Transferring embroidery pattern onto colored fabric

by Charleen McElroy
(Arizona)

I am going to embroider a design on black fabric.

Someone told me to use fusible paper to draw my pattern, then iron it to the fabric, and do the embroidery on the paper. But I am not sure what kind of fusible paper, and how to get rid of the paper once I have finished the work.

I cannot find this person to ask her. What would you do to transfer embroidery patterns onto the black fabric, or any other fabric color?

Thanks, any help would be appreciated.


Carol responds...

Many commercial patterns for embroidery are sold for transferring onto white or pale colored fabrics, and do not show up on a darker tone. You can get transfers that are silver-colored which would do the job quite nicely, however.

If you want to create your own pattern, there are various ways of doing this. The one you choose would depend on the texture of the fabric, and the complexity of your design, Charleen.

You could sketch a simple outline design with a white tailor's chalk. This would brush off when required.

You could use a light, fusible interfacing, similar to what was suggested. This would typically be ironed onto the back of the fabric, so the design would have to be created in reverse, especially if any lettering was included. You could then tack around the design lines with a pale-colored thread so that the picture was visible on the right side. The interfacing would then be left in place once the work was completed.

You could use a similar tacking method by using tissue paper, which you would lay on the front of the work. Once you have outlined the pattern in tacking (basting) thread, you could then tear away the paper before starting to stitch.

Another method of getting the pattern onto a dark fabric ready to embroider would be Prick and Pounce. I give more information about this, and other methods of transferring patterns here...

transferring patterns onto fabric

You could also use a light coloured embroidered carbon paper between your fabric and the pattern to trace over.

You may find that one of those fits your requirements.

Regards,

Carol

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by: Michy

There is available a paper that you can place on the fabric, embroider over, and then either launder the item or sponge water over it and the paper dissolves away. Sticky Fabri-solvy is the name.
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by: Jody

Look for Punch Paper, you will find it if you check with some of the shops that specialize in embroidery. Then when you have finished your project you will be able to just tear the paper away in the back. One thing I have found is a real help when doing any kind of needlework on colored cloth, especially dark colors, is an "UP LIGHT". They are a bit expensive, but such a great help. If you are interested, let me know - I ended up with 2 of these lights and I would be more than happy to discuss them with you. Jody

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