How to Transfer a Photo to a Quilt

Quilt fabric selection is vast.

Photographs add a personalized touch to a handmade quilt by utilizing a digitized version of one or more of your favorite pictures. Black and white photographs deliver a striking contrast to a quilt constructed of primary colors, and color photographs can be coordinated with a wide selection of quilting fabrics. A quilted throw featuring memorable photographs can commemorate a special occasion or vacation trip---whether decorating the back of the living room sofa or used as a lap blanket.

Things You'll Need

• Photographs
• Computer
• Ink jet printer
• Scanner
• Freezer paper
• 3 yards white muslin fabric
• Assorted cotton fabrics totaling 2 yards
• 2 yards quilt batting
• Thread
• Quilt hoop
• Safety pins
• Scissors
• Quilt needles size 9
• Iron

Instructions

1. Scan photographs into your computer.

2. Cut sheets of freezer paper to 11 inches by 8 1/2 inches. Cut the white muslin to the same size and iron to the waxy side of the freezer paper. Make sure no threads are loose on the muslin edges, or they will clog the printer.

3. Size the digitized photographs to 4 inches by 4 inches. Print the photos on the muslin paper and cut the muslin around the photographs adding 3/4 inch to each edge. The cut squares should measure 5 1/2 inches by 5 1/2 inches.

4. Cut assorted quilting fabric into 5 1/2 inch by 5 1/2 inch squares, totaling 80 squares, including the photograph squares. To assemble the quilt, sew two squares together, then two more. Sew those together to make one large square of four small squares. Sew together four four-squares and two two-squares to make a quilt measuring 50 inches by 40 inches.

5. Cut the remaining white muslin to the same size as finished quilt top, which will measure 50 inches by 40 inches. Layer the quilt back, the batting and the quilt top and use the quilt hoop to secure the three layers, pinning the layered quilt edges with the safety pins. Stitch through all three layers of the quilt at the seams of the fabric squares, beginning in the middle and moving toward the edges.

6. To finish the quilt edges, trim the edges evenly and fold and tuck the muslin over the batting and under the quilt top half an inch. Fold the quilt top half an inch under at the edge and, using small stitches, stitch around the entire edge of the quilt to secure it.

Tips & Warnings

• A border of coordinating fabric can be used to enlarge the size of your quilt.