Laminated fabrics are all the rage lately, and I love them for so many reasons. They are water-resistant, durable, and of course…shiny! Of course, they are a specialty item, and not every fabric that you love comes in a laminated version. So, what do you do?

Laminate your own fabric!

Lately, I’ve been taking this personalization a bit further, by designing my own fabric, and then laminating it- but that’s another blog post!

Here is some photo-guided instruction for how to laminate your own fabric…the sky’s the limit!  Read the whole thing before doing it yourself, there are some tips at the end!

Here’s what you need!

Step 1: Cut the vinyl to the size you need- it likes to curl, so you’ll need to use a weight.   I used “Heat ‘n Bond Iron-on Vinyl”- it comes in a 2 yard roll.

Step 2: Peel it! Lay your fabric-to-be-laminated on your ironing board  (of course, it’s easier to laminate a small piece of fabric- but these rulse apply for larger pieces too!)  Peel off the paper backing from the vinyl.

Step 3: Apply it! Smooth the vinyl onto the fabric, sticky side down.  Do this carefully and patiently.  If you get a bubble, simply lift the vinyl off gently and re-apply.  It’s best to get it right the first time, though.

Step 4: Fuse It!  Use the paper backing as a protective shield between your iron and the vinyl.  I also put a Teflon Pressing Sheet underneath my project so that I don’t laminate my ironing board.  Place your iron on the paper/vinyl/fabric/teflon sandwich in sections for 8 seconds at a time- if you have a press, this is A LOT easier.

Step 5:  Fuse It Again!  Turn your project over to the other side, so that the “wrong side” of the fabric is facing upward.  Once again, use the paper backing as a shield, and press in sections, this time for 4 seconds at a time.

VOILA!  You have a piece of laminated fabric!  Sew away!

Questions about what I wrote?  Put them in the comments, and I’ll update this post with info- thanks for reading!

Laminating FAQ:

What is a Teflon Pressing Sheet?  Well, first of all- IT’S MAGIC!  If you don’t have one, get one right now!  They are super heat resistant and easy to clean, plus they are reusable forever and ever.  They are wonderful for protecting your iron from glues that are on fusible stabilizers and interfacings…as well as anything else that ends up in your ironing area.  A Teflon Pressing Sheet does conduct heat, so be careful when handling one that you just pressed.  Oh, and if you’re getting one, just get two while you’re at it- then you can make a “teflon sandwich” to protect both your ironing board and your iron.  Oh, and to answer the question….It’s a pressing sheet made from Teflon.

Do I use steam when laminating fabric? No.  I think some manufacturers recommend removing water from your iron.  I did not- I just refrained from pressing the “steam button”

What if I threw my paper backing away?  Well, you didn’t read the whole blog post, or you got here a little late in the game.  Have no fear!  You can use another Teflon Pressing Sheet as your ironing shield or even a piece of smooth, heat-tolerant fabric.  Just make sure it’s flat and smooth, and that it can withstand the heat of your iron.

What if I got laminating-stuff on my iron?  You, my friend, need some iron cleaner.  Here’s how to rid your iron of jazz that should not be on it.