![Front of Preen inspired shorts](https://i0.wp.com/fabrickated.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014-06-17-05-50-50.jpg?resize=611%2C458)
My Preen Inspired shorts are finished! The style is not inspired by Preen – I don’t think they do a range of running shorts, although the duo design for Debenhams. And my fabric design is somewhat constrained by the cottage-industry approach of my production line. But I am thrilled to bits to be able to run around with my own peony photos on my pants. The colours are really vibrant.
![Back of Preen inspired shorts](https://i0.wp.com/fabrickated.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014-06-17-05-51-14.jpg?resize=611%2C458)
The shorts are lovely. But another of my experiments was not so nice. I used polycotton and the heat transfer inks which had been so successful with my Sewathon T-shirt. For this I had used a polyester jersey and had had stunning results. The colours were bright and the colour effects were better than I had hoped for.
![100 per cent synthetic](https://i0.wp.com/fabrickated.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014-06-13-15-26-12.jpg?resize=611%2C458)
I thought the polyester-cotton blend would be equally wonderful, but sadly not. I prepared the paper by producing a two-inch square grid, then coloured in each square with watered down transfer inks. I used the heat press to apply the ink to the polycotton. Unfortunately the brush strokes were evident, but not in a good way, and the colours were more muted. A disappointing result on the same night England lost to Uruguay.
![Looks like a Care Home curtain](https://i0.wp.com/fabrickated.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014-06-20-05-32-15.jpg?resize=611%2C458)
I also made some T-shirts with iron on transfers that I printed at Mary Ward Centre. Here I used the same set of photos of pixellated peonies but ran them off on the photocopier. The printing ink and a layer of shiny adhesive is also applied, this time to cotton fabric. It’s not the best effect ever, with a little bit of puckering and a high gloss finish. I wore one for yoga with my purple leggings and it looked nice and performed well.
![Centring the transfer on the T shirt](https://i0.wp.com/fabrickated.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014-06-16-10-22-52.jpg?resize=611%2C458)
![After cooling, carefully remove the backing](https://i0.wp.com/fabrickated.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014-06-16-10-10-21.jpg?resize=611%2C814)
![T shirts with iron on pixelated peonies](https://i0.wp.com/fabrickated.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014-06-16-10-44-00.jpg?resize=611%2C458)
My shorts pattern is developing well (this is the third iteration) – I have one or two developments left to work through!
Carolyn
Wow! I love what you have done with the printing here! The effect is quite sensational! I’ve never heard of this technique before and I’m intrigued. I also love the fantastic look you got with your running shirt. Such a vibrant and exciting design 🙂
Thank you so much for your kind comment on my blog 🙂