I've used various methods to make 1/12 scale "minis. It's so much fun to design my own fabric for those special creations, too. Here is how I use three methods to print computer images to fabric.

This example uses designing and printing a miniature quilt, but the process can be used for any fabric project of your choice.

First: Design an image of a quilt block. I use Corel Draw to design quilt blocks.
There are many other digital drawing and editing packages available. If you
have windows 95 the "Paint" program in the Accessories folder is one option.

Resize or resample to get the exact size, if necessary.

Here are 2 blocks I designed and used in the mini quilts shown. These blocks are
in the *.gif format. With a digital image editor you should be able to edit and color them. They are slightly larger than the ones I actually used in Corel. An easy way to practice is to right click your mouse then Save AS to your own
computer. Now use your image editor to add colors or resize. If you have problems do edit copy then load the windows accessories paint program and do edit paste.
 

This pattern has lots of potential depending on the colors used. It also looks nice with textured backgrounds for "color"		This pattern is a very common and simple quilt block. By using different colors and cloth it's a good choice.

Second: Use Copy and Paste Commands to build a "Quilt". With windows it is easy to
make exact duplicates of your "mini" quilt blocks. Unlike using a sewing machine, using
digital images is quite easy and very accurate. Each block will be an exact duplicate. If
you want to you can even make a border around the quilt using your computer, or your
can wait and use contrasting fabric for a border.

Third: Make the fabric transfer:

Methods to Use to make the fabric transfer:

There are actually many different ways to make fabric transfer for your digital mini quilt.
Here I will describe three ways I've used for quilts.

These work great with my color printer. Your results may vary depending on the printer and ink cartridge you use.

(This means we all have different computer systems, color cartridges and I can't
guarantee your results).

1. Cut a piece of freezer paper the same size or just a bit larger than a piece of your computer paper. I use Reynolds freezer paper, available in the paper plates, waxed
paper section of grocery stores and Walmart.

2. Cut a piece of fabric the same size. Light colored works best, but gingham or other small patterns could be used.

3. Put the wrong side of the fabric on the shiny side of the freezer paper and iron.
It just takes a few seconds, the wax shiny side will melt just enough to attach the paper
and make the fabric just stiff enough to go through the computer paper feed.

4. Now, double check, trim if necessary...make sure the paper/sheet is the same size as your computer paper, and make sure there are no loose strings or frayed ends showing.

5. Put this material in the printer tray with the fabric side facing where your printer will print. My printer prints on the "bottom" side, yours may or may not. Make sure the sheet is in straight and the stack of other regular computer paper is underneath.

6. Check your printer settings. You may want to use, if available, the Special Paper, or Transparency settings; the Highest Quality Output and Darkest Print Level, and if available...extra dry time settings.

7. Enjoy your cloth transfer.

Note: I set my printer settings to be Darkest, Presentation Quality, HP special paper..extra dry time or with my Epson I set to "Overhead Transparency."  Your printer settings may be different.

1. Follow the instructions that come with your computer  transfer paper.
2. Mirror image any text.
3. Use computer's best print quality.
4. With my printer I use a hot iron that has been preheated 7 minutes, dry not steam.
5. I DO NOT use an ironing board; I use a hard surface like a washing machine and aluminum foil. I iron about 30 to 40 seconds. Again, follow your printer manufacturer's recommendations. Be sure to "mirror image" any text using your computer graphics editor before printing on the transfer paper. The "Words" will then print just right when you iron the paper to the fabric.

6. Enjoy

Some Notes:

The "waxed paper transfers" are inexpensive but will NOT wash well. They, however, are very soft and drape nicely. The "t-shirt transfer paper transfers" are washable, but are a bit more expensive and the results are somewhat more stiff than most regular fabric. Some have said that you can spray the fabric of the waxed paper transfers with a fixative to make them more washable. I have never been able to make the freezer paper transfers actually "washable." I use the freezer paper method when I want an item to remain soft and don't plan to wash it.

I get my best printed output with Corel as I have it configured for my system. If you are using another painting/imaging editor you may want to save your files in the *.tif format for printing. Usually, the *.tif format provides a better printed output than does *.gif or *.jpg the two file formats used with web browsers.

Method THREE: Use Bubble Jet Set 2000 to pre treat 100 % cotton or silk fabric and then use the Freezer Paper Method to print.

With this method I get great, clear, vibrant colors that are permanent. The fabric, after washing is soft and drapes easily.  I follow the manufacturer's directions: pre treat my 100 % cotton or silk fabric for 5 minutes; let dry, use freezer paper method to print; I let the print dry according to the manufacturer's directions, then I gently wash in Bubble Jet Set Rinse and dry. The final item is soft and colors are permanent with my Epson Stylus Color 740.

Method Four: Use June Tailor Washable Colorfast fabric sheets

June Tailor's washable fabric sheets are sold at WalMart and many fabric stores. They have a special stiff backing that enables the sheets to be fed through the computer printer.  The results are excellent, with vibrant, clear colors.  After printed and dry, the backing is easily peeled off the fabric.

Notes on fabric printing for best results:

The quality of the print with be directly related to the quality of the image itself.  Gif images, found in clip art packages provide simple clear items.  For photographs, a dpi of at least 150 and the least compression possible will provide the best image.  The tiff format will give better printed output that the jpg.  Your image editing package will usually let you use a photograph imported as a jpg to be resaved as a tiff.

Test print on paper to see the color brightness/contrast before printing to fabric.  Often your computer monitor will display the image differently than the printer will actually print it.  If your image editor has a monitor gamma adjustment be sure to experiment with it to get the best printed output.

I use Paint Shop Pro v 7 and have been very satisfied with the price of the software and quality of images produced.
 

To learn more about this method check out my "Fantastic Finds" pages. I've included links to the product manufacturer if you'd like more information for your mini uses.

To see examples of some of the items I've made using fabric transfer methods follow here.