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*?