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Trick for how to transfer embroidery patterns

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The easiest trick for how to transfer embroidery patterns is so simple – you just print, peel, stick, stitch, and wash away! I always have people commenting to ask what I’m stitching through, and finally here is a post explaining how to use Fabri-Solvy – also known as Stick N Stitch.

If you are looking for embroidery project ideas, check out these posts:

Pin this post for how to transfer embroidery patterns later, here!

The easiest way to transfer an embroidery pattern is so simple - you just print, peel, stick, stitch, and wash away! Check out the details, in this post.

Before you worry about transferring the pattern, check out my favorite hand embroidery tools in this post!

Overwhelmed with what to buy when learning how to embroider? Check out this list of best hand embroidery tools! What you need vs. what's nice to have, this list will have you ready to start embroidering! #embroidery #handsewing

How to transfer embroidery pattern

The only two things you need are Sulky 8-1/2-Inch by 11-Inch Printable Sticky Fabri-Solvy Stabilizer, 12-Pack (which you can buy on Amazon* or on the Sulky website* and add some cotton petite thread in your order!) and a printer – the sheets will work in an inkjet or a laser printer.

fabrisolvy-paper

This product does come on a roll, but it is much easier to print on the sheets! The Stick n’ Stitch* is the same material and just branded for hand embroidery, but they are the same thing.

If you print often, especially PDF patterns, I highly recommend getting a laser model. I love our Brother printer with scan/copy functions*, and only refill the ink maybe once every year and a half.

You can also trace directly on to the sheets, or draw freehand (see how my son used a sheet to embroider his own drawing).

embroidery-transfer-paper

It just peels away – before I used it, I thought you had to iron it on but it has an adhesive back. fabrisolvy-tutorial

You trim around the design and then stick it on. You can reposition a time or two without losing tackiness, but if it is a larger project I recommend doing it in chunks. My ABC embroidery sampler definitely lost some of its adhesive power, after I worked on it for over a year and moved the hoop around a bunch.

If you are using it on wool felt, you might want to consider pre-washing in warm water! I have not had any shrinkage issues, but more densely stitched works that require more hot water could shrink, per the advice of the lovely Larissa at MmmCrafts.

wash-away-embroidery-transfer-paper

Once you’ve stitched through all of it, take it out of the hoop and wash it in warm water. The Fabri-Solvy will just rinse away! Sometimes I have to use my nail a little, in between stitches, but it doesn’t take very long.

drying-fabrisolvy

After I’ve rinsed it well, I lay it out flat on a towel to dry. You can iron it gently afterwards, and then it is ready to hang!

This embroidery transfer method is a game changer for me; my hands shake and trying to trace precisely is a nightmare. Pretty much any embroidery pattern on the blog has used this stuff, it is the best. I really like that it works easily on dark and light fabric, and doesn’t leave any residue behind.

You can see how I used this material for sewing a snake softie and a constellation embroidery, too.

What’s your favorite way how to transfer embroidery patterns? Have you tried the magical Fabri-Solvy*?


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renata

Sunday 15th of January 2023

Not many want to be bothered with the "washing away" thing which can also distort fabric and threads, not to mention the bleeding of thread colors.

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Sunday 15th of January 2023

Obviously everyone has their own preferred transfer method - I haven't had those issues, thanks for the laugh with the fake email though.

Iris

Friday 11th of November 2022

I thought I would love the product, but not so much. I found it leaves a bit of a sticky residue on the needle after a while. Has anyone else had this problem?

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Friday 11th of November 2022

I haven't had this experience, myself, but we will see if anyone else chimes in!

K Hindall

Friday 25th of February 2022

I am very concerned about what Fabri-Solvy is made of, especially after learning that stabilizer is made of microplastics (see Christine Watson's comment on this article). Exactly *what* is Fabri-Solvy? What dissolves? What is hidden in the solution that drains away? Thank you very much for any clarification you can give me.

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Friday 25th of February 2022

Hello! I'm not sure. I assume it is some sort of plastic with the stickiness, but I'll email and ask the manufacturer!

Margaret

Friday 12th of March 2021

Are you sure you can use the Sticky in a laser? Doesn't the glue melt and cause problems for your printer??

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Friday 12th of March 2021

Hi Margaret! I have used it countless times over the past 5 years with my laser printer (Brother brand). The glue doesn't melt with heat in the way that freezer paper or Heat N Bond printable sheets would :)

Linda A Lynch

Wednesday 27th of May 2020

I bought a pattern on this sticky material for the 1st time - If you wash it away after embroidering, then it is a "one time use" pattern. Is that correct?

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Wednesday 27th of May 2020

Hi Linda! Yep, one time use only. I try to fit a few patterns on one sheet using a copier or digitally in Inkscape.

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