Brilliant, crafty people — I need your brains and ideas:
I’d like to embroider a part of a photo— not embroider onto the photo directly, but recreate it on fabric with thread. I have tracing paper, pencils/pens and can use the tools at DMS later today. The transfer pencils don’t seem to cleanly recreate the image on the fabric — even after I use a hot, dry press. The pencil that works makes a really wide, difficult to clean pink line on the linen. I worry I won’t be able to cover it with the thread and haven’t been able to wash it off following the directions. The YouTube suggested worksround seems to include another trip to Joann’s to get transfer paper. Any ideas that might not include that? Or is there a spare piece of transfer paper floating around in creative arts/sewing I can use?
Thank you!! Even though this video uses a drawing — this is where I got the ideas for all the different ways to transfer an image to fabric. (https://youtu.be/PEaIIYZo_SU)
Could you print your photo onto dye sublimation paper and then dye sublimate it onto your fabric … and embroider over it? You could reduce the opacity of your “original” image when you print it so you have something fainter to embroider over.
I know some advanced software packages let you load a photo, indicate the number of colors (threads) to use (and also what thread manufacturer so it knows what colors it can pick), and it will automatically generate output using those parameters.
I have some transfer paper I could drop off tomorrow with your name on it and leave it in the fine arts section.
Personally for me, I did a light box transfer with my thread painting, it was difficult and I used a sharpie pen. So VERY little room for error. Don’t recommend.
I am in absolute AWE of your piece — literally jaw-dropped awe. That would be amazing if you’re able to drop off the transfer paper — I tried a light box, which helped with outlines but I need more of the details. I’ll probably be there tomorrow — but definitely all day Thursday and Friday. Thank youuuu!!!
Sounds like you have a solution, but a suggestion for future endeavors: Frixon pens. Has a fine line and the line will disappear completely when ironed/exposed to high heat, like being left in a car in TX in September. Also will not bleed onto the thread that I’ve experienced.
Very true on light fabric. However, as a caution, it leaves a white line behind that remains even after washing. IDK if it bleaches the fabric or if it’s permanent residue but be forewarned that it does remain a little bit on dark fabrics.
When I have done hand embroidery, I have used a Washable fine tip marker and a lighted pad. The ground was cotton fabric and the marker washed right out as advertised. My embroidery was very simple, not like the beautiful and complex dog portrait.
So it turns out I must have used or given away the transfer paper I had, but I do have a few embroidery pens, I have a water soluble one and a heat pen. Would you like to have either of those?
When i embroider, i use a pencil to draw my design, and it usually washes out completely. There is graphite transfer paper, which would leave the same thing a pencil would. That might be worth a try?
I ended up using a washable marker and am making progress! Need to redo bits of the tracing because the light box wasn’t light enough (or, perhaps more likely, my eyes aren’t young enough ) — but I think I’ve got it figured out. Once I’m done, I’ll post my finished product. I’m not naturally artsy but I think this is finally looking good! And thanks @sroriginals for originally teaching embroidery and giving me the confidence to thread paint!
When I have this problem, I put my design against a window (preferably with rising or setting sun coming directly through it). Blue tape to hold it to the window … Works like a champ.
When I’ve done this with a light box and had issues seeing the image to trace onto the fabric I took a thin/medium sharpie and traced my image on the paper first so I could see the lines better.
It also helps a bit if you take the photo into Photoshop or AI and do some editing work there first to remove extraneous details.
Good luck!
I have an in progress painting that I started during Covid and then kinda tucked in a closet. I should get that back out and finish it
) — but I think I’ve got it figured out. Once I’m done, I’ll post my finished product. I’m not naturally artsy but I think this is finally looking good! And thanks 