The Easiest Way To Transfer Embroidery Patterns: Fabri-solvy
The easiest way to transfer an embroidery pattern 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. Here, I’m using an embroidery pattern that will be available later this month (for free!), so check back if you need a project to get started on!
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The only two things you need are Sulky 8-1/2-Inch by 11-Inch Printable Sticky Fabri-Solvy Stabilizer, 12-Pack* and a printer – the sheets will work in an inkjet or a laser printer. 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.
It just peels away – before I used it, I thought you had to iron it on but it has an adhesive back. 
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.
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.
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.
What’s your favorite embroidery pattern transfer method? Have you tried the magical Fabri-Solvy*?
[…] Transfer method for the pattern- chalk, tissue paper, or Fabri-Solvy* (what I used, see how to use it here) […]
[…] The easiest way to transfer an embroidery pattern 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 […]
I’ve used this successfully in the past but the last batch from Sulky (same product but sold on a roll) was extremely tacky and gummed up my needle a lot making it very difficult to stitch without cleaning my needle every few stitches.
Rose, I am sorry to hear that 🙁 I hope you let them know so you could get a refund or replacement!
I used FabriSolvy for the first time on something I embroidered for a Christmas gift. I have soaked the piece so many times the Perle thread has faded some, and I still have residue. The directions for the FabriSolvy say to soak the item over and over until the stabilizer is removed. I did not hold the piece directly under running water as you do in your directions, but I am going to try that next. I may end up keeping this gift for myself if I cannot get all the residue out. Despite this, I just started another embroidery project using the FabriSolvy because it is the easiest and most accurate way to transfer an embroidery design. I trimmed the FabriSolvy as close as possible to the design, and will try rinsing it off as you do. Fingers crossed!
Susan,
That sounds frustrating! I haven’t had that happen – I use super hot water and put it directly on. I hope that helps, let me know!
Stephanie,
I had never heard of FabriSolvy. I’m so glad you pinned this. I’m going to start hand embroidery soon and will definitely purchase this product.
Hi Julia! That’s great, I hope you fall in love with embroidery. I’d love to see what you make, if you remember to come back 😀
Hi there! I’m using this method for the first time tonight! I ordered the Fabri-Solvi from Amazon via your link. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I my luck is as good as yours! Thanks for sharing this method!
Hey Amy! Thanks for reading (and ordering through my link!) – I hope you love it as much as I do! I’d love to see what you’ve stitched and hear what you thought, if you want to shoot me an email (stephanie at swoodsonsays.com ) when you’re done! 😀
I want to love this peel, stick & wash solvi! I really do.
I use it mostly on projects that involve knits (t-shirts, etc.) and about 70% of the time I get a residue as well. I find it very difficult to wash the product out completely. And when it dries the finished result is not a clean look. 😕
I will keep trying because I want it to work! If anyone has any tips I’d love to hear them!
Hey Sarah! So, I love sewing knits but I don’t think I’ve ever used this on a knit.. I’ve used it on different wovens from denim to cotton… Are you using a really hot water? Is it residue on the stitches or on the fabric that’s left?
I used 20 sheets today to transfer designs onto a quilt top. Im very disappointed. I did one whole center panel which measures 12 X 40. After all the work of printing and placing the design, when I start to stitch its way too sticky. The needle will barely move. Talk about discusted. Now Im wondering what to do.
Hi Vicki! I am so sorry, that sounds super frustrating. You are talking about hand sewing, and you can’t get the needle through?
Hi. This sounds quite interesting. While I was reading your process, I kept thinking about introducing water to the embroidery itself. Do you ever have colored threads that bleed? Do you ever have shrinkage of the fabric substrate? Do you need to use only cotton, or can you also use wool or linen?
Sincerely, chiara kuhns
Hi Chiara! I have never had any bleeding – but I guess I’ve only used it with cotton floss. I’ve used it on wool felt and cotton without any noticeable shrinkage. Hope that helps!
[…] I only made the three; rhino, octopus and turtle. I used the Fabri-Solvy* as the pattern directed, which made it super fast and easy. Basically you copy/print the design on this sticky interfacing, peel off the backing, stick it on the fabric and sew along the outline. Then warm water dissolves the interfacing and it looks brand new! If you’ve never used Fabri-Solvy, I have a picture tutorial in this post. […]
Peel and stick does not a-“peel” to me. I use the tissue paper method. Print design. Trace with a pencil on tissue paper, baste to fabric, sew/embroider design and using a my fingers or a tweezer , gently pull the paper away from under the stitch line. It takes more time but its worth not gunking up my needles, fiddling with sticky glue mess on my costly fabric or taking the chance of ruining the fabric or the embroidery floss with water.
I have essential tremors so my hands shake – tracing is not my friend 😛 That sounds much cheaper though, I’m glad it works well for ya!