While bumping along on the internet, I came across the coolest bit of information. There is a company called Spoonflower that will print any design on fabric, wallpaper or wrapping paper. I was intrigued by one of their best selling ideas, making a custom tea towel from a cherished family recipe card. The entire process is relatively easy and they provide step-by-step instructions to create the design and then choose from many fabrics for printing.
So, I decided to try it out. Here are the steps which are also available at www.spoonflower.com Select Help from the main menu and then scroll down to “How to: Turn Handwritten Recipe Cards into Tea Towels video.
Three Basic Steps:
- Scan in your Recipe card and format using Photoshop.
- Select the Fabric, I used the 50% Cotton/50% Linen Cotton Canvas
- Finish the edges with a double hem using a sewing machine
You will need a computer, scanner, sewing machine, and scissors.
Step 1: Scan: Use your printer/scanner or go to Staples to scan your recipe card and save as a .jpeg file Use the highest resolution.
Format: Open your file in Photoshop or you can use a free software called PicMonkey to format your design in a few steps
– Select a background color for the edges
– Bring in the .jpeg file and format into the space giving your design a 1 inch border so the recipe does not get cut off at the edges.
– Adjust the design so it fills the space
– Save your design.
Step 2: Upload your design into Spoonflower
– Create an account and then upload and save your design.
– Choose the 50% Cotton / 50% Linen fabric for a Fat Quarter. Select 1 or more prints. 4 will fit on a yard.
Step 3: Finish the Tea Towel
– You will need to trim the tea towel to allow a 1” border on all sides. Press this border to the wrong side of the towel and then fold the edge in to give a 1/2” turned edge.
– Sew the edge close to the fold on all sides using your sewing machine.
Anything can be printed on the fabric. Think photos, hand drawings, just about anything. Be creative.
You can also purchase designs from other designers. This step does not involve anything more than scrolling through the designs, making your choice, choosing the size and fabric and then finishing once it arrives. This is a great way to get custom designs. I chose tea towels with calendars, a family favorite, and not always easy to find. It was fun and easy and arrived in about 5 business days.
The Spoonflower Handbook by Stephen Fraser is also available through your local library. Check it out.
