How to transfer embroidery pattern to fabric

Tracing

If your fabric is fairly thin, you can use a light source like a light box or window to transfer the design directly to the fabric, mark the lines with a chalk marker pencil or a water-soluble transfer pen or pencil. In a pinch, finely sharpened standard pencils can also be used.

To transfer a design using a light source such as a window, glue the pattern to the glass and cover the pattern with fabric. You should be able to see the design clearly through the fabric and trace the lines with a marker or pen.

n. Do not iron by moving the iron back and forth across the paper, as this will distort the image.

water soluble stabilizer

The water-soluble stabilizer method is a good choice when you are dealing with dark fabrics or detailed patterns. With this material, you can print the pattern directly onto the backing paper and place it on the embroidered fabric.

After sewing the fabric and stabilizer, soak the embroidery in warm water and the stabilizer will dissolve.

Because this method requires soaking, you'll want to make sure your fabric is washable and your embroidery thread doesn't fade.

Transferring patterns with light

Another option, and my preferred method of transferring embroidery patterns, is to use light. I feel like this allows me to trace each line and get a good idea of the pattern before stitching. This technique requires utilizing daylight or investing in light boxes. Water-soluble pens are great for using light transfer patterns.

To use daylight, find a bright window that receives a lot of sunlight. Attach the pattern to the window and then the fabric over it. The light will shine through and you can trace each pattern line to transfer to the fabric.

Using a light box works like putting tape on a window, but is not limited by time (i.e. sunset). I recommend sticking the pattern on the lightbox, sticking the pattern on it, and using a water soluble pen to transfer each pattern line.

Tracing Paper

Another method that works well for fabrics that are hard to trace but don't want to soak is the tracing paper method.

To use this technique, trace your pattern onto lightweight tracing paper. Apply the paper to the fabric, then stitch the paper to the fabric. When done, carefully peel off the tracing paper.

Hot Iron Transfers

Hot Iron Transfers are ready-to-use patterns with a wide range of themes. They are usually printed with black, blue or gray ink. Use a hot iron to transfer these designs to the fabric the same way you transfer pens and pencils.

Pouncing

Before the advent of transfer paper and iron-on ink, burrowing was a common method of transferring embroidery designs to fabrics.

Using this method, periodically puncture the pattern with a pin. The pattern is then fastened to the fabric and a soft fabric pad is used to bounce the powdered paint through the holes. Bounce supplies can still be found in specialty needlework stores.

I've seen quite a few embroiderers start using Sulky Sticky Fabri-Solvy. It can be passed through a computer printer, adhered to the fabric, and dissolved in water. This is a super easy and fun technique to do the transfer of each pattern line. However, it can be a little expensive to use this paper for all your embroidery projects.