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
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:
1. Choose your embroidery design. Remember you can always use a photocopier to enlarge or reduce the size as required to fit your project.
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.
3. Copy the design onto the tissue paper with a pen.
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.
5. On a hard surface, go over the lines with a pen. The pressure will transfer the coloured carbon onto the fabric.
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.
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
Do you have a preferred method for transferring embroidery patterns and designs?
PIN FOR LATER
This is such a useful tip! Right now I’m working on an embroidery piece on a mustard yellow textured fabric, and it was downright hellish transfering the design to the fabric with a lightbox! Pinning this right now so that I’ll have it for next time! 🙂 Lisa
Hi Cintia. Our readers will love this tutorial. We’ve included it in our craft inspiration roundup this week. https://craftylikegranny.com/crafting-kinda-thing/ Cheers Emily 🙂
Thank you for a great explanation. I was looking online for a similar idea and really appreciate it the way you describe the embroidery patterns was great and it really help me.
is also very important when you are designing embroidery design.
Thank you for sharing this information. The information was very helpful for me and saved a lot of my time.
Glad I could be of help. Enjoy your embroidery.
How do Itransfer eembroidery pattern on velvet fabric?
That’s a tricky one. You may need to experiment a bit. I found some information here https://www.needlenthread.com/2011/08/goldwork-on-velvet-transferring-embroidery-design.html or maybe use a soluble or tearaway film like this
https://www.hookedonneedles.com/2008/07/embroidering-on-velvet-with-hoop.html
Hope that helps.
Where do you get your transfer paper? I found some on Amazon, but I’m not sure how good they’ll be and the local craft stores near me don’t seem to have anything.
Thanks!
I’d recommend the Burda brand paper that I’ve linked to on Amazon below the supply list. I actually bought this pack I’m using from a thrift store.
Hi Cintia,
Would you please be kind to tell me what is the name of the book you are using in this article? I am trying to find something like that on the internet but no success. A book with designs which includes the name of the stitches to be used.
Really appreciate your help.
Tks a lot.
You can find a full review of this book here https://mypoppet.com.au/makes/book-review-501-enchanting-embroidery-designs/
Great! Thank you so much! really appreciate. Bless you!
Does this method work if one is transferring a design onto Felt?
Yes it’s the same method, but the transfer quality will depend on what type of transfer paper you are using.
I have DMC embroidery tracing paper. Is that appropriate? Or is there a better product?
You’ll need to test it on a corner of the felt you wish to use and see. Smooth felt should be easier to transfer onto than fuzzy felt. I think you’ll just need to experiment to find the most suitable product.