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Q&A | Fabric Making
By Gena Bloemendaal
I want to make fabric with my dog's image on it to make into a bag. I've tried using iron-on transfer paper, but can't achieve the continuous pattern I need. How can I create the fabric? Is there a place that can print the fabric for me?
Emmie Kay B.,
e-mail
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Emmie Kay, I couldn't resist answering your question as it gives me opportunity to play around with pictures of my critters.
To achieve the fabric design you're after, I'd recommend steering clear of the traditional iron-on photo transfer methods (5). The transfer film doesn't always yield the best possible result. If you ruin one transfer on the fabric, it affects the entire piece. Transfers also crack and show wear after laundering.
Use products, such as Bubble Jet Set or pretreated fabric sheets, to print your image directly onto fabric using a standard ink-jet printer. If the printer can handle rolls of paper (for banners, etc.), purchase pretreated fabric by the roll and print "continuous" yardage. You're limited, however, to the width the printer accommodates. If your projects are small in scale, then this option is viable.
If you're savvy with digital editing programs, such as Photoshop, create a unique design in any size or color. Or try a program, such as Kaleidoscope Kreator, to turn your image into a multi-faceted pattern (6).
To go large-scale, consider outsourcing your design to be printed. A company like Advanced Digital Textiles can take your design and create a pattern repeat for you. They also scan large-scale artwork to incorporate into a fabric design.
Once you approve the final design, it's printed onto the final fabric using either direct digital printing or digital heat-transfer methods. The fabric is pre- and post-treated to ensure colorfastness, and the options are vast (everything from silk charmeuse to cotton twill to nylon Lycra).The plus here is that this particular company can print continuous yardage up to 132" wide. Learn more at advdigitaltextiles.com.
Suggested reading: Print Your Own Fabric by Linda Turner Griepentrog and Missy Shepler. Available at Amazon.com.
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