Transfer (or tracing) paper is an incredibly easy way to transfer any picture or embroidery pattern onto a piece of fabric. This method of transferring embroidery patterns is quick, easy, and relatively inexpensive to do. Keep reading to learn more!
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I was pretty happy when I found out about pdf embroidery patterns. The iron-on templates that you can buy in the store are a great option, but finding free patterns online opened up a whole new world for me!
There are so many more options for embroidery patterns online than what you can find at the store. Not only that, but many of these patterns are free!
However, once I discovered the world of free embroidery patterns, I began to wonder how I would use such a pattern? In the past, I had only used pre-designed iron-on patterns from the store.
So, I began to do my research!
I found out that there are a number of different ways that you can transfer embroidery patterns. Here, I will explain my favorite way that I have found to do so- through using DMC’s Embroidery Transfer (or Tracing) Paper. .
Why use DMC’s Embroidery Tracing Paper?
There are a number different reasons for why I prefer to use this method over the others. Here is my list of why:
- No light is required. There is a transferring method known as the light method. The light method requires a window on a sunny day or a light box. I don’t have a light box, so that option is out of the picture for me. I also live in a northern climate, so daylight is limited for me in the winter. Using the light method via window also requires tracing a pattern at a vertical angle (which honestly doesn’t sound too fun to me).
- You don’t have rip off or wash off your pattern at the end. Water-soluble paper is another method for transferring embroidery patterns. This method involves printing your pattern onto paper and sewing right over the paper pattern itself.
This sounds like a very easy and convenient method… until you realize that you are left with a piece of paper under your stitches. Sure, the paper can be torn out or easily washed off. However, I, personally, don’t want to go through that extra work after completing my masterpiece! - Lastly, It’s inexpensive! DMC’s Embroidery Transfer Paper is only $6.18 on Amazon. This package will get you 4 sheets in total. And, the sheets can be reused if you are drawing patterns that don’t have a ton of detail. As a bonus, the markings easily come off of the fabric with just an eraser or damp cloth!
What do I need to use transfer embroidery patterns?
You will need very few materials to use DMC’s Transfer paper. And, you probably have most of the materials on hand!
The most important thing you will need is transfer paper! You can easily buy DMC’s transfer paper online here or at your local craft store.
Other than the transfer paper itself, all you will need is:
1) your pattern printed onto normal paper,
2) a tightly woven fabric (such as cotton or linen),
3) an embroidery hoop, and
4) a ball-point pen or sharp pencil (a non ball-point pen will not work).
It’s pretty simple so far, right?
How do I use DMC Transfer Paper?
Preparing the Pattern
First, you will need to prepare your free embroidery pattern! Download your pattern and print it out onto a standard, letter-sized paper.
My free embroidery patterns automatically download to fit a whole size of paper. So, you will most likely need to resize the pattern to match your preferred size.
This can easily be done by adjusting the scale of the image in the print settings: (download image-> print-> advanced settings-> scale). In this demonstration I set the print scale to 80 and I am using a round, 8 inch hoop.
Once your pattern is printed to it’s correct size, I recommend cutting off the unnecessary paper. This way you won’t have to mess with the excess paper as you transfer the pattern.
Next, lay your fabric face side up. Place your transfer paper (blue paper for a light fabric, yellow paper for a dark fabric) on top of your fabric. The colored side should be facing down.
Place your pattern on top of the transfer paper. Pin or tape the pattern and paper to the fabric. Be careful to keep the fabric flat so that your pattern transfers properly.
Tracing the Pattern
Once your pattern and transfer paper are pinned to the fabric, you can begin tracing your pattern. It works well for me to use a ball-point pen, but I have also heard that you can use a sharp pencil for this.
It is important to note that when you trace your pattern you will have to press your pen down really hard. Like as hard as you possibly can (your hand will probably be hurting at the end).
I found it the most effective and the quickest to use a firm and hard grasp on the pen while quickly drawing small lines back and forth over the pattern as I traced it.
Feel free to peek at your pattern (without removing the pins or tape) every once in awhile to make sure that the pattern is transferring.
Finishing Touches
Once you have finished tracing your pattern, you can remove the pins, pattern, and paper. If the tracing paper still has quite a bit of color on it, I encourage you to save it for another pattern later on!
You can now place your fabric into your embroidery hoop. Happy stitching!
