Transferring Patterns by-www.Primitive-Stitches.com
~Transferring Stitchery Patterns~~
by
Method 1: I think that the easiest way to transfer a pattern is by using a light box. You may purchase a good lightbox at JoAnn Fabrics for about $30. If you are a regular stitcher it is well worth the money.
When using a light box, you place a copy of the pattern design side up first on top of the light box followed by your muslin. Then just trace the pattern onto the fabric using a water or air soluable marker.
There is a new marker called the Frixion Erasable Gel Pen by Pilot. The marks disappear with the rub of a warm iron. I have not used this product myself, but a customer has and loves it. UPDATE: I am reading that while most people love the ability to stitch using this pen, that the lines disappear if the fabric is left in area where temperatures rise and the lines can come back if the temperatures are below 30 degrees. This would not be good if you are doing a winter show and a customer purchases an item only to go out into the cold and the lines reappear...as they would not know that the lines would then disappear once the item became warmer again. I have also read that washing the item after stitching does not remove the ability for the lines to be seen again once temperatures fall below 30 degrees.
***If you are making items to sell, I would suggest using one of the markers that have been made specifically for fabric that are water soluable....disappears when water touches the area. You may then use tea if you are tea dying or if not water to remove the marks after stitching is complete.
Method 2: If you are not a regular stitcher but have a large window available, you may also tape the copy of the pattern followed by the muslin to the window on a sunny day and you have your homemade lightbox. Taping is important so that when your arms become tired...you may take a break and not mess up your design by moving it.
Method 3: There is also a great product available from Lowell-Cornell that makes transferring patterns to fabric an easy one step task. It is called Lowell Cornell-Super Chacopaper Paper. So far I think that it only comes in blue.
Unlike dressmakers transfer paper, this is not a chalky substance that is easily wiped away during stitching. This paper allows you to transfer your pattern into a clear concise outline in one easy step.
When you have finished stitching your project, it is easily removed with water. For those who like to tea dye, you can just dip in tea instead.
The cost may be slightly higher, but well worth every penny!!! We found this product at A. C. Moore and Michaels Craft Stores. It may be available at your local craft and fabric store chain.
