African American Fabrics: How to Print Cotton Fabric on Your Computer

THIS IS A REPOST ON THE SUBJECT OF DIY PRINT YOUR OWN FABRIC.

Update:
last year I posted the post below about my "print your own fabric" quilt. Since then, I've played around with this process a lot and have much more to share. Here are a few tips about the process:

1. This process is for Inkjet Printers only. The are lots of other printers out there and they apply ink on paper (fabric) differently.
2. You will get varied results based on the printer you use. I have a Canon Pixma that can print great results. My HP  doesn't print as brilliant.
3. Check to see if your ink is "dye-base' or "pigment". You can call the manufacturer or google your ink. I prefer "dyed-based" because the image is penetrated on the fabric, as oppose to sitting on top of the fabric's surface like "pigment" (which can smear easy when heat setting).
4. I am finding myself using the "Bubble Jet Set" products more so than the ready to use Fabric Printing Sheets.  Basically you iron fabric on to freezer paper (sized to fit through your printer and print). With this method I am able to hand dye my fabrics before I print on them--Better results!!--If you use this method remember to pre-wash your fabric, before you iron it on the sheets.


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Talk about challenging myself- today, I started another quilt project and here's the work in progress. I used, once again, the combination of the printer fabric and my custom designed fabrics. But, then I pushed it further and painted the printer fabric before I ran it through the printer. If you click on the photo you can see the close up.
The area in the upper center painted in greens, blues and yellows with cowries shells is the area I painted. However after running it through the printer and heat setting the printed image on top of the painted sheet-- resulted in the printed image fading (must be some chemical reaction).
If you try this you will need to purchase some Arcylic Textile Meduim, and follow directions.

I am going to keep playing with this technique, I think I am on to something. If anyone can shed some light on this let me know.