A couple of years ago; I got this idea in my head after reading some image transfer techniques. I'm lazy; I wanted something easy and not have to go out to get an image printed somewhere else. And using what I had in my house.
I searched google to see if anyone had this idea before but I found nothing.
So I started experimenting.
This is a photo that I did back in March 2010. It's a black and white photograph of my Aunt from the 1940s. This was one of my first experiments that I did with Shout Stain remover. Yes, it works!
And another from the same years - of the dragon - both using my hand dyed fabrics. They are still in great shape as the day I transferred them.
I made a tutorial in case you would like to try this technique for your projects.
Ready?
I suggest making a few samples pieces first just to get the hang of it and experiment.
Supplies needed Background fabric (I suggest a light color) Burnishing tool (old credit card) Freezer paper Regular printing paper Paper or plastic cup Paint Brush (or I even tried Q-tips) Shout (stain remover) A black and white image - if you don't have your own image; you can get one from http://thegraphicsfairy.com/
A printer that uses dyed-based inks. If you have a printer with pigmented inks; this method will not work. For example: I use my old HP PSC 1400 series - my Epson has pigmented inks
1 - Print the image on white printing paper Cut around the images leaving a space all around. I suggest using a small sized image to practice. I printed my images 3" x 5" on regular printing paper
2 - Cut 2 pieces of freezer paper at least 2" larger than your image. (the bottom piece can be larger) Lay down the freezer paper shiny side down. This is done to ensure that the dye doesn't stain your table or whatever surface you are working on.
3 - Lay down your fabric - right side up - on top of the freezer paper. (I'm using fabric that I dyed naturally with Oak leaves and oak bark)
4 - Now lay down your image - right side down on top of the fabric. (make sure it's centered where you want it.
5 - Spray the Shout into a plastic cup - make sure that you have enough to cover the image.
6 - Dip the paintbrush into the shout but not too much as to make it puddle. (this will tear the paper and smudge if it's too much) Now with slightly hard dabs, cover the image with the paintbrush making sure that the whole image is covered. You might have to dip the brush back into the Shout again.
7 - Put the other piece of freezer paper on top of the image (shiny side down) I do this because it lessens the chance of the image paper tearing.
8 - This is the part that takes patience and practice. Use an old credit card (or AAA) as a burnishing tool and pressing down hard but gently - go back and forth over the image making sure that you burnish the entire image. Tip - hold down the paper with one hand so that nothing slides around. I start at the right side and work my way across.
9 - Then lift the paper off of the fabric
Please don't get upset or lose heart if the first one doesn't work. Like mine here---
You can see on the left side of the bottom wing - I missed a part!
Like I said before; it takes patience and practice but it does work.
Let the fabric dry and then with a warm to hot iron (no steam) go over the printed fabric on the wrong side. This is heat setting the dye. And it's ready for your project!
