How to Transfer a Pattern

There are several methods and reasons to transfer a craft pattern. If you're working on wood products, the method varies slightly from the method that you use when working with fabric. Decide which method is best for you and follow the easy steps.

Things You'll Need

• Tracing paper
• Carbon, either dressmakers or regular
• Pencil
• Tape or pins

Instructions

1. Purchase tracing paper if you want to maintain the quality of the original pattern.

2. Trace the pattern clearly onto the tracing paper. Make certain that you use quality paper since lesser quality has a tendency to be thicker or more delicate.

3. Clear the surface to be traced on. It's usually best to presand wood so it's smooth enough to accept the pattern.

4. Buy carbon paper. Commercial carbon paper has blue or black ink on one side and regular paper on the other. Get a size that is the same as the tracing paper that the pattern is on. If the area is large, tape the non-inked sides together.

5. Use dressmakers carbon paper that has a white backing when working on a dark wood. This is also the type of paper that can be used if working with fabric.

6. Tape the copy of the design onto the wood or pin it to fabric. Leave a space to insert the carbon.

7. Insert the carbon and carefully trace over the pattern. Make certain that the carbon is doing its job by peeking under. Continue until all lines have been traced. Remove all the tape but one piece; remove the carbon and check to make certain all lines have been copied before removing the last piece of tape.