Usually one starts by printing pictures on printable fabric. Unless you are just copying the picture on to the fabric, you will be using some sort of software. That software can be as advanced as Adobe or as simple as Word..
I use software because I seldom print pictures as is. Usually the quilter want the picture cropped. For example, one picture was of a farm with the grandparents standing together in front. That was a great picture. But, the quilters wanted the focus to be of the grandparents and not of the farm, per se. Thus, crop!
Sometimes colors need restoration. There are a myriad of reasons to edit a picture before printing it.
So, while you've got it in the software [Adobe, Word, etc.] add words in a clear font and move it to an area of the picture that will not distract from the picture's focus.
Since pictures are of various sizes, there is usually white space around it, before the seam allowance, to make the pictures a uniform size, which is ideal for quilting. That white space is a great place to put a title. An example would be "Uncle Henry & Aunt Frannie Smith, 1915"
That way the owner will know and remember the people, as will generations later.
An Alternative: The Label
An alternative could easily be adding the names to the label on the back of the quilt.
This technique would definitely not detract from the pictures or quilt top, but would make association of the names and pictures more difficult.
A Service
Photo Transfer with cropping, adjusting, and words is a service that Forever In Stitches provides. Do it with us and you'll be a pro!
We also offer this as a talk to clubs, guilds, etc.
