5 Simple Ways to Transfer Embroidery Patterns to Fabric

There isn’t one right way to transfer embroidery patterns onto fabric. As with anything in embroidery basics, experimenting is the best way to find what works best for you. Once you discover your go-to method, you’ll likely stick with it—but it’s always helpful to know multiple techniques.

Sometimes, a different approach might be better depending on the fabric or design. I have two favorite methods that I rely on most of the time, but it’s great to have options, especially if you’re just getting started as an embroidery beginner.

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5 Ways to Transfer Embroidery Patterns to Fabric

1. The Window Method

Using the window method is a lot like using a light box but you don’t need any special equipment and it won’t cost you anything. You just need your printed pattern, pen or pencil, tape, and a bright window.

Note: If you’re stitching to something like a t-shirt, make sure you’re tracing on the front of the fabric, not the inside of it.

1. Hoop your fabric. If you’re going to stitch your design on something like a t-shirt, set it on the hoop so the inside of the shirt is on the front of your hoop. I know it feels backwards, but this will set things up so you can trace your design against a hard surface.
2. Trim your pattern and tape it (with the design facing down) to the front of your fabric.
3. Place the front of the hooped fabric against a bright window and trace the pattern on the back with your pen or pencil.
4. Un-hoop the fabric when you’re done and re-hoop it so the tracing is on the front.

I typically use an HB pencil for this transfer technique. HB is about perfect — not too hard or too soft. If it’s too hard it can sometimes be difficult to trace, and if it’s too soft it can smudge. Make lines light but dark enough to see.

You can also transfer it without the hoop, but the advantage of using a hoop is that it will keep your fabric nice and tight. It will not only make tracing easier but it will make sure your transfer doesn’t end up looking warped.

3. Heat Erasable Fabric Pen

You don’t need a special pen to transfer embroidery patterns but if you want to try them there are heat erasable fabric pens. Just iron your finished embroidery and the heat will magically erase your pattern.

There are also washable fabric pens and some embroiderers love using them but I’m personally not a fan as I have better control with a simple pencil. With washable pens the ink disappears with water but I can sometimes still see a pale blue hue. A thin pen or pencil works just fine, and when all is said and done your stitches will cover the marks nicely.

Sticky Stabilizer

Another method that helps you transfer embroidery patterns is the use of a dissolvable stabilizer such as Brothread Sticky Water Soluble Stabilizer, which you can hand draw or print on.

This stabilizer comes in 8.5 x 11 inch sheets (as well as in a roll of 12″ x 6 yards) and is self adhesive. Just print your pattern, peel off the backing and stick it to your fabric. Stitch over it and soak in water to dissolve it away. It’s simple to use and it’s a great solution for transferring designs to thing like shoes which may not be as easy to transfer onto using other methods.

This method is a bit pricier compared to other methods, but the convenience can make it worthwhile. If you plan how to utilize the space carefully however, you’ll be able to get a ton of use out of it!

Learn how to use it here.

Transfer Paper

To use transfer paper (or wax free carbon paper) you’ll need a stylus or ball point pen.

Lay your fabric on a hard surface & tape down. Tape your transfer paper over it. Then tape your pattern over the transfer paper and trace with your stylus, or embossing pen.

Be sure to get the correct type of transfer paper. Some are waxy and can be difficult to transfer and the lines will be hard to remove so any random marks may not disappear. You’ll also want to use a hard surface as you trace so you can get as sharp a tracing as possible.

This method is great when your fabric is dark.

You can also hoop it to keep the fabric tight. Simply hoop your fabric, set trimmed carbon paper (chalk side facing the fabric) to the inside of your hoop. Then set your template on top of it. Tape the edges, and trace.

Before you remove your template and carbon paper, lift a corner to make sure you didn’t miss anything. It will save you a lot of headache.

Transfer Embroidery Patterns Using Spoonflower

I have a Spoonflower shop and I absolutely love, love, love using them for both my fabric designs and embroidery patterns! Not only is it easy to upload my patterns but I also get to choose my fabric. I love their signature cotton fabric which is perfect for embroidery!

Keep in mind that in order to use this method the design you upload has to be your own and they will ask you this before you’re allowed to use their service. It’s a good thing because it protects you and other creators… another reason to love Spoonflower!

While you can order an 8 x 8 inch swatch which is the perfect size for small designs I often order a yard of fabric so I can have multiple patterns printed at once which is more cost effective.

To transfer embroidery patterns onto fabric using Spoonflower your file needs to be a jpg, png, gif, and tif files, and upload is easy! You’ll be able to see how your fabric will lay on your swatch, fat quarter, or yard before you purchase it. It does take a week or so to get your order but I think it’s worth the wait. This option also allows you to add color to your patterns which adds a little extra magic!

This is a great option if you create your own designs.

My Favorite Method

Of the five transfer methods, I recommend the old-fashioned window method—it’s simple, inexpensive, and doesn’t require any special materials.

The stick & stitch stabilizer is another favorite because it lets me start my embroidery project quickly without much prep, but the stabilizer is a bit pricey, in my opinion. However, my absolute favorite method involves using a home printer. It’s fast, easy, and creates a precise transfer. That said, not everyone has a printer, so I’ve made a separate tutorial for this technique.

With the printer method, there are some size limitations since you’re restricted by the maximum print size your printer allows.

To use this method, you’ll need a standard home printer, 8.5 x 11-inch sticker paper, and a pair of scissors. Simply adhere your fabric to the sticker paper, trim as needed, and print your design directly onto it. There are a few extra details to keep in mind, so I put together a full guide on how to transfer your pattern using a home printer—including a quick video tutorial. Take a peek!

Have fun experimenting with these methods!