When you first start to hand embroider items, or perhaps you have picked up some of my free patterns and want to start stitching, one process that often stumps people is how to transfer hand embroidery patterns to fabric so that you can start to stitch. Here are the 2 methods I mostly use because they are both quick and easy.
Method 1 to transfer hand embroidery patterns to fabric
I am not affiliated with this product but I use a product called Transdoodle by Mistyfuse. You can also use dress makers carbon. Transdoodle is a chalk based transfer paper that produces very clear and fine outlines. It is described as being non-waxy non staining, and reusable. Another big advantage is that the lines will not set even if you accidently iron it! Also, should you ever want to, you can use it on other materials such as metal or ceramics, you can.
With Hand embroidery usually your stitching lines covers any marking lines, but should you need to remove the marks you simply wipe with a cloth or wash the project. If your project will not take kindly to water simply rub out the chalky line with a scrap of fabric. Transdoodle comes in a number of colours including white so you can transfer designs on to dark fabrics. You use Transdoodle as you would dressmakers carbon (which you can also use to transfer embroidery designs)
Place the sheet of Transdoodle chalky colour side down on the fabric. Then line up your pattern on top.
Trace over the pattern so that pressure from the pen transfers the design. Make sure you do not shift the design as you work. When you lift off the Transdoodle sheet you have a design transferred to the fabric ready to stitch.
The red Christmas decoration design (at the top of the post) was made using this method.
Method 2 to transfer hand embroidery patterns to fabric
The second method I use is also quick and simple. However, this trick will only work for light coloured fabrics as you need to be able to see through the fabric when you hold it up to the light. When choosing a fabric to embroider on it is best to use a fabric that has a smooth weave.
You can place your design on light box. If you do not own a light box (and most people don’t) you can do what I do, which is to I tape the design to a window.
Over the top of the design I tape the fabric. As you can see this allows me to see the design well enough to trace it.
With a quilters pencil or a marking pen I trace the design. If you use a marking pen make sure it is one of those that will fade or disappear with moisture or time. Don’t iron your work after you have traced it unless stitchery will cover every line. Heat, in other words ironing, will set the transfer marks.
Here is a finished example of this motif. It was part of a series of Christmas decorations.
I hope you find this small tutorial useful.
Have you seen my Stitchers Templates?
Create your own designs with Sharon’s easy-to-use stitchers templates. Combine shapes to create hundreds of patterns and designs to embroider. It is the ultimate mix-and-match fun for stitchers of all skill levels. I created them to be as versatile as possible. I include four multi-patterned templates in each set. You will find them easy to use, totally clear to help you position them on your work, and they are nice and compact to fit in your sewing box. Each set comes with an e-book filled with patterns and designs that you can create and use as a jumping-off spot for your own designs. They are available now in our shop here!
Happy stitching!
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It is sort of similar but I find it works on more materials (its a bit more waxier in feel) I use it because I find it leaves a cleaner mark.
I purchased Clover brand Tracing Paper – (Clover Chacopy) from spotlight I guess it is similar to what you used. A five colour pack of papers is about $6 or $7.
I really like your blog. I've just found it by following a link from Nenah's needle. I am new to needlepoint and have the bug. Now you've go me thinking about how to combine with quilting which I've been doing for several years……Thank you!
Yes, Joann’s carries it, but online only. I’ve also seen in advertised at K-Mart. Many quilt shops carry it, as well.
Loretta
I am sorry I don’t know if JoAnn’s carries it as I am Australian and don’t really even know what JoAnn’s is – I am guessing it is a needlework/sewing chain as I often see it mentioned. Sorry I can’t be of any help but ask them
Do you know if JoAnn’s carries transdoodle? I’m going to have to get me some of that so I can finally do this project on grey fabric that I’ve been holding off on.
Anne I don’t understand your question because if you read the article I do not mention – no did I use interfacing. Sorry I need clarification.
Hi, I would like to know, do i put the iron-on interfacing on the fabric before i embroider or after i finished embroider?
Warmest regards,
Ann
I am a beginer in Hand embroidery. My 88 year old mother has been doing this since I was a child and now I have caught the bug! TRANSDOODLE SOUNDS AMAZINGI I love flowers and nature and with this product I can trace nature at its best. Thank you thank you thank you! your web site it great. Sure appreciate all that you are doing.
Sharon, I’d never heard of Transdoodle, sounds like it comes from the hard crafts side of the spectrum if it can be used on ceramics etc. Might be a useful addition to the tool box for certain uses. Thanks for the info.
I will just briefly say that most tutors at the Embroiderers’ Guild NSW do NOT recommend the blue or purple pens for marking white or light coloured embroidery articles due to the variation in quality from different brands and unreliable removal even after washing of some blue pens. HB pencil used with a light touch is the most recommended method or "tack and tear" on textured fabrics.
Thanks for sharing, as always you are a fount of information, VBG.
Hooroo,
Christine
http://missmuffettwo.blogspot.com/