Photo Fabric

I have a few projects on my mental 'to do' list that include transferring photos and pictures on to fabric,
so I thought I'd post a quick tutorial and recommendation to show how easily this can be done.  

[*whispers* it's magic].

I have used the same method since I was an early teen and made my own t-shirts
[mainly Take That ones]: The Dyon Image Maker:

I didn't understand how it worked then and I still don't really understand how it works now, but I can tell you that it has never let me down, the image stays in the wash [and gets better with age, if anything, as it looses its sheen and looks vintage] and this little tube of magic only costs £2.69.

Find an image of your choosing and either photocopy or print on to plain paper
- I found this amazing vintage photo online:

Cut to size and using a brush, cover with the image maker:

I used an acetate sheet to protect my surface and allow me to easily remove the image after coating:

Take your fabric surface that you want to transfer on to [I bought a £1 tote canvas bag from HobbyCraft that I will unpick and use as two large fat quarters] and protect the underside with something that will protect the rest of the fabric, your surface and to prevent the image maker from soaking through and place your image, image and image maker side down [I think that makes sense?]:

smooth the image down and remove any air bubble or creases.  If it helps, cover with a little kitchen towel and use a rolling pin to make sure the image is flattened and can adhere to the fabric:
Leave the image to dry for at least 5 hours - I left mine overnight.  For three days.  So organised.

Now, the scary part, removing the paper image.  Begin by taking a sponge [or flannel if you
don't have one, like me] and cold water, blotting the paper until soaked and then begin removing
with circular motions what will easily rub away:

Keep going, blot further with your sponge and water and remove the final layers - take your time,
but eventually the rest of the paper will remove:

I found as the transfer dried from the blotting, rubbing with my fingers helped remove the last
traces of paper easily.

Leave to dry and then seal the image in place by brushing a thin layer of the image maker
over the top and leave to dry [overnight again if you have time]:

It is recommended that you do not wash the item until at least 72 hours have passed, but as my fabric is not going to be used for clothing, it's ready to be used.  Hopefully I can show you what for soon.

See you next time x

Notes:

• A quick tip if you want to transfer anything with text, numbers or letters - the image maker reflects the image, so these will appear backwards - photocopy or print as a reversed copy to make sure that they transfer correctly.
• The colour of fabric that you choose will show through the image, so pick lighter colours if you want to keep the vibrancy of the image.  Darker colours will help if you are after a more faded, vintage look.
• I hand wash the fabric for piece of mind, but then it gets added in with all the other washing....and there you have it - your own image fabric, made with a photocopy or print out of whatever you like.   Perfect for personalisation of clothing, home accessories or to use to create your own fabric for something special.