, vintage image...
I downloaded the image onto my computer and began the real work. Because the dishtowel needed to be washable, I chose to use a "print and iron-on" method. I bought these iron-on transfer sheets at Hobby Lobby for $5.99. That's $2 a sheet which is, in my opinion, is a bit pricey. Still, I wanted to try out the method, so I grabbed the sheets and nicely pitched the big bucks to the cashier.
To use an iron-on transfer, one must make a mirror image of the picture you plan to use -- especially if your image has writing on it. I use Picasa3 as my photo editor. To make a mirror image in Picasa3, hold down the Ctrl + Shift keys and then strike the "H" key. Unfortunately, Picasa3 would not allow me to save the mirrored image until I edited the picture further by cropping it or enhancing the color. After the picture was further edited, I could then save the mirrored image in that form. Go figure.
Here's the image that I originally saved in Picasa3...
And here's the cropped mirror image...
Then bring up a new Word Document and insert the saved mirror image into the document. Size the image to the desired shape and size, then print the image onto a transfer sheet using your home printer. I set my Print Quality to "best" and let 'er rip! Lickity-split you have a mirror image on your transfer sheet. At this point all you have to do is put the sheet face-side-down on your fabric and iron it on. Peal off the transfer backing sheet and here's what you have...As I said before, I chose to make a dishtowel with this image. I used my favorite muslin as my fabric of choice, made a few pleats and hemmed the edges...
I love how the quarter inch pleats frame the autumn scene...
The warm, earthy texture of this muslin works well with this sepia-toned image...
Once again, my thanks goes to The Graphics Fairy for this fabulous image...
I'm going to hang this on my oven door the 1st of November
and gaze at it (adoringly) throughout the month.
Have a great day,
Linked to:
Saturday Soiree @ A Little Lovely
Saturday Night Specials @ Funky Junk Interiors
Show & Tell @ Be Different Act Normal
Weekend Wrap Up Party @ Tatertots & Jello
Hookin' Up @ House of Hepworths
DIY Fall Festival @ DIY Show Off
SYS Link Party @ Somewhat Simple
Show Off Your Stuff @ Fireflies & Jellybeans
Get Your Craft On Thursday @ Life as Lori
Show & Tell @ Blue Cricket Design
Get Your Craft On @ Today's Creative Blog
Anything Related @ All Thingz Related
Brag Monday @ The Graphics Fairy
27 comments:
I love this project, it looks polished and earthy at the same time. And I love that we'll get to see you guys for Thanksgiving too!
In the meantime, we'll be thinking of you as our little guys fill up their Aunt-Suzanne created Halloween totes at the church trunk or treat...
great tute suzanne! Thanks!
I love your new towel.
gail
Another great tutorial! I look forward to trying this. Your towel turned out so cute!
How awesome is that~ Your towel turned out beautiful!
Just saw you on All Thingz Related and wanted to check out your project. Very nice...and easy! Thanks~
That is really beautiful...it must be so satisfying to make something so nice..you are so talented! :D
Your towel caught my attention right away. I really like it.
sweet sweet sweet!!
Thanks for the how to's
blessings
barbara jean
I agree with some other commenters - sophisticated and rustic at the same time. Love this!
Fabulous as always Suzanne! I love that graphic and those pleats are so lovely! Thanks for another fabulous tutorial ~ Tina xx
Cute and for suggestions on cost effectiveness...Joann's has a roll of the printable fabric. Be sure to use your coupons! Have you ever tried to heat set your other idea and wash to see what happens? Just curious.
What a Wonderful Project! It is absolutely Beautiful! Thank You for Sharing the How To and your Talent!
Have A Great Week!
Hugs
Jill
I love this idea. I love the pleated towel.
would you mind telling where you purchased the towel or did you make the towel??
thanks julie
Julie - I made the towel myself with muslin that I buy at Hobby Lobby. It's located by the other muslin fabric, but it is a coarser and more rustic looking muslin than the rest. Hope that helps. - Suzanne
I had no idea that there was a mirror image function in Picasa. Any other Picasa trick you have been hiding from me? :)
Hi Suzanne,
Oh my gosh, these towels are gorgeous, simply gorgeous!!! I love them to pieces and they make a beautiful gift...
Now I've got more to tell you...when I was on your blog before, I didn't realize it was YOUR blog!!! I just clicked the button on Karen's blog and didn't realize it was you...How have you been? Good, I hope!!!
XO
Cindy
Thank you so much for letting me know how to do this!!!
This is gorgeous!!! The natural color of the muslin compliments the image perfectly, and I adore the pleats!! Thanks for linking this up to Brag Monday.
What a great idea, perfect for gift giving. This is a must try. Thanks for sharing suck a great project.
I don't know what happened, I'm usually pretty good at this but somehow I posted my comment three times! Really.
This is beautiful, thank you so much for the inspiration! I have been a regular on Karen's for some time now, the Graphics Fairy is great!!
I am a new follower, and am looking forward to more great posts.
Have a super day,
Lisa
www.lisa-bass.blogspot.com
I was wondering how to do a fabric transfer. It came out nice.If you would like to you are more than welcome to post on my blog.@scrapaddict4sure.com
So beautiful!! Can't wait to try this my self! Thanks for linking up with Anything Related! ~Bridgette
I adore Graphics Fairy. Where she comes up with all of them, I have no idea.
Your towel is sensational! I use iron on transfers a lot for my paintings (for presents). Works great. Paint one thing, make lots of projects!
This is so simple and pretty...it'd make a great gift.
Oh, I just love this idea...thank for the tutorial. Your towels are absolutely gorgeous!
~Julia
Beautiful! I cannot WAIT to get a printer so I can try a few tricks from Graphics Fairy as well. My oh my this inspires me so!
Donna
Fantastic tutorial, I am going to try this out for sure!
alicia
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