Custom fabric printing is far more accessible to the average home sewer than in years past. With the services available these days, you can create your own design, upload it to a website, and have it printed on fabric without paying hefty setup fees or ordering mass quantities. The two printers catering to home sewers and crafters in North America-Spoonflower (Spoonflower.com) and Fabric On Demand (FabricOnDemand.com)-make it easier than ever to design and manufacture yardage of your own fabric prints.

Start with a photo, a digital illustration, a fabric scrap, hand-written text, or even a drawing or paper collage, and create unique designs you’d never find in a store. All you need is a clear idea for a design-or a willingness to experiment-a computer, and Internet access, and you’re ready to get started.

In this article by from Threads #165, Associate Editor Stephani Miller explains what you need to know about preparing images and working with custom fabric printers, and shares helpful advice from experts on making designs from scratch.