Tracing and Transferring Tools

Different kinds of tracing and transferring tools in hand embroidery
Most of us wonder how to get patterns over the fabric or any base to start working our hand embroidery stitches. Some of us are good at making our own patterns. Certain pens or pencils will work for them. Some others like to use patterns from books or the internet. They need to use transferring tools for that. I will show you what are the common tracing and transferring tools used in hand embroidery. You are welcome to add more in the comment section and I will update this page with that information with the credit to you.

Pencil: A pencil can be used directly over your fabric. Use a slightly blunt pencil to avoid piercing into the fabric, and keep it light. Use it for patterns with simple and minimal strokes to avoid mistakes and drawing over. Drawing after mounting the fabric on a hoop will be more comfortable.	Water-soluble pen: This tool is great if you want to wash away the traces. Draw directly over the fabric using this pen. The trace would stay for a long time to allow you to finish your stitching. Then, just wash it in cold water and mild soap to get rid of the traces. You can afford to make slight mistakes as the strokes can be washed off. Drawing after mounting the fabric on a hoop will be more comfortable.
Air-soluble pen: This tool works great for small projects that you do not intend to wash. Draw directly over the fabric and start stitching. Ensure to finish the project in 2 or 3 days as the ink tends to disappear completely by the end of 3 days. Heat-erasable pen: This tool is a wonder. It stays for a long time on the fabric and erases with the application of heat. Draw or trace directly over the fabric using this pen, and start stitching. Once done, run a mildly hot iron over the fabric and see the ink disappear magically.
Iron transfer pencil: This is a great way to transfer patterns. Draw or trace a pattern over the paper using the iron transfer pencil. Then, place the pattern faced down on the fabric and run a hot iron over it. The pattern on the paper gets transferred onto the fabric! Note that the pattern will be reversed when transferred. So, you might want to draw the pattern in reverse to get it right on the fabric.	Tailor’s chalk: This tool has been traditionally used by tailors to mark their cutting lines on the fabric. These chalks are available in the form of pencils too, making them useable for embroidery pattern making too. It comes in various colors and so, can be used to mark over dark fabric too. It can come off easily and might require remarking. It can be washed off easily too. I suggest using the Tailor’s chalk on larger patterns and geometric designs. Avoid using it on patterns with a lot of details.
	Graphite Sheets: This is a great way to transfer patterns onto the fabric. Trace, draw, or print the desired pattern onto paper. Then, transfer the pattern onto the fabric with the use of graphite or carbon sheets. They come in various colors, like red, blue, or even white. Sometimes, you can reuse the sheets! Learn how to transfer patterns using the graphite sheet.
Lightbox or window: This is a clever way to transfer your pattern onto the fabric. Place the fabric over the pattern and pin them together. Hold it against a glass window that is well light so that the light shines through. Use a pencil or one of the drawing tools to trace the pattern, that is showing through, over the fabric. If you do not have a well-lit window or you usually work during the night, a lightbox will help you with the technique.

Buy these transferring tools from Amazon:

1. Water-soluble Pen.
2. Air-soluble Pen.
3. Heat-erasable Pen.
4. Heat-Transfer Pencil.
5. Dressmakers Pencil.
6. Graphite Sheets.

Learn more about the tools used in Hand Embroidery along with 306 stitches from our 600-page eBook!