Transferring Your Pattern - Learn This Modern Embroidery Technique

A hand draws the pattern onto the hoop.

Introduction 


Here’s my favourite method for transferring embroidery patterns to fabric. It’s great for light- coloured fabrics which you can see through to trace.

Step 1.


Cut out your design template so that it’s a round piece which will fit inside your hoop.

A hand holds the pattern over the dressed hoop.

Step 2.


Grab your dressed hoop, turn it over and place your template face-down on the centre of the fabric. Secure it in place with clear sticky tape.

A hand holds a cellotape in front of the dressed hoop.

Step 3.


Flip your hoop over and take a look – can you easily see the template through the fabric, and is it visible enough for you to trace over? If it’s nice and clear, then jump straight to step 5. Or, if your design template is a bit tricky to see, then go to step 4.

A hand holds a pattern behind a dressed hoop.

Step 4.


Turn on your mobile phone’s flashlight function, then lay your mobile on your work surface with the light beaming upwards. Position your hoop over the top, so that the fabric is facing up. See how this makes the template much easier to see on the front side of your fabric? Now we’re talking!

A phone with a light is held over a hoop.
A hand holds a hoop and the other hand holds a flashlight behind it.

TIP: If you prefer, you can use a brightly lit window as your light source. 

A hand holds a hoop with the pattern in front of a window.

Step 5.


Now, go ahead and trace your template onto the front of the fabric. As you go around the template, move the hoop to position the part you’re drawing right above the flashlight – doing this maximizes the light, making the template stand out as much as possible. Another tip is to press the paper template hard up against the fabric right where you are drawing. Take it slow, and go over all of the template lines with your transfer pen. You don’t need to press super hard or do a thick line – just a clear, fine line works well. And don’t worry, it doesn’t need to be perfect, especially when you’re a beginner!


Just keep going until you’ve outlined the entire template.  

A hand draws the pattern onto the dressed hoop.

Step 6.


Now, you can flip over your hoop and remove the paper template and sticky tape. I often keep this printed copy of the template (it’s sometimes helpful to refer to later as you stitch the pattern).  

A transferred pattern lies on the tables with pattern behind.

Video examples

In this video, I’ve shared my tip about tightening the fabric in the hoop, which I think you'll find really helpful.

Conclusion


So there you have it, all the beginner knowledge you need to dress your hoop. This is something you'll do again and again as you keep making embroidery patterns.


I’m so excited for you! 

What's next?


If you enjoyed learning about modern embroidery, you may also enjoy my Modern Embroidery Foundations Course. 


This course takes you through all the beginner techniques and knowledge you need to make your first beginner pattern, Little Wildflower Meadow! Plus, it includes a beautiful second pattern, Blooming Lovely, which is a fantastic place to practice your newfound skills.


I would totally recommend this course, as it covers more embroidery techniques than just dressing your hoop, and you can also do it at your own place. Plus, this is a great way to hold yourself accountable for your own me-time and continue on your path to becoming a modern embroidery superstar.


If you liked this article, then you may also like this one, 

What Essential Supplies do You Need to Get Started in Modern Embroidery?


So, are you excited to start on your modern embroidery journey?

Here is a beginner embroidery pattern, Little Wildflower Meadow, framed in a hoop. This is available for purchase from the Clever Poppy Shop with the Modern Embroidery Foundations Course.