HTDT? 7.07.09 - Printing on Fabric: My Favorite Things

20something · 07-07-2009

Hello Everyone!

For this week’s HTDT, Jody asked me to post my instructions for how to print the awesome MFT digi papers on fabric, so you all can make your own fabulous fabric creations!

Before you run away because you think you can’t sew and think you therefore won’t have an opportunity to try this, stick around! I’ve got a bunch of no-sewing or minimal-sewing fabric project ideas for you later on!

But first we’ve got to learn to print on fabric, so let’s begin at the beginning!

20something · 07-07-2009

First, you'll need to choose a fabric. I don't think it really matters what kind you choose, but for the truest color, you will obviously want the whitest color you can find. I have used both a heavy-weight duck cloth and a much cheaper and thinner muslin-like fabric, and both gave me good results. For today’s tutorial, I chose a muslin in a creamy-natural tone.

You'll also need some kind of pattern file to print. MFT has a whole line of digital papers ready to print (for cheap!) that you can find HERE. I’ve found that high-contrast patterns tend to print better than lighter ones, since the printing dulls the pattern a little bit. So you'll want to keep that in mind when choosing your file.

Other supplies you’ll need:
Freezer Paper—can be found near the wax paper and aluminum foil in any grocery store
An Iron
A Computer and Printer
Scissors
A Paper Cutter

20something · 07-07-2009

And here's how it all works!

First, prepare your fabric. If you are planning on making something washable, pre-wash and dry your fabric. Lay it out on a surface and cut it to size. The MFT digi files are 8 1/2" x 11", so I used a piece of letter-sized cardstock as a template. You'll want to leave a small (1/4 to 1/2 inch) border on all sides. You don't have to be neat at this step. Just cut something that vaguely resembles a rectangle, and you're fine.

Next, get out your freezer paper. If you haven't seen freezer paper, it's basically like a combination wax and parchment paper. One side is like parchment paper, and the other side is a waxy plastic. You can find it in the baking section of the grocery store by the aluminum foil and wax paper.

Cut a piece of freezer paper to match the fabric piece that you just cut as closely as possible.

Match up your fabric and your freezer paper, one on top of the other, so that the waxy side of the freezer paper is facing the back side of your fabric. Using an iron, iron over the fabric and paper until the paper is completely stuck to the fabric. For my purposes, I had my iron on its highest setting, but this will obviously depend on your fabric and your iron.

20something · 07-07-2009

Your printer won't accept your fabric all uneven and frayed like this, so the next step is to even off the edges. Cut your fabric to the exact size you plan on running through your printer (in this case 8 ½” x 11”). I used a sharp paper cutter, which worked fine. If your paper cutter isn't sharp enough, you can probably get away with carefully tracing and cutting the paper with sharp scissors.

If your paper starts to come unglued at the edges at any point, just run the iron back over it for a few seconds. Make sure there are no stray threads hanging that could get caught in your printer.

The freezer paper gives the fabric enough stability to allow it to safely pass through your printer.

Next comes the fun stuff! It's time to run your fabric through the printer. You'll want to make sure your printer is set to print on its darkest setting. You can usually make this adjustment in the print settings menu on your computer. I tried putting my fabric in the auto-feed tray and the manual feed tray, and both worked (the auto-feed tray worked better for the thicker duck-cloth fabric, while the manual-feed tray worked better for the muslin I purchased). You may need to experiment with your fabric and your printer to see which will work best for you. How you decide to do it is up to what you think your printer can handle.

I used a color laser jet to print my fabric, but an ink jet will work, too. So just line your fabric up, prepare the digital file of your choice, and click "PRINT"!

20something · 07-07-2009

And here's what the fabric looks like straight out of the printer. Your fabric will extend nearly all the way to the edges with a thin white border around the edges (unless you are lucky enough to have a full-bleed printer, in which case the color will go all the way to the edges).

Next is an important step. You'll want to heat set your fabric by running an iron over it for a couple of minutes. This will ensure that you can wash it without it majorly fading or bleeding. I did this face down on paper towels (because a little color does come off when you heat set) with the paper backing still on.

When you're done heat setting, you can peel the paper backing off (it comes off really easily), or you can keep it on if you want to use your paper cutter to make super straight and even cuts for your project. Just be sure to remove it before any sewing.

See, it really is fabric!!!

20something · 07-07-2009

By the way, if you have general questions about downloading and using MFT’s digi paper files, you should refer to the fabulous tutorials that Jody put together a while back. You can find them here:
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/fo...d.php?t=409071
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/fo...d.php?t=409083
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/fo...d.php?t=409089
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/fo...d.php?t=409094
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/fo...d.php?t=409105

20something · 07-07-2009

I hope you’ll consider trying this out and adding some fabric to your stamping! I can think of dozens of ways to incorporate printed fabric with stamping fun. I’ve put together a couple projects today to get you started. All of the projects today use the Simply Spring Collection Digi Papers and By the Seashore.

First, here’s a great no-sew project for you… I covered store-bought photo mats with some of the printed fabric for a nice home décor item. The fabric is such a nice texture and really elevates your project from your standard smooth-paper look. You can find instructions on how to cover photo mats here. It's a good five minute project!

20something · 07-07-2009

Next up is another no-sew project. I took a mini basket I found at a local craft store, stuffed it with fiber-fill and hot-glued printed fabric to the inside of the basket to make an adorable pin cushion. I dressed it up a little with rustic “ribbon” that was just made by cutting strips of the printed fabric and fraying the edges a bit by hand (by pulling some of the threads that were already starting to stick out of the sides of the cut fabric). Finally, I added a tag I created by covering a chipboard tag shape with more of my printed fabric. I stamped on it, colored it, and added it to the basket. Cute and quick gift!

20something · 07-07-2009

If you want to try sewing something, you pretty much can’t get any easier than this project. I decided to put together a couple of pretty-smelling sachets. To make the sachets, I cut squares of the printed fabric and plain fabric. I stamped my image and sentiment on the plain fabric and colored it with copic markers (which won’t bleed when you wash them, by the way!). I hand-frayed the edges again, attached a small loop of ribbon and sewed all around the square, leaving a small hole to stuff some fiber-fill inside. I finished sewing up the edges and spritzed the sachets with a pretty-smelling perfume.

20something · 07-07-2009

And finally, I put together a card for you guys to show you how fun fabric can be when mixed with paper! I just cut panels of fabric and sewed them on a contrasting paper backing before adhering them to my card base. I added another plain fabric panel and stamped my image on it. And I made the flower embellishments out of the printed fabric, too! You can find instructions on making the flowers here. So super easy! They match perfectly and are and much cheaper than those store-bought embellishments!

20something · 07-07-2009

Before I go, I have a couple bits of info for you.

First, I thought I’d leave you with a link to a site that has a bunch of different BEGINNER sewing projects that you could easily incorporate your printed fabric into. Here you go!

Also, I wanted to let you know that among other fun things going on this week at MFT, all digi papers are 10% off! So now you have the perfect excuse to try out this fun technique!

I hope you enjoyed this and can put this tutorial to good use making some rocking gifts and cards!

Please feel free to link to your creations using printed fabric in this thread. Why not consider incorporating it with this week’s My Favorite Challenge or Sketch challenge (that you can find posted in this thread)???

Bar · 07-07-2009

Fantastic tutorial, Kathy! Thanks!

texasjodylynn · 07-07-2009

Oh my goodness! That is a TOTALLY AWESOME tutorial! WOW! It makes me want to run out and try it! WOWZERS!

TruCarMa · 07-07-2009

Wow, Kathy!!! YOU ARE THE BOMB!!! FANTASTIC tutorial!!!

cveneruso · 07-07-2009

You are amazing and your projects all look wonderful and fun.

basilefamily · 07-07-2009

Kathy! Oh my goodness - what totally fantastic projects! Amazing amazing tutorial! Love it!!!

cmf1216 · 07-07-2009

Awesome, Kathy!! You rock!!

dbaker3 · 07-07-2009

WHOA, WOMAN! You totally outdid yourself with all these projects, I totally ADORE them, and who wouldn't?!? I recently brought my little sew-mini out to sew again, maybe this will inspire me to branch out! TFS your awesomeness with us!!

deborahmegan · 07-07-2009

I did this!! I followed your tutorial and you're right, it's so easy!!!

mrupple · 07-07-2009

This is just an amazing tutorial Kathy! Great instructions and your projects are just amazing. You are a wonderful addition to the MFT design team!

Marcee · 07-07-2009

This is INCREDIBLE! I LOVE your projects

raduse · 07-07-2009

Awesome!!!

ldsk34 · 07-08-2009

WOW! What great information. Thanks for sharing.

leslierod · 07-08-2009

Wow, Kathy!! Amazing tutorial, girl. You rock!!

20something · 07-08-2009

Hey everyone...back again! I just got a really good question via PM that I thought I'd address here, so everyone could see...

"I just checked out your printing on fabric tutorial and saw where you said you can color with copic markers on fabric and they won't bleed when washed. I have found that not to be true. Are you doing any special to keep them from bleeding when washed?"

This isn't a coloring on fabric tutorial, but since I mentioned it, and I don't want you guys to end up with ruined creations, here are my tips:
1. Use a fabric-safe ink (like Brilliance)
2. Heat set (Copic says you don't have to, but I always do)
3. Lay down a very light amount of color and allow it to seep to the edges of your stamped images, rather than coloring right up next to the line.
4. Be careful with reds and browns which sometimes will bleed when washed, because of the amount of pigment in those particular colors.
5. I also always use COLD water and hand-wash, if I'm at all leary about how something will come out.

Hope that's helpful!