How to transfer embroideries

I spend lots of my time embroidering. Too much, honestly. So I figured it was a good idea to explain how I transfer my embroideries to whatever cloth I'm working with. It's a pretty easy process if you've got the right tools! These techniques are also useful if you design your own embroideries like I do. I always draw my embroideries by hand and then transfer them. The only time I end up using a computer is if I've got to resize an embroidery. Drawing and transferring by hand is much easier!

It's important to note that I never use dark colored cloth as the base of my embroideries - I almost always use unbleached muslin. For dark cloth you'll have to try iron-on transfer pencils or tailor's chalk. :)

Want to learn to embroider? I've got an instructable for that! Check it out by clicking here.

Step 1: What you'll need:

• regular printer paper
• fabric of choice
• pencil
• a pen/sharpie for darkening lines
• a water soluble pen
• ruler
• tape
• pins

Water soluble pens are the way to go! They are easy to work with and very rarely have any problems. The only thing you need to be careful about is washing out the ink completely before you iron your work. (I've also never left the ink on for more than a few days - I have a feeling it might set into place permanently if left too long!) To wash out the ink from a water soluble pen, just run the embroidery under warm water for a couple minutes.

Air soluble pens are unpredictable and quite grumpy. Sometimes the marks you make fade within a half hour, and sometimes they never come out. I learned to avoid them the hard way several times. :P

Comments

[galaxyblue8]

Thank you so much Jessy for all your tutorials on embroidery they have been very helpful and I love this Hobbit pattern. This will be my first pattern that I try my hand at, wish me luck!

[mrsthursday]

Thanks- brilliant idea- you are awarded the Golden Clever Clogs Award!

[jessyratfink]

Ohhhh, very official. :D Thank you!

[supersoftdrink]

I have another couple options for embroidery pattern transfers...


I'll post an instructable on my most recent one soon, hopefully. I told Scooch about a previous concept...

[jessyratfink]

Yeah! Can't wait to see them. :)

[ravenking]

I like your transfer options 2 and 3. These are clever ways of making do without a lighted box. I wish I thought of that!

If you draw with a ball point pen on cotton fabric you can erase the ink with rubbing alcohol ( no friction needed, just a good soak).

[jessyratfink]

I had no idea! That's so fancy - I'm going to try that soon. :D

[porcupinemamma]

ditto :0)

[canucksgirl]

Very good tips! Thanks for sharing. :)