Susan's Eclectic Art Projects (often with the help of Randy).

[Susan & Randy's Kate]

[Lynda Kamrath]

I have an Epson 7880 printer and have printed on many things, but never tried printing on fabric.  Do you buy rolls of cotton fabric and then run it through the printer?  Something else new to work on.  Maybe my project for the new year.

[Susan & Randy's Kate]

I have bought treated fabric sheets at hobby stores but they also have on Amazon.  They have rolls of silk or cotton at Dharma trading.  I have also bought fabric and treated it myself.  In that case you iron it on freezer paper and but in widths appropriate for your printer.  It sometimes helps if you notch the leading edge to help feed through the printer.  The easiest is to buy the prepared sheets.  They wash pretty well.  I have a quilt with family pictures on it.  I will take a picture and post it.  It is fun project.  I then use batting and fabric on the back and quilt on my machine by dropping the feed dogs.  Takes some experimenting.  Some of the new machines have systems to obtain more even stitches.  I have an older Pfaff that feeds from top and bottom so I have to put an embroidery presser foot that is sort of spring loaded and does not use the upper feeder system.  It is fun.  My last two Epson printers think they are out of ink when they are not.  Love to get mine fixed.

[Susan & Randy's Kate]

I don't know where you get your ink but I have found buying directly from Epson the cheapest.  When working with fabric I use the genuine ink.  Would love to find a work around for my printer because it is just the sensor that is faulty.

I think direct feed printers, rather than the kind that make a sharp turn, work the best for fabric.

[Susan & Randy's Kate]

I pieced and appliquéd this quilt and my husband and I went and rented a quilt machine and quilted this in one afternoon.  It does equal stitches based on how fast you move but you have to guide the stitches.  If you ever take a quilt class this is the most fun.  It is a kaleidoscope.  People  brought crazy material, black halloween with candy corn but it ended up so great.  It is fun to see what everyones quilt looks like when done.

[Susan & Randy's Kate]

This is a picture quilt with old family photos.  I think I used a sepia tone.  I don't remember them being this faded.  It has been in a closet for months.  Anyway, it is cotton, batting and polk a dot pinky fabric on the reverse side.  I used embroidery floss to tie the quilt.

[Linda and "Toby"]

What a nice heirloom quilt! 

[Susan & Randy's Kate]

I made a small art quilt from this photo but this was the original.  The oriole flew into our french door.  I took advantage and got some pictures while he was still stunned.  I was also keeping dogs at bay.  He eventually flew off.

[Linda and "Toby"]

What a beautiful bird! I'm glad he was ok. :) 

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Susan ~ I just went through this thread and wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed looking at all your truly wonderful photo quilting.  I have not quilted in years (I am spending too much time at the bridge table!!), but you have given me an incentive to at least make a small project before Christmas.  Thank you for that, and also for sharing your wonderful art.

[Susan & Randy's Kate]

It wants me to start quilting again.  My printer is down.  It made wonderful picture quilts but the heirloom quilt seemed to fade.  Some printers are pretty cheap so maybe I will get one.  Dharma Trading has a good article about Epson, Canon and Hewlett Packard printers.  I bought a wide format but a regular one would probably work for what i'm doing.  Thank you for the kind words.  It was so nice to raise $1000 for Alzheimers,

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

Susan, these are AMAZING!!!!! I attempted a doll quilt once and found it so challenging that I really admire anyone that has quilting talents. You have turned these into incredible works of art. 

[Susan & Randy's Kate]

Quilting is about the equipment.  I have taken a couple of classes with friends which was fun.  This site has great fun and info:  http://thequiltshow.com/daily-blog

Thank you for the kind words.