One of my favorite types of story quilts is to print a vintage photo on fabric and enhance it with stitch and color. I’m frequently asked to describe the printing process I use. Here it is – I use an inkjet printer, by the way.
Commercially prepared fabric is available for purchase and I’ve used several of them. In the photo above, you can see that I wrote the names of some projects where I used each type. That reminds me of how that product worked and if I want to use it again. Some proved to be difficult to stitch though by hand, so I reserve those for machine stitching only.
If I plan to transfer a color photo and do all stitching by machine, I love to use the prepared silk fabric. It produces clear images with brilliant colors, and quilts up beautifully.
When I am transferring a vintage photo like the one in Four Brothers, above, I like the vintage look of an old piece of cotton or linen, so I prepare my own fabric.
A good source of linen is a vintage tablecloth (stained and ragged is okay) or napkins. This photo shows what a bargain such napkins can be. For $5, I bought six linen napkins, each larger than an 8 ½” x 11” sheet of paper. This is less expensive than the packages of prepared fabric.
First, I press the fabric (here I used a piece of a linen bedsheet – gray, so you can see the paper against it), then cut a piece about 9’ x 12” ( a bit larger is okay).
There are many brands of freezer paper sheets available, I have used many and have no preference – this is just what I have on hand today. I know I can cut my own sheets of freezer paper to 8 ½” x 11” from a roll; I find the precut sheets to be easier to handle.
I iron the freezer paper (shiny side down) to the fabric.
Using a ruler and rotary cutter, I trim the fabric exactly along the edge of the paper. A sharp blade helps prevent ragged edges – I don’t want loose threads to get caught in my printer.
I load the fabric on the freezer paper “carrier” sheet into my printer, taking care to be sure that the fabric side will be receiving the ink. I often print black and white images (even if the original photo is color) to give a vintage feel – then highlight some feature by painting it.
Here is a “man in overalls” fresh from the printer tray.
I sometimes put more than one photo on a page, depending on the desired finished size of my photo.
I paint the selected portion of the photo while the fabric is still adhered to the freezer paper. This adds stability and seems to help prevent bleeding. I use some of the surround space to test my paint or markers, as you see above.
I use the same process to print words on fabric. Yes, that’s printing on linen that’s been overdyed with indigo.
In my next post(s), I’ll discuss my painting and quilting processes for these art quilts.
The story of the quilt pictured at the top of the post, the man with the bicycle, is here.
I so appreciated you helping me create my little quilted panel with my Mother’s picture. Still have 2 to work on if I ever get around to it. Miss seeing you and love your posts, they help me feel connected. Maybe next time I go to GA. we can get together. Fond memories of our time spent in art classes with Mark Ballard! Tell Jim I said “hello” and that you need to come to Wisconsin for a visit!
It’s fun to play with those old photos and the stories they tell. A trip to Wisconsin…hmmm…sounds great!
Thank you so much, Sandy, for sharing your wealth of tips on using old photographs, mementos, linens and vintage fabrics, handmade laces, embroideries, beads, buttons, trims, jewelry, personal adornments, clothing and previously loved quilts. Though it pains me to cut them up, you have given us freedom to give these old pieces “new life” as part of an enthusiastic newer generation of quilt artists who appreciate the work of years gone by. Your creative gifts are so appreciated by our Heart of Georgia Quilt Guild members.
My pleasure, for certain!
Hope to see your work at the Georgia Fair this year!
Hmmm…thanks for the reminder!