AboutConnie Hester Expertise Quilting and applique expert.Can advise on the following topics:quilting, art quilts, quilt design and construction, machine and hand quilting, paper foundation piecing, machine piecing, hand piecing, raw edge applique, turned-edge applique and fiber art.
Experience Winning awards in international fiber and art competitions since 1983; http://www.conniehester.com/
BS,MS
See my work and books at http://www.conniehester.com/
Expert: Connie Hester Date: 11/15/2006 Subject: Pictures from Bubble Jet
Question I have just completed a quilt with several pictures on it using Bubble Jet. After completing the quilt I read I have one of HP Inkjets that are not recommended. I tried washing a sample square I had and it almost completly washed out. I tried to heat set it with my iron but I don't think this is going to help either. I read your response regarding giving the picture a quick spray with a clear spray acrylic when using Epson's Durabrite ink. Could this possibly work for me or do you have any other suggestions I am desperate.
Thanks
Tonya Nielsen
Answer None of the HP printers is "recommended" because none of their inks are *lightfast* on fabric. Using Bubble Jet Set will make HP dye-based ink prints *water-resistant* (but NOT lightfast), but first the fabric must be "scoured" with washing soda and a little Joy/Palmolive/Dawn dishwashing liquid in order to remove any invisible surface grime or finishes which will prevent bonding of the ink to the fabric. (Check previous replies to "printing on fabric" questions to me.) I'm thinking you may have omitted this step.
Indeed, heat setting will have no effect on "setting" the HP ink since it is not a heat-sensitive paint.
Clear spray paint (either acrylic or enamel) can be used to prevent rubbing an Epson Durabrite printed image off of the surface of the fabric, where the Durabrite pigment-based inks bond to the fabric.
If it were me, I would mask off the photos and spray VERY lightly with something like Krylon clear spray paint. This will not make it lightfast, though (nor will any of the UV sprays which I have experimented with). It will need to be kept out of direct natural and artificial light. I would not plan to wash it either.
If the quilt is not too large, hanging it behind a sheet of plexiglass will help a lot to retard fading from exposure to light. Be sure to position the plexiglass so that it does not touch the surface of the quilt.
I truly sympathize. I've had enough disasters of my own for various reasons over the years. I think it can be saved, however, by following my suggestions.
