How did they make the photo quilt in the movie Stepmom?

Question

Specifically, what is the best printable fabric/ink solution. Is there somewhere I can send/email the photos and get them printed on fabric? I'd like to use the quilt everyday. Thank you!

Answer 1

There are essentially two ways - print the photos on iron on transfer paper, then iron them onto the fabric, or print the photos directly onto special fabric that has been treated to go through an inkjet printer.

Neither method is cheap, especially if you're doing a lot of photos. Iron on photos will wear and fade much faster, so I don't recommend it for quilts. For the special fabric, you can either buy pre-treated, pre-cut fabric sheets that have a paper backing, or you can make your own fabric sheets. If you buy the pre-treated, read the instructions carefully. Some are not washable, and some need to be heat set before they can be washed. You can get these sheets at most fabric and craft stores. See the link below for several options. Read the reviews of each to find out how well they work.

If you make your own fabric sheets, you still need to buy a product - Bubble Jet Set and Bubble Jet Rinse - but you can make more fabric at a lesser cost. Iron the fabric sheets onto a piece of freezer paper to make it go through your printer easier. You may want to fold the freezer paper slightly over the bottom edge of the fabric as well - it helps it go through the printer better.

Make sure your printer is an inkjet (laser printers don't work for this). Set your quality to the highest level possible - the more ink, the better the photo quality.

Answer 2

My mother-in-law uses a heavier white fabric for the quilt squares, prints the photos on iron-on transfer paper, and then irons them on after she sews the quilt top together. They look great. She just uses a regular HP Photo Printer for printing onto the transfer paper.

Answer 3

Check this website.
This guy makes incredible quilts and he may be able to help with the photo transfer.