Have you ever wanted to create your own custom printed fabric? I’ve been having so much fun experimenting with my xTool Apparel Printer Plus, and I couldn’t wait to try something a little different!
Instead of making another T-shirt or tote bag, I decided to use DTF to create my own fabric for a collection of vintage-inspired Christmas ornaments. And I have to say, I’m loving how these are turning out!
How to Print Your Own Fabric with DTF: DIY Vintage Christmas Ornaments
For this project, I designed a nostalgic Santa with a coordinating Christmas print for the back. Then I used the xTool Apparel Printer Plus to print my designs and the xTool WonderPress to cure and apply the transfers to plain fabric. Once the fabric was ready, I sewed and stuffed the pieces to create an adorable vintage-style ornament.
I’ll walk you through the entire process, including how to create your own printed fabric with DTF, how to use the WonderPress without the Shaker Oven, and how to turn your printed fabric into a dimensional Christmas ornament.
Let’s get started!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase through my links at no additional cost to you. The xTool Apparel Printer Plus and xTool WonderPress featured in this project were provided to me by xTool. As always, all opinions and project ideas are my own.
Can You Print Your Own Fabric with DTF?
Yes! While DTF, or Direct-to-Film printing, is commonly used for decorating T-shirts, sweatshirts, tote bags, and other apparel, you can also use it to create custom printed fabric for sewing and craft projects.
Instead of searching for fabric with the perfect design, you can print your own artwork and transfer it onto compatible fabric using DTF.
That’s exactly what I’m doing with these Christmas ornaments!
I wanted a nostalgic, vintage Christmas look with plenty of detail, and DTF gave me the freedom to create the artwork I wanted without being limited to commercially available fabric prints.
For this project, I created a Santa design for the front of the ornament and a coordinating Christmas print for the back. Both pieces include a printed sewing guide to make assembly easier.
Using the xTool Apparel Printer Plus and WonderPress
I’m using my xTool Apparel Printer Plus to print the DTF transfers and the xTool WonderPress to cure and press them.
One thing I really appreciate about this setup is that I can complete the DTF process without adding the xTool Shaker Oven.
Instead of using an automated powder shaker, I’m applying the DTF adhesive powder manually and using the WonderPress for curing and heat pressing.
The Shaker Oven can automate those steps, but it isn’t required to create finished DTF products. For anyone considering DTF for a small business, having the option to start with the Apparel Printer Plus and WonderPress can help keep the initial equipment investment lower.
And as you’ll see with these ornaments, DTF opens up creative possibilities beyond apparel!
Supplies Needed
- xTool Apparel Printer Plus
- xTool WonderPress
- xTool DTF film
- xTool DTF adhesive powder
- Plain cotton fabric – I’m using muslin
- Vintage Christmas ornament designs
- Sewing machine
- Coordinating thread
- Fabric scissors
- Polyester fiberfill
- Ribbon, twine, or cord for hanging
- Sewing clips or pins
- Hand-sewing needle – optional
- Teflon sheet or parchment paper for an optional finishing press
How to Print Your Own Fabric with DTF
Step 1: Prepare Your Ornament Designs
Start by preparing the artwork you want to print onto your fabric.
For my ornaments, I designed a vintage-inspired Santa for the front and a coordinating Christmas pattern for the back.
You’ll notice that each design has a black outline around the ornament shape. This is intentional! The outline serves as a sewing guide and helps me keep the shape consistent when assembling the ornament. I’ll be sewing slightly inside that line, so it will be hidden inside the finished seam.
I also included extra fabric around the design to allow room for cutting, sewing, and turning the ornament.
Step 2: Print the Designs with the xTool Apparel Printer Plus
Next, open your artwork in xTool Studio and prepare it for DTF printing.
Once everything is positioned and ready, send the designs to the xTool Apparel Printer Plus.
One of the things I love about this printer is how well it captures fine details. My Santa design has lots of little elements, including his face, beard, fur trim, holly, and presents.
The coordinating back is just as detailed, with traditional Christmas elements that complement the vintage artwork. I’m really impressed with how beautifully the printer reproduces these details!
Step 3: Apply the DTF Adhesive Powder
Since I’m not using the xTool Shaker Oven, I’m applying the xTool DTF adhesive powder manually.
Working in a suitable, well-ventilated area and following the adhesive powder’s safety instructions, place the freshly printed transfer in a tray or container.
- Apply the adhesive powder over the printed areas, making sure the wet ink is evenly coated.
- Gently move the powder across the transfer, then carefully remove the excess loose powder.
- Check the printed areas to make sure the adhesive powder has covered the design evenly.
Step 4: Cure the DTF Transfer with the WonderPress
Before applying the transfer to the fabric, the adhesive powder needs to be cured.
For this step, I’m using the xTool WonderPress curing setup. Follow the WonderPress instructions for baking and curing DTF transfers, using the appropriate settings for your xTool film and adhesive powder.
Make sure the powdered transfer is positioned correctly for curing and allow the process to finish before handling the transfer. Once the adhesive is properly cured, we’re ready to turn our plain fabric into custom printed fabric!
Step 5: Prepare the Cotton Fabric
Cut your plain cotton fabric into pieces large enough to accommodate the front and back ornament designs, leaving additional room around each piece for sewing.
Make sure the fabric is clean, smooth, and free of lint.
Pre-press the fabric with the WonderPress to remove wrinkles and excess moisture before applying the DTF transfer.
Step 6: Heat Press the DTF Transfer onto the Fabric
Now for my favorite part!
Since I’m using xTool DTF supplies with the WonderPress, I can use its built-in pressing presets instead of manually entering the temperature, time, and pressure.
- Select DTF as the transfer type and Cotton as the fabric type on the WonderPress.
- Position the cured transfer with the printed side against the fabric, making sure the design is exactly where you want it.
- Place the fabric and transfer into the WonderPress and start the pressing cycle.
- Repeat the process for the coordinating back design.
Step 7: Peel the DTF Film
After pressing, follow the peel instructions for your xTool DTF film and carefully remove the carrier film.
And just like that, we’ve created our own printed fabric! I love how the vintage Santa artwork looks on the fabric. All those little details really bring the design to life! The coordinating back turned out beautifully, too.
Step 8: Finish the Transfer
If you’re completing the optional second press recommended by xTool, cover the transferred design with a Teflon sheet or parchment paper and follow the appropriate finishing-press instructions.
Allow the fabric to cool before moving on to the sewing portion of the project. Now we have two pieces of custom printed fabric ready to turn into a Christmas ornament!
How to Make Vintage Christmas Ornaments with DTF Printed Fabric
Now that our fabric is printed, it’s time to turn it into a stuffed Christmas ornament!
I love vintage-style Christmas decorations, especially the soft stuffed ornaments that have a nostalgic, handmade look. Using DTF allows me to create my own designs while still giving the finished ornaments that classic fabric appearance.
Step 9: Cut and Prepare the Fabric
- Trim around the black outlined pattern.
- Place the Santa front and coordinating back pieces with the right sides of the fabric facing each other.
- Carefully align the ornament shapes, making sure the printed sewing guides line up.
- Secure the layers with sewing clips or pins.
Step 10: Add the Ornament Hanger
- Cut a piece of ribbon, twine, or cord and fold it in half to create a hanging loop.
- Place the loop between the two fabric layers at the top of the ornament.
- Make sure the loop is pointing toward the inside of the ornament and the ends extend into the seam allowance so they will be secured when sewn.
- Clip or pin the hanger in place.
Step 11: Sew Around the Ornament
- Using your sewing machine, carefully stitch around the ornament slightly inside the printed black outline.
- That black outline is our sewing guide, so there’s no need to remove it from the design before printing.
- Take your time around the curves and smaller details.
- Leave an opening along one side of the ornament so you can turn it right side out and add the stuffing.
Step 12: Trim the Excess Fabric
- Once the ornament is sewn, carefully trim away the excess fabric around the outside of the stitching.
- Leave enough seam allowance to keep the stitches secure.
- Clip or notch the seam allowance around tighter curves as needed, being careful not to cut through the stitching.
Step 13: Turn the Ornament Right Side Out
- Carefully turn the ornament right side out through the opening.
- Use your fingers or a blunt turning tool to gently push out the curves and smaller areas.
- Take your time so you don’t damage the fabric or the printed design.
- Press with a mini press with a teflon sheet if needed.
Now our little Santa is starting to take shape!
Step 14: Stuff the Ornament
- Add small amounts of polyester fiberfill through the opening.
- Work the stuffing into the smaller areas first, then continue filling the ornament until you’re happy with its shape.
I like these ornaments to have a little dimension while still keeping that soft, vintage stuffed-ornament appearance.
Step 15: Sew the Opening Closed
Once the ornament is stuffed, tuck the raw edges of the opening toward the inside.
Stitch with sewing machine or hand-sew to close the opening. A ladder stitch works well for creating a nearly invisible seam. I used my sewing machine to close the opening.
And that’s it! Our vintage-inspired Santa Christmas ornament is finished!
Our Vintage DTF Christmas Ornament Is Finished!
How cute are these? We started with plain cotton fabric, created our own custom printed fabric with DTF, and turned it into a dimensional vintage-inspired Christmas ornament.
I especially love the coordinating Christmas pattern on the back. It’s a fun little detail that makes the ornament look finished from every angle.
This project is a great example of why I’m enjoying the xTool Apparel Printer Plus so much. There are so many possibilities beyond traditional DTF apparel projects!
And being able to create my own printed fabric means I’m not limited to the patterns and designs available in fabric stores.
More Ideas for DTF Printed Fabric
Now that I’ve tried creating my own printed fabric with DTF, I already have so many other projects in mind!
You could use this same technique to make:
- Vintage stuffed Christmas ornaments
- Seasonal bowl fillers
- Mini decorative pillows
- Stuffed characters
- Fabric garlands
- Personalized keepsakes
- Custom fabric tags
- Seasonal home decorations
- Handmade products for craft fairs or small businesses
I’m in love with this whole set!
Watch the Video Tutorial
Want to see the entire process in action?
Watch my upcoming video tutorial on YouTube to see how I print my own fabric using the xTool Apparel Printer Plus, manually apply and cure the DTF powder with the WonderPress, and turn the finished fabric into vintage stuffed Christmas ornaments.
Save This DTF Printed Fabric Project for Later!
If you’ve been wanting to try something different with your DTF printer, I hope this project inspires you to think beyond T-shirts and sweatshirts!
Creating your own printed fabric opens up so many possibilities, especially when you can design exactly what you need for your project.
Be sure to save this tutorial for later, and if you make your own vintage Christmas ornaments, I’d love to see them!
Happy crafting!
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