Let’s Explore… photo transfer of images

Like all of our “Let’s Explore…” days, this is a day for us to play and learn from each other. No one person is “the teacher”.  The main idea is to have the opportunity to spend time with like-minded people doing the “arty textile things” we all enjoy!

Please feel free to bring whatever you want to work on if you don’t want to play around with photo transfer.

Transferred images can add layers of interest, mystery or texture to your work, and can be achieved in a variety of ways. There are many methods, and whole books have been written on the subject. Some simple methods include:

• Gel medium or gesso using an inkjet print
• PVA glue and magazine or newsprint images
• Fabric crayons (e.g. Crayola)

Many current Stitching and Beyond members have used image transfer in their work.

Ljilja has done a lot of photo transfer using a very simple method and suggests to bring the following if you want to give it a try.

• Inkjet photocopies (These can be drawn into before or after the transfer,  if desired.)  Black and white images with strong contrasts work better than coloured photocopies.  Coloured ones still work but look a bit faded, though that might be the effect you want.
• Golden Matte Medium, or Mod Podge  (for metal transfers Ljilja prefers Tiger Grip)
• Fabric – calico or white cotton.  Organza – light coloured.  Metal eg copper shim, aluminium can.
• A brayer if you have one
• Iron and a towel
• Spray bottle for water
• Scissors, drawing gear (optional)
• Magazines, other print to experiment 
• 2 garbage bags, one to protect your work surface and one to take home your rubbish
• Pen, pencil, notebook, masking tape, a newspaper – all those things you may find useful on the day!

Have you used any image transfer methods? For this day to be a success, please bring along previous experiments or samples to share any experience you have.

Haven’t done this before? Come along with what you have to explore. People are always generous and will help fill in the gaps of knowledge or materials.

What else to bring

• $15 fee payable on the day (you can do a direct transfer if you don’t have cash)

• your lunch (or cash to purchase lunch nearby), tea and/or coffee and a mug

Please note: non-members will need to join us to be covered by insurance.

Your inspiration

Joan Schulze was the first person to bring the idea of photo transfer to Tasmania in the 80s. Her quilts are created by combining photo-transfer processes and paint with the cottons and silks more commonly associated with quilt making. New processes lead her to new ideas, and new ideas lead to new processes, such as the alternative photographic processes she’s adapted for her own uses over the years.

Collage is Joan’s favourite way to think and work. Collect, cut up, layer, glue, paint, reposition, cut again, photograph, print, add, subtract—until the materials and ideas become something greater than the original impulse to begin.

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