So you want to start embroidering. While you can start almost anywhere, I think the best way to start is by picking your pattern. After all, this dictates your color choices, both thread and fabric. There are a few different techniques to get the pattern on the fabric, and they depend on how your pattern is delivered. Here are a few:
- Iron-on patterns. You buy these patterns ready to go. They have been printed reversed with a special ink that is transferred to your fabric when ironed. Aunt Martha’s Hot Iron Transfer Patterns are classics in the genre.
- Iron-on pens and pencils. These are a way to create iron-on patterns yourself by tracing your design with the pen or pencil and then ironing the design on the fabric. Sulky has a line of pens, and on their web page they have an instructional video clip. Some sets also come with tracing paper.
- Transfer paper. There different kinds of transfer paper. Some are wax-based, some are carbon-based, and some are made of an ink that disappears with time. A lot of the choice of tracing papers is dictated be what will make a line on the pattern that contrasts with the color of the fabric. Know that if you use tracing paper you’ll also generally need a stylus or tracing wheel. About.com has a tutorial on using Dressmakers Carbon.
The Embroidery patterns… getting them to the fabric by FasterCraft, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.
