COMPLEX PATTERN TRANSFER

If you are working on darker fabrics and you do not have a light source for the simple pattern transfer, or if the fabric you want to embroider is too thick, then a more complex pattern transfer is needed. For this method, an embroidery frame is not required, and the pattern is transferred directly onto the right side of the fabric with a carbon tracing paper (I use DMC transfer paper: see Materials & Equipment).

1. Cut a piece of transfer paper to the dimensions of the pattern and place it onto the fabric with the carbon side facing down.

2. Place the pattern, right side facing up, on top of the transfer paper.

3. Pin the pattern and transfer paper to the fabric, making sure not to smudge carbon onto the fabric, which is easy to do if you are not careful.

4. Using a ballpoint pen (or stylus), trace over the pattern, pressing down hard to ensure the pattern transfers to the fabric (1).

5. Remove some of the pins to check that the pattern has transferred successfully; if not, re-pin and go over the pattern again (2). 

6. When the carbon outline is visible on the fabric, remove the pattern, and go over the carbon outline with a ballpoint pen to leave a more permanent pen outline; this ensures that the pattern stays on the fabric once you begin stitching, as the carbon can easily be rubbed off over time (3).