Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I’m having a hard time finding six fabrics that move from light to dark in the same color family. What should I do?
A: Fabric choice is probably the most important factor for a successful portrait. It can be hard to find the perfect fabrics. I suggest checking with your local quilt shop for help, or check out online sites that post fabric swatches and order from there. My favorite fabrics to use are the Maywood Shadowplay fabrics found at www.maywoodstudio.com. Another fabric site I like is the Jenny Beyer Pallet from RJR Fabrics found at www.rjrfabrics.com. Moda Marbles work well, as well as any fabric that looks like a solid from a short distance.
If you're desperate for one more fabric, try a black or a very dark navy or brown as your first color. The first color typically portrays the deepest shadows of your portrait and usually the least obvious. Also you can often flip over the lightest color and use the “wrong side”. It is usually in the same color family and matches perfectly. Sometimes a white on white will work as the lightest, but be careful that it is not too stark in comparison to the rest of the portrait. If worse comes to worse, email me at juliannek@photofabrique.biz, and I’ll see what my local quilt shop has in stock. I know they carry the Maywood studio fabrics grouped specifically for this process.
Good Luck!
Q: Can I use Steam-a-Seam?
A: I prefer Trans-Web because it remains pliable after several layers. It does have to be sewn down or placed behind a frame. I’ve tried Steam-a-Seam once and found my portrait to be so stiff that it ruined it. There is also Lite Steam-a-Seam – I have not tried that yet. The only advantage I can see to using the Steam-a-Seam product is that it is a permanent bond, so it would be great for a no sew option. Experiment with scraps if in doubt.
Q: I want to make a portrait larger than the pattern you provide, and my local copy shop can’t enlarge such a large pattern. Can you make the pattern smaller?
A: Yes. I can make the pattern on regular 8 ½ x 11 paper which can easily be enlarged at the copy shop. Normally, my patterns are made approximately 12 x 18. If you need specific dimensions, I can do that too – for instance, if you need a square that is 12 x 12, just request the special size on your order form.
Q: What about copyrights?
A: Do not use a photo that is copyrighted without permission. Most portrait studios object to you making copies when your goal is to save money by using your home computer to distribute studio portraits, but will grant permission if you are using the photo in a quilt. If in doubt, ask the studio. Of course, photographs you take yourself are fine, but make sure they are of good quality, clear and sharp.
Q: Can I send you my photo by email?
A: Yes, but I must have the photo mailer sent to me for record keeping purposes before I can send your pattern. If you send an image electronically, it must be scanned at 300 dpi and saved in a .psd file format (Photo Shop file).
Q: My sister did a portrait and now I want to too, but I don’t have a quilt shop nearby that carries your pattern. Will you send me one?
A: I have patterns available for sale on my www.photofabrications.com website. Although I am happy to send you a pattern, I also recognize a great advantage in buying a pattern at your local quilt shop where you will have support in picking out fabrics and supplies.