Have you ever printed onto fabric from your home printer? I’ve had good luck with it, but every now and then I want to print something larger. Like the background for Carefree. At 51″ high, I needed an online service to handle it for me. I used Modernyardage.com and was happy with the results.
Recently I found myself with a credit at Spoonflower.com, another online printing service. Since I didn’t have a particular project in mind, I decided to do some experimenting. I prepared a large file that would cover an entire yard, 45″ wide. It was a good opportunity to experiment with various sizes, resolutions, and artistic effects. This is the file which included notations about each image.
And the printed result.
Let’s take a closer look. These next two images are exactly the same, except the second one has been printed on fabric.
Actually, I think the fabric version looks better in person.
Here’s a detail shot of the largest image, on which I had used the paint daubs artistic effect. (PSE)
And the printed result. It definitely lost some sharpness, but I think it would be useful for most projects.
And the cropped sideways image.
With its printed counterpart.
All in all, I’m pretty happy with these. Still, I think I’d be most inclined to use such printing services for things that didn’t have to be exact. Things that were already vintage or could look somewhat distressed.
FYI: I used the least expensive fabric ($17/yard), and the hand of the fabric is unchanged.
What do you think? Would you ever use something like this in your art?
Ellen Lindner
P.S. You can read more about how I made Carefree on my old blog. Check out December 2014.
Hmmm, maybe someday, I’m new to this part of quilting and we shall see where I go with it. I do appreciate your inquisitiveness and your sharing.
Hi Ingrid,
I’ve only used large photo printing like this for one project. But, it definitely has possibilities. And, of course, smaller versions are good for memory quilts, etc.
I don’t have the same kind of inner “vision” ability to choose something that specific. Also, for me – at this point – a large part of”what makes a quilt” is the piecing of lots of wonderful bits of fabric.
Hi Michele,
The great thing about the quilting community is that it has room for everyone: from needle turn appliquers to fusers, everyone respects everyone else’s approach. (At least that has been my experience.)
If piecing excites you then it’s definitely the way to go! I’m all for it.
This is great information! I have dyed my own fabrics and painted on them with dye, but never considered printing such a large piece. Thanks for posting this!
Hi Mary Frances,
If you have a great photo, you could also reproduce some of your one-of-a-kind fabric!
That was interesting, I have been thinking of trying out Spoonflower but haven’t done it yet. I quite liked the printed version that was a bit softer than the paint daubs photo. I think it would look great with some stitching on it.
Yes, Linda, there are lots of options with this sort of thing. And the price is right: about $17/yd. (Those prepared-for-printing sheets you can run through your computer cost about $3 each!)