When I'm crafting with needle and thread, I like to add images printed on fabric- but using the pre-packaged sheets of printable fabric is expensive.
I thought I'd share an inexpensive way to print on fabric that I learned from Diane Knott.
Start with a package of full page size labels. These are Avery 48165. I bought a package of 10 at Wal-Mart for $4.44.
You'll also need some medium weight fabric to print on. I've had good luck with bedsheets and tablecloths purchased at estate sales.
Take the backing off a label sheet, exposing the sticky back.
Press the sticky side of the label to the fabric.
Turn over the label to the fabric side and smooth out any wrinkles. I've been able to smooth out most small wrinkles just by running my hand across the fabric.
You will have less wrinkles if you iron your fabric first and work on a hard surface...of course I was in too much of a hurry to do that, so I have some wrinkles- but that's ok, it all turns out fine in the end.
Trim the fabric around the label, so the fabric won't catch when it goes through the printer.
Put your fabric in your printer, making sure you know if your sheet needs to be fabric or paper side up.
...and start printing.
I've found depending on the fabric I'm using, I can re-use a stickly label up to 4 or 5 times, if I do my printing all at the same time.
I use an ink jet printer, and I've only used this method for "craft" printing- not for anything that is washable. I've heard that if you are going to wash your fabric, you might want to treat your fabric first with a product like Bubble Jet to set the ink.
I just printed these for an upcoming Back to School book page swap hosted by Michelle Geller. I've admired Michelle's handmade books for ages, so I'm excited to be in the swap.
I've sandwiched the printed fabric, a background fabric and fleece and I'm going to machine stitch them together and then hand embellish them...fourteen of them-and then I have to figure out what to do with the back....I better get busy.
Speaking of busy, I've added lots of new treasures to both my Etsy stores SugarPinkMoon and Gathering Dust.
Metal Stuff
Pretty Stuff
...and "low color" stuff.
