Hi!
Hopping straight to the questions I have -- explanation of why follows for those interested in reading the rest of the message --
- What is *the* way to set pigma pen ink? Do I need to prep the material (most likely simple muslin) etc? I have been using these same pigma pens on HUG blocks for ages and have just "ironed" the blocks to "heat set" the ink previously. However, in trying something out a few weeks ago, I ironed the inked fabric, let it cool, and then vigorously handwashed it in hot water with dish soap and noticed fading in the writing. HELP!
- I am a complete novice in phototransferring (in this case, color photos). How is it done? What are the best recommended products to use? Is a particular type of printer better to do it with? What do I tell the people at a copy place if I need to have them do it? Again, the mostly like fabric to receive the transfer is basic muslin.
Okay, those are the questions and what follows is now the
Explanation: Recently confronted with two of my 6 cousins marrying (one last weekend, at the last minute practically, and the other in next few weeks) I had to come up with *something* to do as a wedding gift that I could continue on as the others come to that event in their lives (I'm the oldest of that generation on that side of the family and heavens to betsy if the gifts aren't pretty level and the age span goes on and on, etc. anyway, trust me when I say I *had* to choose to do something consistent).
My idea (already in motion so no going back) is to have the interested guests write a short message to the bride and groom, pass it on to me, and then I re-write the messages on fabric and create, as I put it in my explanation to the guests, a quilted gift of love (worded such because the amount of messages will vary widely among the different cousins' weddings and thus the quilted gifts of love could range from wall hangings to full quilts, etc).
I typed and copied forms up, pre-addressed envelopes with my address, etc. At last weekend's wedding I got the groom's sister to assist by handing out information to the guests who were't in my family because I knew none of those people. I'm not even trying to keep this a secret from the cousins because that would just be more hassle than it is worth. This past wedding was very small (*maybe* 45 people), the next one is probably going to be very large comparably (I've heard upwards of 200 invitees). I've given the guests a one-month-from-the-wedding deadline to return the things to me.
I figure this way, my pigma pens stay safe, I'm not carting around fabric, etc. to all these events -- and I can space out the messages as appropriate at the time of construction instead of being stuck with a set pre-cut square of fabric. I want to make sure it will be something that LASTS with the messages on it but can still be cleaned. (embroidery not an option)
The recent wedding will most likely be a wall hanging. To the best of my knowledge, I was the only person properly positioned to get a picture of the newly married couple coming "back up the aisle" (outdoor wedding but still, the portion of the ceremony that would have been considered that) and I want to use one of them (digital currently) as the center of their WH and have the messages written around the photo. Even the person videotaping the wedding wasn't able to catch that as I was -- he was behind them.
The upcoming wedding will probably result in either multiple WHs or an actual quilt (heaven help me, a project as yet unattempted by me) and probably no pictures transferred (too large a project as it is)
So, that's why I needed to ask those questions.....the final gifts in all cases are intended to be basic muslin (for photos, messages, etc. as deemed appropriate) and the other fabrics involved for sashing or relief will be the couple's wedding colors. As I get into construction (after these other questions/issues are taken care of) you'll be hearing from me with questions about batting, backing, etc.
TIA, Tricia