4 Necessary Materials in Transferring a Needlework Design to a Sewing Fabric

Designs can be easily transferred to the sewing fabric for a more accurate needlework design. Using a water-soluble pencil, dressmaker's carbon paper, tracing paper, and heat transfer paper are the things to use to be able to accurately transfer the design to the fabric.

There are many methods of transferring designs to the fabric for any cross stitch needlework. In transferring designs, one must prepare the design pattern and materials before hand. Having the materials ready will make the design preparation process more efficiently and accurately. You can choose from the different materials to used in transferring the designs discuss below:

Water-soluble pencil

These type of pencils are used to trace designs directly to the fabric because it can be easily remove with water. One technique of transferring designs with water-soluble pencil on a thin fabric is by placing the fabric directly above the design and tracing it. This can be done during daylight so that you can also trace the design clearly by taping the fabric on a flat glass window with the design beneath it.

Dressmaker's carbon paper

Another option for transferring designs to the fabric is by tracing with a dressmaker's carbon paper. Just simply place the carbon paper above the fabric and beneath the design pattern. Secure it properly to be able to accurately trace the design unto the fabric. You can use a tracing wheel or a pencil in tracing the design. Once done, carefully remove the design patter and carbon paper. The traced pattern should now be printed on the fabric through the carbon paper.

Tracing paper

Tracing papers are often used in transferring designs to dark colored sewing fabric. It is a transparent paper where you can easily trace designs and attached it to the fabric. One way to have the design placed on the fabric is by pricking holes on the tracing paper at an equal distance along the design. Sprinkle a finely crushed tailor's chalk on the tracing paper with a fine bristle brush. Carefully remove the tracing paper and trace the powdered chalk with a washable marker. Another way is by sewing loose running stitches on the design printed on the tracing paper with the fabric beneath. Remove the paper carefully, to not stash the stitch marking. Trace the running stitches with a washable marker and remove the stitches when finished.

Heat transfer paper

You can also transfer the designs to the fabric by using heat transfer. This is done by simply tracing with a heat transfer marker and a transfer paper to the design pattern. After tracing the design, simply place the marked side of the transfer paper to the fabric. Secure it firmly and press the transfer paper with an iron set at a low heat. Press the iron in every section one at a time for a few seconds until the whole design area is covered. Remember to not slide the iron back and forth as this will cause the transfer marker to blot.

You can also substitute the tracing paper with a fine coarse tissue when tracing with a running stitch. Also take note of the direction when transferring designs with letters and numbers. Always place it on the correct side especially when using a transfer paper, to have a correct design direction. With these easy methods and tips you would surely transfer your designs as accurately as it could get.