I can barely sew a straight line, is Soft Scrap for me?
You bet! Each kit comes with complete instructions that take you step by step through the process. The Soft Scraptm process uses a technique we call Fusible Scraptm. This technique uses a fusible web material to glue all the elements of your Soft Scraptm together. To make your project more permanent, you can stitch around the outside of each piece. This can be done with an inexpensive sewing machine using either a straight stitch or a zig zag stitch. To give you an idea of how easy it is, Mike can even do it and he has to read the sewing machine manual each time he threads the machine. Back To top
What’s the difference between the pattern and the kit?
This pattern book is a 16 page booklet with detailed instructions, drawings, and complete patterns. With the pattern book, YOUR PICTURES and the other materials listed on the back, you can easily complete your Soft Scraptm. The booklet also includes design tips, layout ideas, color and fabric selection guides, computer photo tips, the use of scrapbooking tools and techniques with fabric and much more.
You get the complete 16 page pattern booklet with detailed instructions, drawings and complete patterns for the design shown on the cover as well as the additional designs shown on the back. You also get enough fusible web to use our Fusible Scraptm technique to assemble your project. And you also get two sheets of ink jet printable fabric.
As a part of the pattern booklet the “... and more” section features different techniques, special computer and sewing tips, and embellishment ideas. These ideas let you personalize your Soft Scraptm and take your project to the next level. Back To top
How do I select my pictures?
The pictures are what make your Soft Scrap reflect YOU. Any pictures will work, but pictures with bright colors and a reasonable amount of contrast tend to transfer better. Our process involves getting the pictures into the computer either with digital files or by scanning them, then printing them onto ink jet printable fabric. Select your pictures with a common theme or thread that will tie your Soft Scraptm together. Once the pictures are in your computer you can use your photo editing software to enhance and improve them. If you don’t want to work with the pictures yourself see the …and more section to find out how we can help you. Back To top
What about size and shape?
First of all shape. You can use any shape for your pictures you want and don’t limit your self to rectangles. Think about ovals or circles or stars or silhouettes.
Size is another matter. If you want the final product to be smaller than the original there is no problem. If, however, you want to enlarge the picture then the practical limit, with out loosing quality is about twice the original size. One last word about shape, taking a square picture (like a Polaroid snap shot) and turning it into a 4” X 6” picture means you either have to lose the top and bottom of the Polaroid or “clone” material to fill up the sides. Back To top
What other tools and supplies do I need?
On the back of each pattern is a complete list of fabric and tools, but typically you need fabric for the background, accent fabric for mattes or embellishments and thread. You need a way to cut the fabric and mattes. We found that a rotary cutter or a rotary paper cutter works extremely well once the fabric is fused to the fusible web. In fact with out Fusible Scraptm technique many traditional scrapbooking tools work well. You will also need a computer, ink jet printer and a basic sewing machine ideally with a ziz zag stitch. Back To top
How long does it take to make a kit?
The easy answer is … that depends. Typically a Soft Scraptm takes a longer to complete than a traditional scrap book page of the same size, but significantly shorter than traditional pieced quilt of the same size. Most people find they can complete their first Soft Scraptm kit in two or three evenings, after that the process goes much faster. Back To top
Am I limited to the design shown on the pattern jacket?
Absolutely not! The pattern jacket is a starting point. It might call for a 4” X 6” picture but the picture you want to use may look better cropped 5” X 5”. To give you flexibility you can change sizes and move elements around. Also our …and more section has a wide variety of embellishments that will personalize your Soft Scraptm. Each pattern also contains directions and patterns for at least two variations of the basic design. There is no limit to the finished size or the number of pictures you use. Back To top
How do I get the pictures on to the printable fabric?
There are a number of ways. In each kit we enclose two sheets special printable fabric. The fabric we use is Printed Treasurestm from Milliken. There are other manufacturers but we especially like the results from Printed Treasurestm. This fabric works with any ink jet printer. The fabric is designed to make the ink permanent without adding stiffness. Back To top
Will the pictures on fabric fade?
We would love to tell you that the pictures would last forever, however that would be a lie. Even commercial archive quality photos on special paper only have a published life of about 100 years. How long the photos will last depends on two things. First the ink and fabric you use. Again this is why we include Printed Treasures fabric because we found that it holds up well and we like the way it handles and sews. The second factor is how you treat the finished Soft Scraptm. If you hang the project in direct sunlight both the fabric and the photos will fade faster than if you display it out of direct sun. Likewise the more you wash the Soft Scraptm the faster the fabric and photos will fade. If you use other printable fabric be sure to check manufacturer’s instructions. Back To top
Can I wash my Soft Scrap?
Sure. Hand washing with mild detergent won’t hurt the fabric or the pictures. But don’t use heavy bleach. Frequent washing can fade both the fabric and the pictures.. Back To top
Can I use Iron-On transfer material?
Sure. Our kits include Printed Treasures fabric for use with an inkjet printer because we are very pleased with the results and there are millions of inkjet printers in the market place. There are a lot of Iron-On products available. Back To top
Where can I find the other tools and supplies?
Most of these items can be found in fabric stores, in craft stores with fabric or sewing departments and in Quilt stores. There are also catalog companies that specialize in sewing supplies as well as fabrics. Scrapbooking stores are great resources for tools and embellishments. Also check the web. Back To top
Can I use a laser printer?
With special paper, yes! BUT DON’T PUT THE PRINTED TREASURES IN YOUR LASER PRINTER OR A COPIER. There are products designed to work in laser printers and copiers. Since both a laser printer and a copier use heat to fix the ink (that’s why copies are warm to the touch) special material must be used. Contact the printer or copier manufacturer to find out what they recommend. Back To top
What if I don’t have a computer or don’t want to print the photos myself. Can you help?
Some people don’t want to mess with the computer or don’t feel they have the right skills or tools. One of our “and more” services is working with your pictures. Mike will take your pictures, digital or film and transfer them to Printed Treasures fabric. He can re-size them, crop them, and actually enhance them. Mike uses some special techniques to bring out the detail and sharpen your photos so they really pop out on the fabric. We can also restore old or damaged photos. Typically this process takes 5 to 10 working days plus shipping. Pricing for these services are shown on the …and more part of the web site. Back To top
If we transfer your photos what formats can be used?
You can use anything you want. If you want us to help with the photos we can take digital files over the internet and files off CD or DVD. We can handle film based or printed material in any reasonable size but can only print it up to 8 ½ X 11” (that the limit of the Printed Treasures material). The bigger the original pictures (either file size or physical dimensions of the print) the better the finished product. Likewise, the sharper and brighter the original picture the better the transfer will turn out. Back To top
I have a number of old family photos, some are in bad shape, can you help restore them?
Mike can do some amazing things with old photos. He restored all the photos in the Lola quilt shown on the web site. Some of those pictures were over 100 years old and were in very bad shape. He was able to bring out details, create a uniform sepia tone on everything and repair scratches, tears, waters pots, and fading. Restoration and colorization is a tricky process. Again see the “and more” section of the web site.
Do you do anything to the original photo?
Absolutely not! If it is a digital file we make a copy of the file and work from that. If it is a print, we scan the print into our system on a high-resolution scanner and never touch the print again. We will only accept photos that are not framed. In other words we want you to take them out of the frame and send them to us. We will scan them and return them just as we receive them. Back To top
What if I want to do something special to a photo … like change the back ground, or colorize it?
Again, Mike is the expert. He’ll work with you to get any effect you want on your pictures. He even took a picture of me, made me 20 lbs. thinner and got rid of my wrinkles. I looked GOOD, but I won’t let him put it on the web site … I believe in truth in advertising! Back To top
How will I know I like the Restoration, colorization and special effects?
Restoration, colorization and enhancements are tricky. What we think looks good, you may not like. Our prime goal is to satisfy you, if you’re not satisfied with what we do with your restorations, colorization and/or special effects you pay nothing except shipping and postage. Here’s how we handle a special project. You send us your material with detailed instructions of what you want us to do and your credit card information. We will charge your credit card for $12.00 to cover all the shipping and handling related to this job.
After we’ve looked at the material we’ll call or email you with any questions and an estimate of costs. Costs are based solely on how much time it will take to create your vision. If you want us to go ahead, we’ll process your photos and either email or mail you a proof. We will also return your original material. If you love it we’ll go ahead and print it on fabric, send you the final version, and charge your credit card for the estimate we agreed upon. If you want further changes we’ll work with you. If you don’t want to go any farther it only has cost you the $12.00 for shipping and handling. Back To top
