Quilt Patchwork Patterns

How do I transfer photo images to fabric for a quilt?

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1. Print them onto photo transfer paper (in reverse!) then iron onto fabric. You can get this iron transfer paper in stationers.
2. If you have the photos on your computer all you have to do is buy printable fabric sheets (Printed Treasures) from a quilt shop and print directly onto them. You then peel off the back and follow manufacturers instructions. There is no transferring. You use these sheets in your quilt. I use them to make my quilt labels.
3. You can also use Freezer paper...You just iron your fabric on to the freezer paper , and after the photo is transfered you just peel off the paper, I have done this several times and it works great!
4. One way is to use a product called Bubble Jet Set & Rinse. This treats fabric so that it can be run through your computer printer allowing you to put any design or picture on it. If done properly, the ink will not run and the image will be washable. Another way is to use Lazertran Silk decals. Again you print your image using a deskjet or laser printer. This is not really a decal. When heated the image fuses onto the fabric for a very durable finish. Finally, you can use dye sublimation printing. This also fuses images to the fabric. You need a special printer and inks, but you can hire companies to do this. Click on the links below for articles that explain each process more completely.
5. If you're only going to do a few photos, you can buy fabric sheets that are pre-treated and made to go through your inkjet printer. There are several brands, but my favorite is by Electric Quilt. Read the package before buying to make sure it will work in your project. Some are not machine washable, some need heat setting. This is NOT the same as fabric TRANSFER sheets, in which you print on special paper and then iron it onto the fabric. In my experience, iron on sheets do not last. They fade fairly quickly, and you have to be careful when ironing it to the fabric to avoid creases or stretched images. Iron on transfers are fine for t-shirts - I'd avoid them for quilts. If you're going to do a LOT of photos, it would be much less expensive to make your own fabric printer sheets. Buy Bubble Jet Set and Bubble Jet Rinse and treat your own fabric. Use a good quality plain fabric - white, if you want, cream if that goes better with your quilt. I like Kona Cotton. After treating the fabric, cut it into 8 1/2" x 11" pieces and iron it to freezer paper that was cut into 8 1/2" x 11 1/2" pieces. Fold the extra 1/2" of the freezer paper over the bottom edge of the fabric and iron it in place. This will help the fabric feed through the printer. When you're done, just peel the freezer paper off. Good luck - and check out the last link for some photo quilt inspirations.