Читать книгу Animal Embroidery Workbook - Jessica Long - Страница 9

The key to a successful project is a neatly transferred embroidery design on fabric. The best technique for you is going to depend on a number of factors, all of which are touched upon in the following chart. Ultimately, there may be multiple solutions to your pattern transfer “problem,” and it will be up to you to decide which method works best for you. Fabric and sewing shops are full of the helpful tools and products mentioned in this chapter, but using a pen from your junk drawer and a bright window to trace your design can work just as well as any of them. Just remember to test your transfer method and its permanence before you begin.

For a printable PDF of the patterns used in this book, please contact Fox Chapel Publishing at customerservice@foxchapelpublishing.com, quoting the ISBN and title of this book, as well as the pattern or patterns required.

Options in bold are generally permanent, but there are always exceptions. TEST FIRST.

It can be tempting to rush this somewhat boring step, but I encourage you to take the time to do it correctly before picking up your needle and thread. Be sure to read the instructions for your transfer method thoroughly and test all products first. Hand embroidery is a long process, and you will surely regret rushing this important step if you discover an incompatibility after you’ve completed your stitching.

To purchase fabric stamped with the designs from this book, please visit www.JessicaLongEmbroidery.com.

Light Tracing Transfer

I utilized this transfer method for every design you see in this book. Simply use the light from a bright window, lamp, or light board to trace your design to the fabric. Here are the steps:

1. Print and trim the appropriately sized design so it fits on the backside of the embroidery hoop.

2. Hoop up the fabric (see Hoop Up on page for details) and tape the design to the back of the fabric, within the inner embroidery hoop. The fabric needs to be as tight as a drum.

3. Hold up your hoop to a bright light and trace the design. Trace slowly and take breaks when transferring large designs.

Alternatively, tape the design and unhooped fabric directly to a window or light board for tracing. The traced design can warp slightly after hooping up the fabric, so I prefer hooping up first.

Water-soluble fabric markers are great for this tracing method, but remember that your embroidery will need to be rinsed upon completion to remove the guidelines. You can trace using any permanent marker (or pencil) if your guidelines will be completely covered by stitches.

A heat-sensitive pen (such as FriXion® Ball Erasable Gel Ink pens from Pilot®) can create guidelines that can be erased with a blow dryer or iron. They are not specifically designed for fabric use, though, so do use with caution. They are available in many colors, which makes them great for tracing complicated designs with many components or for designating stitch direction on your fabric.

Archival, acid-free inks are the best option when considering the long-term effects of the pens on your embroidery work.

The light tracing method works best for lighter fabrics that light can easily shine through. Trace onto thinner dark fabrics (such as the darker Kona cotton colors) using a chalk pencil or white gel pen (such as Sakura® Gelly Roll®).

Heat and Carbon Methods

Iron-on and carbon transfer methods are great for darker and thicker fabrics when light will not shine through. You’ll need to purchase specialty papers and pencils, so be sure to follow the instructions that come with your products. These methods are often permanent, so you’ll need to cover the guidelines completely with your stitches.

Stabilizers

Printable stabilizers are another great option for thicker fabrics and garments. Simply print your design from your computer onto this paper and stick it on your fabric. This method saves time and sanity when transferring large, complicated patterns and is perfect for people who hate to do any tracing. Always test your fabric first, as this method can leave behind a halo or adhesive that is difficult to remove.

I like to trace designs onto fabric using erasable pens. This blue marker will rinse away with water.

There are so many different pencils and markers available for light tracing on both light and dark fabrics.