Photo quilts / printing on fabric
 

Hi everyone,

Well, after finishing my first quilt, I'm looking for another project to tackle. My grandmother's 85th birthday is coming up in late May and I would love to make her a lap quilt. I know it's something she would enjoy, especially if it contains mementos of her family.

I was looking online and saw a few quilts with pictures of family. It seems that it's possible to transfer an image on fabric and use it as a center of a block.

Has anyone tried this? The picture quality seems to vary wildly from one to the next... what do you think? Good, bad, ugly?

(Some examples found online)

http://0.tqn.com/d/quilting/1/0/V/i/...tory-Quilt.jpg

http://www.goosetracks.com/images/Marcia%20Quilt.jpg

http://www.photoquiltcreations.com/f...ed/IMG5567.JPG

I'd be looking at a simple quilt pattern like this, choosing lighter spring colours (her favorites).

http://img2.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.269836326.jpg

What's the consensus on printing pictures on fabric for quilting?

Thanks! :)

I think it would be a great idea. I have never done it, but have seen nice quilts with this done. Go for it.

I've made several photo memory quilts. I've had the best luck with Printed Treasures--no running & very little fading when the quilt is washed. The sharper your photos the better your end product will be. Sorry I can't help with brand of printer, but that would affect the final result also. Follow the directions in the package exactly and you should be happy with the final results.

BTW I like the quilt pattern you've chosen. It will showcase the photos nicely.

Please post pictures when you're done.

I've made a memory quilt with photo transfers for my parents' 50th anniversary in 1999. The photos are a bit faded now, and in retrospect, I would do something different. However, you have to take into consideration the change in technology in the last 13 years. I also made a memory quilt for my grandmother's 84th birthday, but I made one block for each member of the family using fans for the women and bowties for the men and labeling each one via embroidery with their birthdates. It is still a showpiece. Good luck with your choice and your project. Grandma's gonna love it no matter what you decide!

i've only put pictures on wall hangings because i didn't want the photo to fade in the wash

I have done a lotof memory quilts and wall hanging. I have used the t-shirt transfer sheets for a long time and now I really like the printed treasurer materal sheets. You use an ink-jet printer and follow the directions. They are fun to make also because it brings back a lot of memories Have done a qreen size quilt about 8 years ago and put about 60 pictures on it. Go for it and have a lot of fun

they won't last forever, but they are FUN for milestone celebrations. Printed treasures works the best for me and my HP printer!

I've made one recently and actually this week I'm making the other. These are memorial quilts for my grandmother and uncle to my mother and Aunt. I'll share what I have learned, the one for my mother is a table runner her choice of size and I did a four patch block. Hard to describe, It's made from batiks. I'll post pics this week I'm finishing up the hand quilting on it. My aunts I found a different version of a cathedral window block in a magazine and I'm designing one with that, she wanted a quilt 36x36 so no not huge. The largest pic will be 6" finished. you have to consider two things with picture quilts, size of the photo and use. Unless someone knows a better brand then what I'm using it still feels like paper...a flimsy paper but does not resemble or feel like a piece of fabric. So if your expecting it to be a snuggle blanket do smaller photos and more fabric. I'm not in front of the packages but I think I bought June Taylors. I do think they are great and love the final product. I liked the cream results better then the stark white and I made some pics black and white because some pics were from the 40's. I followed the directions and color fast treated them. Hope to see the finished result!

I made a memory quilt for my mil She really treasured that quilt, I went to a copy store and they wouldnt let me use my own paper so had to use whatever brand they sulied anyhow that quilt was washed once or twice a week as she had alz and it needed frequent washings When she passed the quilt was displayed at the funeral and looked as good as it did the day I gave it to her I can't show you a picture because her daughter asked me if it could be buried with her as it was her constant comanion

I've made a number of photo family quilts and I love them. Am into the 'thinking' stage right now for another one. Go for it!!

Someone one time mentioned a company that will print your pictures for something like $5 each on 8 inch squares..of course I can't find the notes I took about it at the time...Perhaps someone knows who I am talking about...Would love to make one

I made a quilt with pictures a few months ago. Here's the thread that details it. http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...s-t182141.html

my hubby made a great quilt it had his favorite book covers on fabric then he sashed it and charismah quilted it for him doing her usual great job. he gave it to the owner of the company who published his books uaed on the front. it was really a big hit at the open house in michigan in may. we learned alot making that quilt, first dont switch around on the fabric/paper we used colorfast from joanns as thats what was available in our area it was thicker than the june taylor and had a nice weight to it and it sewed better. between the printer ink and fabric its not a cheap quilt and you will make mistakes on your pics so have a bit extra and good luck.
carla m

There is a product called bubble set jet, you can buy online cheap that will make yards and yards of the material so you can print on. You just soak the fabric. When ready to use it its ready for you and just iron it to freezer paper. Same results as already done like the printed treasures, but makes yards verses 5 sheets. Alot cheaper for same look. I have made 4 quilts and none has faded in wash with this product, uses ink jet printer. Good luck

Sorry forgot to mention also I still have over half a bottle left after all those. good thing is ring out fabric and dump remaining back in bottle for next time. Great price at 20 a bottle for numerous amount of quilts. the extra money I saved went into buying ink lol.

I've only done one - for my son and his wife with their wedding pictures.... It is actually used quite a bit for naps and TV watching. Also, our 20-month old grandson love to look at the pictures and seems to recognize some of the folks in them. The photos are fading with each washing, but it will hopefully last a few more years....