Did you know you can transfer photos to fabric without using iron-on sheets? I love this technique. It’s simple to execute and the end results are really pretty.
It’s another method for hand printing! I made some fabrics the other day and used them to add pockets to one of my wool skirts. Do you want to learn to transfer photos to fabric? I thought so… Enjoy!
Supplies:
-fabric (I used white quilting cotton)
–gel medium
-paint brush
-a spray bottle filled with water
-the image you want to transfer
You can use *any* laser copied image or an image from a vintage magazine (that’s what I used) or newspaper. Remember that if your image has words on it, you will need to reverse it before copying as the words will print backwards.
1. Completely cover your image with gel medium. Use a heavy coat.
2. Press it onto a piece of fabric and let it dry for several hours or overnight.
3-4. After your image is completely dry, use a spray bottle to wet the top of the paper.
5. Rub the surface with your fingers until pieces of the paper start coming off. When pieces start coming up, your image will be revealed. Some pieces come up easily in clean strips and some are more time consuming to remove.
Be careful not to rub too hard as this can remove your transfer as well. Continue until all the paper is removed and the image is completely visible!
6. You’re done. If you want to display your fabric (for example if you are transferring to a canvas for your wall) you might want to add one more coat of gel medium to protect and seal your image.
Note: Don’t be alarmed if your transfer isn’t completely perfect. Some work better than others and you’ll learn a lot from experimenting on different surfaces! The final image is meant to be imperfect. Hand transferred fabric pieces should be considered “hand wash only.”
I would not put it into a washing machine. That’s one reason why I chose a wool skirt to add the pockets to, I would already hand wash this skirt.
Well, there you go! This method is so easy! I can’t wait to use it to make pillows, bows and canvas prints of our wedding photos!
Oh, and you can use this exact same method to transfer photos onto wood and many other surfaces. The possibilities are endless! Have fun creating…. xo. elsie
Hey! Thank you for this post. Very helpful. I have a question about if you can use images printed from an inkjet printer or if it has to be laser printer to use this method? Trying to buy a printer soon so want to make sure I get the right kind. Leaning towards inkjet.
Thanks!
G
Hi Gerald, You must use a laser printer for this project. I agree an inkjet is better for home use! For this project I recommend getting copies made locally (a copy machine like most businesses have works great)
Thank-you, Elsie!
I’ve been working on a little linen pillow for my grandsons 1st birthday and I think a little bitty image of momma and sibs might distract the eye from my lousy sewing skills…
I love your choice of images and your darling little pockets.
Is there any cheap alternative you can recommend in the uk for Gel?
HOW TO TRANSFER A PHOTO TO FABRIC
Can I do with image printed on inkjet printer?
Can you tell me if the fabric becomes stiff and thicker then when you first started. I did a transfer sheet on blue jean material and it was too thick to hand embroider. Thanks, Laura
I want to transfer pics of my husbands arrowhead s to fabric. How do i do that.
Thank you for a great explanation. I was looking online for a similar idea and really appreciate it the way you transfer the photo on fabric was an amazing thing and i learn alot .
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I was super excited to see the pic transferred to cotton fabric.thanx so much for the tutorial.
Dear Elsie , this technique is wonderful. I will be creating two different transfers that will go on separate quilts one is a ” Donor Quilt” and the other is a “Recipient Quilt” This is to show appreciation to donors and their families for Organ Donations that save lives. Through the Grace of God I have received a Liver
and a Kidney transplant in the past two years, Creating these transfers is my way to give thanks. Thank you so much for sharing this easy method for transferring. I am so anxious to try it out.
God Bless
Jim Harrington
Will this work for pillows too? I’m making a pillow for my best friend and i want to put a picture of when we were kids on it.
I tried this with wood as my material and it worked great! Thank you for posting this it was a great DIY project.
I have been wanting to do this on a scarf with the love letters my boyfriend sent me. But how would I do that with the words??
This is so AWESOME. Love great DIY Ideas that I find from here!
So cool! Any advice on laundering?
Wow, this is such an amazing idea! I must try it!
lovely idea,i try this at home with my kids…..
Amazing. Thank you soooooooooo much 🙂
Can u use midge podge for the gel medium?
Does this stay on even after you wash the fabric in the washer?
I just love this idea, I was wondering though do you put the picture facing the one you want to copy? The pictures you are showing are two different ones. Thanks for the idea and i will wait for answer.