Best Way to Transfer a Design

17 years ago

What is the best way to transfer a design

either to fabric or to paper or on to other items

like wood or gourds?

Usually I draw my designs on paper first and then

end up

loosing some of the drawing when I transfer it over

to the finish piece.

I scan everything on to my computer and use Adobe Photoshop 6.0

I also have a light box to transfer designs using tracing paper.

I use a #2 pencil on the back of my drawings and transfer by drawing over the design.

Does anyone have a better way?

Years ago I've used a piece of graphite on the back of the paper. I've tried carbon paper and paper made for fabric.

What's the best way to do this?

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Comments (8)

anjabee
17 years ago
I don't know that it's the best way, but I just use carbon or graphite paper. I have gotten pretty good at filling in spaces that don't quite connect on rounded or curvy surfaces. :) ~Anj
craftylady-2006
17 years ago
I found these instructions to transfer a pattern onto wool or felt
-------------------
The easiest way to transfer a pattern onto wool or felt, is to use wax coated freezer paper. As it's transparent, you can first trace the pattern on the non wax side like it was tracing paper. Cut out the pieces, and then iron the freezer paper pieces onto the wool (wax side down). Make sure you don't press too hard, or you'll flatten out the nice felted wrinkles. You can then cut out your wool pieces perfectly! Tip: you can iron on the pieces several times, so you can reuse the freezer paper pattern saving you time and money.

Sal
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luvstocraft
17 years ago
Welcome Cdo and Doug, You pretty much have it. Once you have your pattern, using graphite works well. Use white graphite if transferring onto something dark and dark graphite for everything else. I actually like my graphite best when it is well used so the lines transfer lighter. Graphite lines are easy to remove also.

The only time I use carbon paper is to transfer a pattern to a wood piece that I am going to cut out. Carbon paper lines are much harder to remove and often show if you try to paint over them. I only use it on the cutting lines.

One neat trick I discovered for fabric like muslin is that if you make a photocopy (make sure you read the copyright statement for your pattern), then you can just iron it onto the fabric. Just have to be careful if there are words--so they won't be transferred backwards!

So tell us more about yourself and the kind of projects you like to paint. Also, we just love to see pictures.

Luvs
houstworks
Original Author
17 years ago
Hi! Thanks for all the help everyone and the nice greeting.

Right now I'm working on dressing up the bathroom.
It doesn't have much in the way of color yet.
I'm working on a design for painting on a fabric shower curtain.
My shower curtain is somewhat thin so I may be able to use the photocopy process that you mentioned Luvs.
It would be pretty fun to try it too!

I am also just in beginning stages of remodeling my kitchen and the rest of our house.

I will try to upload a pic of one of my Christmas Cards to share.
luvstocraft
17 years ago
Wow, did you paint that card? It is really nice. Good luck with fixing up your rooms. Luvs
craftylady-2006
17 years ago
Very nice Christmas card. May I (we ask), which one of the screen names are we talking to here - Cdo or Doug?

Sal
houstworks
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks Sal and Luvs,
Sorry, I forgot to say that I am CDO! : )

CDO
luvstocraft
17 years ago
Cdo, It sounds like you have some pretty big projects to work on. We would certainly love to see pics of them when you get them completed. Things are a little slow on here since the holidays, so we are all eager for someone to post pics of projects. Again, glad to have you joining us. Luvs

Best Way to Transfer a Design

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anjabee

craftylady-2006

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Best Way to Transfer a Design

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anjabee

craftylady-2006

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