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/
Question If I print out my own fabric for quilting can I use colorfast white fabric to ensure washability. Will the ink be colorfast on storebought colorfast material or do I have to use a specially treated fabric made for this? Thanks.
Answer I do not understand what you mean by "colorfast white fabric".
Epson Durabrite inks are pretty much the only dependably water-resistant inks (so they are washable) being used in printers right now (although there is some effort being made by HP with 2 versions of a new ink to catch up to Durabrite) on untreated fabrics and virtually the ONLY lightfast (on fabric) ink being used in printers right now. Not all Epson printers use Durabrite inks, but a majority of those who are using inkjet prints for art purposes are buying the C-series Epson printers for that purpose. They retail for under $100, but often coupons make them about $69. The most current model is a C-88.
Epson Durabrite inks are pigment-based. Other inks, like those in HP printers are dye-based. To make dye-based inks water-resistant (but with NO effect on their lightfastness), you can soak (and dry flat) fabric in Bubble Jet Set 2000 solution (available in most fabric and quilting stores) before printing.
Regardless of ink type, it is important to "scour" fabric before printing in order to remove any invisible finishes and/or grime which may prevent their bonding with the ink - and thus getting a good print. To a washing machine medium load of 2-6 yards of fabric (to give you an idea of proportions), I use 1/2 cup Arm & Hammer washing soda and 2 teaspoons Dawn/Joy/Palmolive dishwashing liquid.
I always prepare my own fabrics for printing and do not purchase pre-treated fabrics.
