How to Use IOD Stamps and Transfers on Fabric

Did you know that you can use IOD stamps and transfers on fabric?

And while we love stamped pillow covers, there is SO much more you can do. Think upholstery, bedskirts, shower and window curtains, lampshades, tapestries, jackets, refashion clothes, caps and the list goes on!

Guidelines for stamping on fabric:

• Choose natural fabrics such as 100% cotton
• If possible, prewash the fabric before stamping
• You can use IOD inks or your favorite paint
• After stamping, let your piece dry for a minimum of 24 hours
• Heat set your ink or paint using a hot iron over your design before washing

Guidelines for using transfers on fabric:

• Apply a sealer on the fabric both BEFORE and AFTER applying your transfer
• Do not wash fabrics after the transfer is applied; it’s for decorative purposes only
• Keep in mind that this is off-label use and while it’s fun to experiment with, the results can be finicky!

All of the IOD products used in the projects shared below can be purchased through our dedicated team of stockists. To find your nearest local or online stockist, click here.

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Now, are you ready to try some IOD products on fabric?

Refashion Clothes and Apparel with No Sewing

Spring is always a good time to clean our your closet, but don’t throw out that old pair of jeans – upcycle and beautify them. IOD stamps mean super easy, no sew refashion for you!

While this might look like it requires advanced art skills, really it’s all about coloring in the lines. Little Painted Nest used the details in the IOD Pavo stamp as a guide to get beautiful results.

Vintage Retail Therapy decided to try the Birds Blossoms Branches stamp to give these jeans below a colorful boho vibe.

This idea from Rouge Boutique Decor is a quick fix and perfect for a beginner because she just used the Pavo and Butterflies stamps with black IOD ink. Check out her video tutorial here.

If you don’t want to permanently alter your clothes, make some DIY fabric appliques. You can sew them on, take them off, and swap them out as much as you like!

Watch how Carmen from Curious Farms Market makes “stamp and sew” appliques to personalize a satchel and a jean jacket.

You can even design your own cap with the Lady of Shallot stamp just like Little Painted Nest.

Handmade Baby Shower Gifts

Do you have a new baby joining your family or you want to make your own baby shower gift? Learn how to DIY these adorable baby onesies with the video tutorial below.

Why stop at baby bodysuits when you can also make adorable burp cloths to match like The Painted Heirloom did?

Here’s a few more takes on some sweet baby clothes you can make with the Farm Animals stamp.

DIY Home Decor on Fabric with IOD

Now, as you look around you home, you’re probably starting to see some spots that could use a little IOD love. From blank walls to lampshades to tea towels to furniture (and not just the wooden kind).

The Easiest Way to Makeover Upholstered Furniture

When most people think of furniture makeovers with IOD products, they immediately picture a wooden dresser, bookshelf or side table.

But there is so much more you can do once you learn how to use IOD decor products on fabrics. As you’ll see, stamps and transfers can work wonders on any upholstered surface.

Deb of Deb’s Design Diary recently created an epic piece of furniture you won’t want to miss! She first painted an old Victorian couch (yes, she PAINTED the fabric and all!) black. Then she applied a sealer and rubbed on a combination of IOD transfers. Finally, she coated the couch again with a sealer to protect the transfers.

Get ready to be amazed when you check out her complete how-to video below.

Want to give your dining room set a completely new look on the cheap?

Jami Ray Vintage shows you how to paint a dark wood chair and reupholster the seat cushion with a drop cloth that’s been embellished with the Cubano stamp.

Thinking you might want to stamp an entire upholstered chair? That’s just was Michelle at Serendipity House did and check out her gorgeous results. She used the Rose Toile stamp and black IOD ink.

You can think of upholstered chairs as blank canvases. They’re just waiting for you to make your mark just like on this pair shared by Ellen J. Goods below.

DIY Lampshades to Match Your Home Decor

Finished with your side table makeover? Don’t stop there – keep the inspiration going and make your own lampshade to accent that table.

Read about this workshop done by Rouge Boutique Decor in Romania to learn how to make and decorate your own lampshade. (Use Google Translate to see the post in English.) Or you can also watch this Facebook video to see each step in more detail.

Make Your Own Tapestry From a Drop Cloth

Do you have a blank wall in your house that’s just begging for a unique fabric wall hanging?

Or maybe you just need a creative way to dampen the sound in your house now that ALL your kids are home ALL the time. (Or is that just us?)

Tapestries are a great way to add style and warmth to your home but they can be pretty pricey. Rather than splurge on a fabric wall hanging, learn how to make your own using a drop cloth from Jami Ray Vintage.

In her video tutorial below, Jami and her husband make two beautiful Anthropologie-inspired tapestries. The first one is made using the Pavo stamp and features two detailed peacocks. In Jami’s second one, seen below, she uses the Wander transfer.

If farmhouse decor is more your style, check out how Curious Farms Market created a simple quilt that could be used as a baby blanket or a cozy wall hanging.

DIY Reusable Shopping Bags

With towns banning plastic shopping bags, reusable shoppers are popping up everywhere. You can buy a pack of plain cotton ones and stamp them yourself to show your signature style.

Gardenhouse Studio walks you through how to stamp bags that would be perfect to take to the farmers market!

If boho is more your style, you’ll love this eco-friendly bag inspiration using the IOD Bohemia stamp by Boutique Paint below.

And here’s another take on this ideas using First Gen stamp called Signage2 by Closetology.

If you prefer a dark colored reusable bag, get inspired by this one stamped with IOD Butterflies by Rouge Boutique Decor.

Make Your Own Tea Towels

Fancy people will call these tea towels, but in our house we use them to dry dishes – so we call them dish towels. Whatever you want to call them, having pretty ones make doing dishes a lot more fun.

Watch this video by The Painted Sisters to make farmhouse-inspired tea towels. But keep in mind that you can use any of the IOD stamps to make towels that match your personal home decor style.

DIY Pillow Covers

Don’t know how to quilt? Doesn’t matter if you use the First Gen IOD stamp Mosaico. Check out the video to see how Curious Farms Market creates a faux quilted pillow cover.

If you dig more of a floral style, you can also check out the video tutorial we made for holiday pillow covers. While we did a “Silent Night” theme, you can use your Typesetting stamp to make them say whatever suits your style.

If you’re looking for something to spruce up your front porch you can check out this stamped pillow cover tutorial by Penny’s Porch. In it you’ll learn how to make the pillow below using the Birds Blossoms Branches stamps.

Make Your Own Custom Curtains and Window Treatments

You can make your own curtains using drop cloths or you can go ‘no sew’ and buy a cheap set of plain curtains from a discount store. The magic happens when you use IOD to customize your window treatments.

Have you done any fabric projects with IOD stamps or transfers?

We hope this post inspires you to try a craft or decor project with IOD products and fabric. We can’t wait to see your beautiful creations so please share them with us on social media!