How to Transfer Embroidery Patterns onto Dark Fabric

How to Transfer Embroidery Patterns onto Dark Fabric - mypoppet.com.au

There are many ways to transfer embroidery patterns onto fabrics. Usually if I’m working with a light coloured fabric that is fairly thin, I can trace the design directly onto it. I use a window as a light box to help me see the design clearly through the fabric and then trace the lines with a pencil.

But what happens if the fabric is dark, or too thick for the design to show through?

Last week I stitched a small embroidery design onto chambray fabric which wasn’t suited to my usual window transfer method. I dug around in my haberdashery supplies and found some dressmakers carbon paper which I picked up at an op-shop for 50c, I knew it would come in handy one day.

Here’s how I did it:

How to Transfer Embroidery Patterns onto Dark Fabric

How to Transfer Embroidery Patterns onto Dark Fabric

You will need:

  • The design you wish to transfer
  • Fabric to embroider on
  • Tissue paper or see-through tracing paper
  • Carbon transfer paper – available in various colours
  • Pen
  • Sewing pins
  • General embroidery supplies to complete your project
  • Washi tape (optional)


How to:

501 Enchanting Embroidery Designs - Book review - mypoppet.com.au

1. Choose your embroidery design. Remember you can always use a photocopier to enlarge or reduce the size as required to fit your project.

How to Transfer Embroidery Patterns onto Dark Fabric

2. Lay the tissue paper over the design. Tape it with washi tape if the design is large to prevent the paper from sliding around.

How to Transfer Embroidery Patterns onto Dark Fabric

3. Copy the design onto the tissue paper with a pen.

How to Transfer Embroidery Patterns onto Dark Fabric

4. Cut out a piece of carbon tracing paper about the same size as your design. Choose a colour that contrasts with your fabric. I’ve chosen red, but if you have black fabric, white carbon paper is available. Place the coloured side of the carbon paper facing down and then pin the tissue paper with the design on top.

How to Transfer Embroidery Patterns onto Dark Fabric

5. On a hard surface, go over the lines with a pen. The pressure will transfer the coloured carbon onto the fabric.

501 Enchanting Embroidery Designs - Book review - mypoppet.com.au

6. Go ahead and embroider your design. The lines may fade with handling so if required touch up any details with a pencil or disappearing marker.

501 Enchanting Embroidery Designs - Book review - mypoppet.com.au
Here’s my finished embroidery motif, the design is from a recently reviewed Craft book – 501 Enchanting Embroidery Designs.
https://mypoppet.com.au/makes/2017/08/book-review-501-enchanting-embroidery-designs.html

Embroidered pot holder -mypoppet.com.au

Do you have a preferred method for transferring embroidery patterns and designs?

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How to Transfer Embroidery Patterns onto Dark Fabric

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