How to Transfer a Photo to Fabric

Someone dear to me lost her mother recently.

I wanted to give her a sentimental gift to honor her mom's memory.

I've always wanted to try 

transferring a photo to fabric

& this was the perfect occasion.

First Method:

 I tried this method from the blog A Beautiful Mess.

The photo is printed out on a computer &

coated with Liquitex super heavy gel medium

{purchased from Hobby Lobby}.

The photo is then placed face down on the fabric &

allowed to dry. After drying, the photo is spritzed with water

& the back layer of the paper is scratched off.

Elsie demonstrated this on a magazine photo & it looks great.

My paper was thicker & I did not like the results . . .

so, on to the . . . 

Second Method

Next,  I tried this method from the Pocket Full of Whimsey blog.

{I just love her beautiful pillow!}

Freezer paper is ironed onto a thin piece of fabric,

then the fabric-on-freezer-paper is run through a computer printer.

I liked this method much better.

My Epson printer was not as cooperative as I would like, though.

Even after cleaning the printer heads, 

I got some pretty unacceptable lines in the image . . . 

I'll try this again on another project though.

The third time's a charm so . . . 

Third Method

I remembered Christina at I Gotta Create making some

fun aprons  with photo transfer paper.

I wasn't able to find the same brand she uses, but Michael's did have . . .

I like that this is an iron-on product.

I just printed the image {on my friend's printer this time}

& it turned out great. Here it is in the center of the other two:

I ironed it on some fabric & made a pillow.

{If my high school sewing teacher is reading,

yes - I did try to line up my checks!}

I love the rick-rac - it gives it a fun retro vibe.

Here's the back . . .

I hope it will serve as a loving memorial 

of a beautiful mother.