DESIGN TRANSFER

There are several tools and materials that can be used for transferring designs.

TRANSFER PENS AND PENCILS

These are either permanent or temporary, and are erasable by air, heat or water.

DRESSMAKER’S CARBON PAPER

This comes in different colours so it’ll show up on different coloured fabrics.

IRON-ON TRANSFERS

These can be bought either singly or in books and can be used more than once.

LIGHTBOX

These are like an illuminated tablet and are worth the investment for easy tracing.

PENCIL

A standard soft pencil can be used to trace a design onto fabric.

WATER-SOLUBLE STABILISER PAPER

Draw or print a design on this, embroider through it, then dissolve it in water.

USEFUL EXTRAS COTTON TAPE

Used to bind the inner embroidery hoop when stitching on fine or delicate fabrics.

LIGHTS AND MAGNIFIERS

Perfect for seeing small stitches close up or for working in artificial light.

SCISSORS

Small, sharp scissors are invaluable for snipping off thread ends. Dressmaking scissors are used for cutting fabric to size.

THIMBLE

These will protect your fingers, particularly when using thicker threads.

THREAD CONDITIONER/BEESWAX

This helps stop the thread from getting tangled, particularly metallic threads.