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:
- 15+ free hand embroidery patterns
- 21+ modern embroidery kits
- 13+ online embroidery classes for beginners
- 31+ embroidery sampler patterns
- 25+ Christmas hand embroidery patterns
- 14+ Halloween hand embroidery patterns
Pin this post for how to transfer embroidery patterns later, here!
Before you worry about transferring the pattern, check out my favorite hand embroidery tools in this post!
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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*?
Rose Kauhane says
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.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Rose, I am sorry to hear that 🙁 I hope you let them know so you could get a refund or replacement!
Susan McInturff says
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!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
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!
Julia says
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.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
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 😀
Amy says
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!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
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! 😀
Sarah says
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!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
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?
Vicki says
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.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Hi Vicki! I am so sorry, that sounds super frustrating. You are talking about hand sewing, and you can’t get the needle through?
Chiara says
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
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
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!
Nena says
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.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
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!
Tiffany Tott says
This might just get me to start embroidering! I have never heard of this material before. SO COOL! I love your blog.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
It’s magic!! Whenever I get finally moved in to the new house I can mail you a little set of stuff to try it, remind me!
Tiffany Tott says
Oh I would LOVE that! Sometimes I’m too intimidated to try something new. Can you link to your blog post for embroidery beginners please? How exciting about the house!! Things are coming along!
Rebecca Grace says
OH MY GOSH!!!! I got so excited reading this post that I forgot to breathe and nearly passed out! I am trying to figure out the best way to transfer an intricately feathered quilting design onto my quilt 96 times, and like you, I’m not happy with tracing and I want the design to stay perfectly in place until I’m done with it. Did you ever hear back from the commenter who tried it for quilting about whether she was quilting by hand or by machine? I don’t care — I’m sure my longarm machine can handle stitching through a little embroidery stabilizer. I AM SO, SO EXCITED and I am ordering this stuff RIGHT NOW — and deliberately using your affiliate link. THANK YOU for sharing this crafty goodness!!!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Yay!! I didn’t hear back, I try to publish responses in case other people have the same questions. I feel like it’s really similar to the backing my mom uses with her machine embroidery sewing machine..?? Definitely test it on junk fabric first, please let me know how it goes! I hope well 🙂
Christine Watson says
I devised a method of transferring the design onto wool with fabric stabilizer. It is not what fabric stabilizer is designed to do but it worked for me. Fabric stabilizer is just thin, water soluble plastic, without any ability to stick to the fabric. To get it to stick to the wool, I dampened the wool, placed it on baking (silicone) paper, placed the stabilizer with the design drawn on it into position and put baking paper on top. Then ironed the sandwich quickly.
The dampness in the fabric, partially dissolves the stabilizer and the ironing dries it out before it dissolves too far. The stabilizer is melted onto the wool and you just stitch through it. There is no stickiness and it washes out.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Christine, how interesting! Sounds like a lot of work, but I am glad you like it 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Ebony says
hi, im a complete beginner when it comes to embroidery. did u say that u dont have to print on the fabri-solvi – that you can draw/trace on it?
thanks.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Yep! You can use a pen on it just like paper.
Kristie says
I am just starting out and this looks fantastic! Thank you! I will have to order some and try!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Let me know how you like it Kristie!
Dawn says
I see you recommended the cotton sulky thread as well, do you use that when you embroider?
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Sometimes! It is just one strand, which sometimes doesn’t suit the look I’m going for and I use DMC. It is my first choice, otherwise, it stitches so nicely 😀
Karla Jackson says
I’ve used Sulky Fabri Solvy with my inkjet printer for 2 projects and both times the ink from the printed design bled when I washed out the Fabri Solvy. My advice is to ONLY use it with a laser printer.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Karla, have you contacted Sulky? I have both a laser & an inkjet and haven’t noticed any difference or had this issue, I’m sorry you have 🙁
Linda A Lynch says
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 says
Hi Linda! Yep, one time use only. I try to fit a few patterns on one sheet using a copier or digitally in Inkscape.
Margaret says
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 says
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 🙂