Dollhouse DIY: Fabric printing tutorial

September 22nd, 2008
by Bellgirl

This week’s Dollhouse DIY is a tutorial on how to print your own fabric using an ink-jet printer. Next week I’ll show you how to sew your fabric into cushions.

Here’s Quince soaking up the spring sunshine while lounging against some home-made cushions.

I’m using an Australian commercial product called Premium (TM) Printable Fabric Sheets from www.accraft.com.au The fabric is white cotton, and is quite stiff- okay for cushions and capes, but not very pliable. Please note: it must be an ink-jet, not a laser printer.

1. Open a word processor document and insert some images. I’m leaving a white space around them for seam allowances. Do a test print on paper to check layout and colours ( I decided to skip that bit- *bzzzz* – and the document reformatted itself and removed my seam allowances!)

2. Set your printer settings to ‘Best’ print quality and ‘plain’ paper. Put the fabric sheet into your inkjet printer so that the image will print on the fabric side. Let the sheet dry for about ten minutes.

3. Peel away the paper backing. Rinse the sheet in a tub of cold water.

4. Lay the sheet flat on a towel to dry…and that’s it! The ink is set and can be washed gently by hand or in a machine.

Next week in Dollhouse DIY: How to sew dolly cushions, and cushion giveaway!