Four Ways To Transfer Embroidery Patterns To Fabric

So, you chose the fabric and embroidery pattern, selected the most beautiful colored threads, and are ready to dive into a new and exciting project?

First, you must transfer your embroidery pattern to the fabric. If you are new to hand embroidery, this part can be intimidating. Which embroidery pattern transfer method should you use? What options are available?

Four ways to transfer embroidery patterns to fabric

Photo credit: Creative Fabrica

If you want to learn more about various possibilities, keep reading, as I will demonstrate four different methods for pattern transfers and list all the cons and pros of each technique.

I will use a simple Cat outline pattern from the Creative Fabrica library to demonstrate the different methods. Other tools and materials will be listed in the description of each technique.

Lightbox method

Photo credit: Tatjana Iljaseviciute from Practical Embroidery

Pattern transfer with the Lightbox method is one of my favorites. It’s simple, cheap, and does not require any special equipment. You only need a printed pattern, light-colored fabric, a transfer tool, and a light source.

Tools and materials:

Photo credit: Tatjana Iljaseviciute from Practical Embroidery

As a light source, you can use one of these options:

• Bright sunny window
• Your tablet
• Your computer screen
• DIY lightbox 
• Professional lightbox

Transfer tools you can use with this method:

• Friction pen
• Water soluble pen
• Pencil
• Colored dressmakers pencils

Pros of the Lightbox method:

• It’s cheap
• It’s accessible
• You can use any of your favorite transfer tools for this method.

Cons:

• This method does not work with dark or dense fabrics
• It can be hard to transfer extensive patterns that do not fit in the hoop

Method

Choose your light source and then follow these simple steps:

• Print or draw a pattern on paper. Make sure that the lines are clear and bold enough;

Photo credit: Tatjana Iljaseviciute from Practical Embroidery

• Tape a design to a window (or another source of light);
• Prepare your embroidery fabric. If the pattern is small and fits in the hoop, frame the material before transferring the design. In case your design is more significant than the hoop, iron your fabric and tape it over the printed motive;

Photo credit: Tatjana Iljaseviciute from Practical Embroidery

• Trace all the lines with your favorite tracing tool; 
• Done. Now your pattern is ready for stitching!

Pattern transfer with tissue paper method

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Most pattern transfer methods and tools work great on plain-weave, light-colored fabrics. But what if I want to embroider on black felt, red velvet, or thick denim?

Fortunately, there are pattern transfer methods for these tricky fabrics too. One of my favorites is the pattern transfer with tissue paper method.

Tools and materials:

Photo credit: Tatjana Iljaseviciute from Practical Embroidery

• Embroidery pattern.
• Tissue paper. I use paper for gift wrapping. Also, one layer of a simple paper napkin works fantastic.
• A pencil or a pen.

Pros of the pattern transfer with tissue paper method:

• It’s simple.
• It’s fast.
• It is not expensive.
• Works on any material.

The downsides of this method:

• Not suitable for highly detailed delicate patterns.
• Removing the paper can get tricky on some fabrics.

Method

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• Layer tissue paper over the pattern and outline the whole design. Use a simple pencil or any pen you have on hand. Avoid felt tip pens as they can bleed on the tissue paper.
• Place the tissue paper over the fabric you want to embroider. Position the design.

Photo credit: Tatjana Iljaseviciute from Practical Embroidery

• Frame both layers into the hoop. 
• If the piece of tissue paper is smaller than the hoop – secure it with the basting stitches.

Photo credit: Tatjana Iljaseviciute from Practical Embroidery

• Embroider through both layers – tissue paper and fabric. Be careful not to tear the paper before you finish the embroidery.
• If your embroidery has outlines and filling, embroider all the outlines and remove the tissue paper. Add filling stitches after you remove the tissue paper.
• If you use composite stitches (e.g., whipped stitch or threaded stitch), embroider the base stitches, remove the paper, and add any lacing or whipping stitches at the end.

Photo credit: Tatjana Iljaseviciute from Practical Embroidery

• After the embroidery is complete, remove the tissue paper. First, tear away and remove the most extensive parts of the paper, then – smaller ones that remain under or between the stitches.

Pattern transfer with Carbon paper

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Carbon paper for dressmaking comes in different colors to be used both on dark and light fabrics.

Tools and materials:

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• Printed pattern
• Carbon paper
• Any ball pen

Pros of pattern transfer with Carbon paper

• Carbon paper is inexpensive and can often be used more than once.
• No other special tools are required.
• This method works even on extensive patterns, as you can move the paper around the fabric and continue adding the marks.

Cons:

• This method will not work if the fabric is grainy, has a surface structure, or is very soft (think of velvet or loosely woven linen).
• If you press it while transferring, carbon paper can leave some residue on the fabric.
• Removing the tracing mark after the embroidery is finished can be tricky.

Method

Photo credit: Tatjana Iljaseviciute from Practical Embroidery

• Put the carbon paper (colored side of the transfer paper on the fabric) and then place the design face up. 

Photo credit: Tatjana Iljaseviciute from Practical Embroidery

• Use a ballpoint pen to trace each line to transfer to the material. You may have to go over the lines more than once. 
• Remove the pattern and carbon paper, and you are ready to embroider.

Water soluble stabilizer

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Sometimes, none of the methods mentioned above will suit your needs. For example, think of dark fabric with texture, embroidery on clothes, or a detailed pattern that is hard to trace or transfer. In this case, you can use a stabilizer. 

The stabilizer for the pattern transfer is an additional layer of “fabric” (it can be sticky or not). You can draw your pattern on it, transfer it, or print it directly from your printer. 

Tools and materials:

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• The pattern.
• Water soluble stabilizer.
• Any tracing tool.

Pros of the Stabilizer method:

• Very fast and easy.
• Works on any type and color of fabric.
• The pattern is not affected by the imperfections of hand drawing.
• The stabilizer is excellent when you embroider on stretchy fabrics, as it also helps to keep the tension of the material constant.

Cons: 

• It is a relatively expensive method of transferring the pattern.
• You will need to wash the embroidery after the work is done.
•  You must be careful not to wet the project while working, as the humidity can damage the stabilizer.

Method

Photo credit: Tatjana Iljaseviciute from Practical Embroidery

• Transfer the pattern to the stabilizer (you can print it directly to some stabilizers).
• Cut away the excess of the stabilizer.

Photo credit: Tatjana Iljaseviciute from Practical Embroidery

• Place the stabilizer with a design above your fabric. If your stabilizer is peel-and-stick, just place it over the material as a sticker.
• Embroider through both layers.
• After you finish the embroidery, submerge your embroidery in lukewarm water, and the stabilizer will dissolve. Read the instructions of your stabilizer, as the method varies depending on the specific product.

In conclusion

Photo credit: Tatjana Iljaseviciute from Practical Embroidery

Definitely, there are more methods to transfer embroidery patterns to the fabric – from iron-on designs to pouching. Still, these four ways to transfer embroidery patterns to the fabric will have you covered in most situations.

Try them all

The simple Cat outline pattern from the Creative Fabrica library is a great embroidery pattern for beginners. It would look great on:

• The back pocket of the jeans 
• A T-shirt
• The tea towel or fabric napkins
• Tote bag

You could use any basic hand embroidery stitches to embroider this motive quickly. Read a “Six Basic Hand Embroidery Stitches to Learn First” article for guidance.

Now that you know the differences between the various embroidery design transfer methods, which will you choose for your next project?