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: 12/14/2006 Subject: family photo quilt
Question Connie
I want to have a family photo quilt made. I've seen your note on printing with Epson's pigment-based ink. Is there a special type of quilt fabric that should be used.
Has anyone set up a business to print on quilt fabric that you know off in the Chicago area?
rob
Answer When using Epson Durabrite ink, simple 100% cotton fabric, routinely used for quilts, would be the perfect choice for your quilt.
The most important thing to do is to wash the fabric well in order to remove all invisible surface grime and finishes that could prevent bonding of the ink.
Once washed and dried, it is ironed to freezer paper, and the fabric and freezer paper "sandwich" can then be trimmed to 8 1/4" x 11". Then tape along the top edge of the fabric-freezer paper to a piece of 8 1/2" x 11" cardstock, to guarantee no problems feeding into the printer.
This is easy to do yourself, if you have an Epson printer which uses Durabrite ink (not all Epsons do), but if you want to find someone to do it for you, you might try calling quilt shops in your area.
