Did you know you can transfer photos to fabric without using iron-on sheets? I love this technique. It's simple to execute and the end results are really pretty. It's another method for hand printing! I made some fabrics the other day and used them to add pockets to one of my wool skirts. Do you want to learn to transfer photos to fabric? I thought so... Enjoy!
Supplies Needed: Fabric (I used white quilting cotton), Gel Medium (I used this kind from Liquidex
), Paint Brush and the image you want to transfer. You can use *any* laser copied image or an image from a vintage magazine (that's what I used) or newspaper. Remember that if your image has words on it you will need to reverse it before copying as the words will print backwards. You'll also need a spray bottle filled with water.
How to transfer a photo to fabric: 1. Completely cover your image with gel medium. Use a heavy coat. 2. Press it onto a piece of fabric and let it dry for several hours or overnight. 3-4. After your image is completely dry, use a spray bottle to wet the top of the paper. 5. Rub the surface with your fingers until pieces of the paper start coming off. When pieces start coming up your image will be revealed. Some pieces come up easily in clean strips and some are more time consuming to remove. Be careful not to rub too hard as this can remove your transfer as well. Continue until all the paper is removed and the image is completely visable! 6. You're done. If you want to display your fabric (for example if you are transfering to a canvas for your wall) you might want to add one more coat of gel medium to protect and seal your image.
Note: Don't be alarmed if your transfer isn't completely perfect. Some work better than others and you'll learn a lot from experimenting on different surfaces! The final image is meant to be imperfect. Hand transferred fabric pieces should be considered 'handwash only'. I would not put it into a washing machine. That's one reason why I chose a wool skirt to add the pockets to, I would already handwash this skirt.
Well there you go! This method is so easy! I can't wait to use it to make pillows, bows and canvas prints of our wedding photos! Oh, and you can use this exact same method to transfer photos onto wood and many other surfaces. The possibilities are endless! Have fun creating.... xo. elsie
so cool! i've been wanted to do this for a while but never knew how to! woo hoo!
Posted by: courtney | October 11, 2011 at 07:03 PM
Wow!!! So totally didn't know that you could do this!! Thanks so much - can't wait to try it!
Love,
Stephanie May*
http://www.maydae.com
Posted by: Stephanie May* | October 11, 2011 at 07:04 PM
Yes you are right..such a great idea to do with wedding photos!! Girl you just keep coming up with awesome little ideas.
Posted by: Lindsay @ Delighted Momma | October 11, 2011 at 07:09 PM
i love it! This is amazing, i can't wait to try it... :)
http://www.swonderfulgd.blogspot.com
Posted by: Georgia | October 11, 2011 at 07:15 PM
That is so cool! I really like how you used yours on the skirt pockets!
Posted by: Loulou Downtown | October 11, 2011 at 07:17 PM
I have used gel medium to make prints on canvas, but adding it to the wool skirt is a nice touch.
Thanks for the tip!
~mel
Posted by: mel | October 11, 2011 at 07:19 PM
What a wonderful tutorial! <3 I love the idea of doing it onto pockets too! It looks so super cute! x
www.lostinthehaze.com
Posted by: Jo - Lost in the Haze | October 11, 2011 at 07:19 PM
Awe, this is so cool! :D I wonder what kind of fabrics are better to transfer pictures.
Thanks for sharing!
Miki.
Posted by: Miki | October 11, 2011 at 07:22 PM
VERY coooool! thanks so much for sharing :-)
http://alongtheway-annie.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Annie | October 11, 2011 at 07:22 PM
Super cute idea!! I didn't know you could do this!
Posted by: Mandy @ Miss Indie | October 11, 2011 at 07:25 PM
That is amazing! I made a quilt with photos when I was in highschool using photo transfer paper (iron on) but it's been ages since I've done it! Love that you can do it so accessibly! Thanks for the inspiration!
Kacie
A Collection of Passions
Posted by: Kacie @ A Collection of Passions | October 11, 2011 at 07:27 PM
very very cool thank you for the tutorial! super unique
www.dragonnfruit.com
Posted by: dragon fruit | October 11, 2011 at 07:29 PM
Such a fun idea! It would be a great way to make someone a special keepsake gift for a wedding or anniversary, don't you think? The pockets look great on your skirt too, I love the flower one!
Posted by: Lyndall | October 11, 2011 at 07:31 PM
This is amazing!
Posted by: Gina_AcuteDesigns | October 11, 2011 at 07:32 PM
Oh my gosh! I soooo didn't know about this! I loooooove it! Lurrrrve it! I see pics of my doggies going everywhere! Hearts, Janna Lynn P.S. Thank you, thank you, thank you for such amazing DIY's!
Posted by: Janna Lynn | October 11, 2011 at 07:34 PM
WOW, I didn't even know you could do this! I love it :)
Posted by: Rebecca - A Daily Something | October 11, 2011 at 07:42 PM
Never thought that was possible. Absolutely loving it!! All your clever DIY tutorials are being added on to my to-do list. :)
Posted by: Meli (Blush + Jelly) | October 11, 2011 at 07:45 PM
So cool! I want to do this on dish towels!
http://www.thoreausdaughter.com/
Posted by: Hillary | October 11, 2011 at 08:02 PM
awesome! this is so cool
-grace
http://herumbrella.com
Posted by: grace | October 11, 2011 at 08:16 PM
cool! i will try.. :)
http://lovesimplegreen.blogspot.com
Posted by: irene wibowo | October 11, 2011 at 08:25 PM