How to Transfer a Design to Fabric

You can use a variety of methods to transfer a design onto fabric. Choose one of the following when you create your next needlework, appliqué or fabric art project.

Things You'll Need

• Dressmaker's Carbon Notebook Papers
• Pounce
• Soft-bristled Hobby Brushes
• Water-soluble Pencils Or Pens
• Darning Needles
• Dressmaker's Pins
• Fabrics
• Ironing Boards
• Irons
• Masking Tape
• Sewing Needles
• Tailor's Chalks
• Threads
• Transfer Pencils
• Scissors
• Heavy Paper Or Cardboard
• Heavy Tracing Paper
• Light Boxes
• Tracing Wheels

Instructions

1. Transfer a design onto transparent or semi-transparent fabric by placing your design underneath the fabric. Secure the fabric and trace along the design lines with a water-soluble pen or pencil.

2. Transfer a design onto fabric by taping your design to a window during daylight hours. Place the fabric over the design and tape it into place. Light shining through the window will allow you to see the design more clearly. Trace the design onto the fabric with a water-soluble pen or pencil.

3. Transfer a large, simple design to fabric by making a template, or pattern, out of heavy paper or cardboard. Place the template onto the fabric and trace around it with a water-soluble pen or pencil.

4. Use heavy tracing paper to transfer a design onto fabric. Trace the design on the back of the paper with a transfer pencil. Place the marked side of the paper onto the fabric and press it with a dry iron set at low. Do not move the iron back and forth - press in one spot for a few seconds, then move to a different part of the design until you have covered the entire area.

5. Use dressmaker's carbon paper to transfer a design onto fabric. Place the paper carbon side down between the fabric and the design. Trace over the design with a tracing wheel or a pencil.

6. Transfer a design onto a dark fabric by first tracing the design onto tracing paper. Use a darning needle to prick holes at close and regular intervals along all the lines of the design. Position the tracing paper over the fabric and sprinkle crushed tailor's chalk over the design. Make sure that the chalk is crushed to a fine powder. Use a soft-bristled brush to move powder through the holes. Carefully remove the paper and trace the design lines with a water-soluble pen or pencil.

7. Transfer a design onto dark fabric by first tracing the design onto tissue paper. Pin the paper to the fabric and sew small running stitches along the design lines. Secure the thread and carefully tear away the tissue paper. Mark the fabric along the stitching lines with a water-soluble pen or pencil.

Tips & Warnings

• Trace your design with a black marker or felt-tipped pen to make it more visible underneath fabric. Make sure the ink is dry before it contacts the fabric.

• Keep your fabric in place by pinning or taping it.

• Use a light box as an alternative to taping the design and fabric to a window.

• Make sure that your design is positioned exactly where you want it before you begin your transfer.

• Special powder, referred to as pounce, can be used in place of crushed tailor's chalk.