Tuesday 13 September 2016

Transfer a Stitchery Design onto Dark Fabric


Want to transfer a design to dark fabric?  All you need is some Tracedown paper (USA) and a pencil. (Click here for Tracedown paper from Amazon UK)

The paper comes in many colours - I am using white (for dark fabrics).  

Firstly, place your fabric right side facing up.  Next lay one sheet of Tracedown paper, chalky side facing down, on top of your fabric.  Finally place the design on top. 
The Tracedown paper has chalky side facing down

Pin all three layers together so they don't move. 

Then use a pencil to trace over the design.  

Unpin the layers and start stitching over the chalked tracing. 
Don't worry about the smudges - they will disappear

You will find the chalk rubs off a little as you work but it should never disappear completely.

Once you are finished stitching wipe over the fabric with a damp cloth to get rid of the chalk (I keep a pack of baby wipes in my worktable drawer for such occasions). 

Spookily simple.  So much so that I will be testing the graphite paper on white fabric next week so be sure to come back to see how I get on.

5 comments:

  1. Works so beautifully! I'll have to try this next time I want to embroider a project. I always shied away from dark backgrounds because of this question. Now I can use any background I like!

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    1. I know - I am well chuffed to find such a simple method.

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  2. What a clever way to assure accurate stitches on dark fabric!! It looks like a super fast and simple way to put the marks where you want to stitch!
    Susie

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    1. It is Susie - and I only found out about it this weekend. I wasn't sure it would work on fabric but it does. Next up block 60 from The Splendid Sampler (an embroidery block). I am a bit wary of using grey on white but I am game for a try.

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  3. Great tip Amanda! I'll have to try this out. Thank you

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