Pictures? Perfect Photo-Transfer Techniques Allow You To Incorporate The Family Into Home Decor

Pictures are no longer simply to be framed, placed on walls or in shoeboxes — or even scrapbooks.

Pictures have always been a way of viewing and reviewing our lives, bringing our past into our present and preserving them for the future. Now, by transferring their images onto fabric, they also decorate such essentials of life as neckties, mouse pads, quilts, tote bags and pillows. They connect us to our fondest memories, our family’s ancestry and our hopes for the future.

The rise in popularity of photo transferring comes with advances in the technique itself, said Larry McCauley, co-owner of Pacific Crescent Quilting, 7454 N. Division. “The technology is growing all the time; it’s exactly the same as the sewing machine technology.”

Popularity of the photo-to-fabric fad was probably boosted with the movie “Stepmom,” with Susan Sarandon and Julia Roberts.

Even though do-it-yourself picture projects are all the rage right now, the concept has been around for a while. Ami Simms’ 1993 book, “Creating Scrapbook Quilts,” was one of the first books to popularize photo quilting, and her newest book, “Fun Photo-Quilts & Crafts,” appeals to audiences outside the traditional sewing circle.

Linda Hunt began to adorn her life with pictures on fabric in 1992. The Chattaroy resident’s first photo quilt project was made with a gummy resin and a “rub, rub, rub” technique that left a colorful but very stiff image on fabric. Since the advent of copyable photo-transfer paper, Hunt has been “stitched” to her pictures. Her interest in photos intertwines with her love of genealogy, which led her to create numerous treasures commemorating her ancestors. And in the process, provides heirlooms for her children and grandchildren.

Hunt has created quilts and pillows for family and friends, as well as book totes for her grandchildren in New Hampshire.

The totes are made of brightly colored fabric; white pockets on the front feature an endearing photo of the children. Grandma Linda has put favorite storybooks in the totes, and she’s recording tapes of her reading the stories.

There is one problem with Hunt’s projects. She finds them extremely hard to give as gifts. “I made one for a family reunion, and I liked it so much I couldn’t give it up,” she said “I had to make another one.”

Non-quilters fear not. Pre-made canvas aprons or tote bags make great direct-transfer projects. Or a simple fabric square can be sewn on, bordered with a ribbon or cord. Embellish it with fancy buttons or other meaningful objects, like a child’s first hair ribbon, and the effect is entirely personal.

Photo transfer paper is easy to find in formats suitable for inkjet printers or color laser copiers. Black-and-white copiers are too hot for the paper, so even black-andwhite photos must be reproduced on color copiers. Some copy centers sell the paper by the sheet, which costs a minimum $3.50. While this might seem expensive, several photos fit on one standard-sized sheet; copy centers can enlarge or reduce the photos to customer specification.

Once the image is copied onto the special paper, all you need to get started is an iron and fabric. Hunt recommends using fabric with a high thread count, 200 or above. The experts at Pacific Crescent Quilting also recommend using non-patterned, light-colored fabric with a high thread count.

Hunt uses fabric quilt labels with pretty borders as “frames” for her photos. The result is a polished and attractive look, with several squares that coordinate without being identical.

Her grandparents emerge through flowering garden arches, and her granddaughter smiles through a ring of vines and delicate blue flowers. The only real limit to design lies within a person’s style and imagination, Hunt said.

“Fussy cut” is quilters lingo for cutting out a small piece of fabric or an interesting design.

Embellishments are laid on the paper with the photo, and copied as a unit to the photo-transfer paper. Computerized lettering can be transferred as a caption, or to date the work.

Hunt’s suggests keeping the surrounding design simple. Busy backgrounds take away from the picture.

And keep in mind the intended use of your project. “I haven’t made a full-sized quilt because I hate the thought of people sitting all over it,” she said.

Whether the end goal is usability or decoration, any project that includes a special photo can’t help but become a scrapbook worth a thousand memories.

“You add your own inner-being into that quilt,” said McCauley of Pacific Crescent Quilting. And that is a treasure worth passing on to your children.

This sidebar appeared with the story: DECORATING Tips from the pros

Linda Hunt and Larry McCauley offer this advice for successful photo transfers:

* You can print directly from an inkjet printer to fabric, but the ink can run or fade quickly with washing. Photo transfer paper provides a much more permanent image.

* Before ironing, decide how the photo will be used, which will help you gauge the seam allowance.

* When transferring the image, use a lot of pressure and move the iron. Lower the ironing board so gravity can help you apply the proper pressure.

* Do not pre-wash the fabric.

* Avoid mixing color and black-and-white photos on a single copy. Colors alter the hue of the black-and-white copy. If possible, test by making a small extra image.

* Copy the pictures in mirror image, so lettering will be readable when you iron it on.

* When you finish ironing, lift one corner to ensure that the image has completely transferred. If it hasn’t, it’s back to the ironing board.

* Linda Hunt will teach a photo transfer workshop in the spring through the Institute for Extended Learning. To register, call IEL at 533-3770.