Citrasolv Photo Transfers

Last night at my quilt meeting I demonstrated how to transfer a photocopied image to fabric using a cleaning product called Citrasolv. Several of the ladies asked for written instructions, and so here they are:

1. Make Copy of Image: Find an image you would like to transfer. If you have words in the image you will need to print the image backwards (also referred to as a mirror image). The copy shop may be able to help you with this if you cannot do it on your computer.
Once you have your image, take it to your local copy shop to have the image color copied. It is VERY IMPORTANT to make sure the color copier they have uses TONER not ink. ONLY color copies made with TONER will work for this method. The ink from your ink jet printer will NOT transfer. (I learned this the hard and expensive way) I have read that Color Laser Prints also work for this method but I have not tried them as I don't have access to one.

2. Prep Fabric:

Once you have your copy made, wash, dry and iron your fabric. I have only tried cotton and silk organza. The image didn't show up very well on the organza but works beautifully on cotton. (I have read that you can also use this method to transfer images to paper, wood and metal.)

Tape the fabric on all sides to a flat surface - One that you don't mind getting wet with the cleaning product. I have found that my large square quilting ruler works very well. In the above photo I have used a piece of fabric slightly larger than the ruler and taped it to the back of the ruler giving me a larger work surface.

3. Transfer Image:

Place photocopied image onto fabric with image down and tape at least two corners down to keep the image from shifting while burnishing. Put Citrasolv onto cotton ball and rub over the top of the photocopy. As you apply the Citrasolv you will be able to see the image through the paper (as in the photo above.) To fully transfer the image rub over the image with the back of a spoon or other flat object (I forgot to do this last night, sorry). You can also rub across the top with the cotton ball but a hard surface transfers the image better. Burnish the image several times in different directions. You can lift a corner to peek at how well the image is transferring and gently rub places that need a little extra and then remove photocopy.

4. Set Image:Iron the image to set inks and then rinse Citrasolv out of the fabric.
You can enhance the colors of the image using
Prang colored pencils, paints and/or thread
as I did in my Price of Peace quilt:

NOTE:  I have discovered that you can use a colorless blender to set the transfer, keep the color from fading and make the piece washable as well!  (I have been using Jacquard textile colorless blender with great success)
Leave a comment or email me if you have any questions.