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.