I have hand embroidered since I was 8 so I don't need help in the embroidery department it is with transfers. I have vintage iron on transfers and since I wanted to copy them (for my own use) I bought the Aunt Martha's tracing paper that you trace the transfer on to. I have the special red pencil too that you use to trace the transfer then iron onto the fabric. It is NOT working. I have used unwashed100% white cotton fabric you could barely see the lines and not well enough to even make out what the pic is let alone embroider it. I washed the fabric, ironed it on again and still can't see the pic. I then tried a cottom blend wash and unwashed. Still no picture just a little pink so it isn't as if I made a mistake and ironed the wrong side. I re traced the picture so that the pencil was thicker and still nothing. The instructions say to wash the fabric and then use a dry iron on the highest setting. NOTHING is working. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!! I just bought all these things and the transfer were pretty costly since they were vintage I would hate it if I couldn't use them. :cry: :cry: :cry:

Try steam, or you could trace them in the window.

But it says not to steam it I think the steam will melt the pencile and it will be a big mess. If it has to be ironed on to fabric how could it be traced in the window?

If you have a window or a light box you can just trace them with a pencil. I think your transfer pencil is the culprit. Try another brand or two. Or a thin marker that washes out.

On tv, they ironed the fabric first to get it hot, and then applied the transfer to the heated fabric :D:D:D


Also, she said sometimes you may have to let the ink dry, and then go over it again before transferring it.

I would try it on a scrap. I like to had embroider, too! Have not done much lately. I would like to see yours when it is done!

i had that happen to me once also, whit i did was copy the transfer with a pencil press down hard to get it dark then i laid down my fabric on top then i traced with the red transfer pencil i did not have to use the window the dark pencil you can see thru the fabric and make sure it is a iron on transfer pencil and not a marking pencil
it could have been in the right spot but wrong pencil on the shelf

I used my red pencil for the first time last week and it worked like a charm. I drew on cheap printer paper and used my iron on the hottest setting and steam. It only took one little press. Try a different paper maybe? Or sharpen your pencil? Maybe part of the lead was a dud.

What I want to know is do the red marks launder out?

Good luck to you. I'm sure you'll figure it out. I bet those vintage transfers are adorable. Can't wait to see what you embroider.

The one lady is right. Use different paper. I use paper that is used on an exam table and it works like a charm. But also try sharpening the pencil if that fails try this little trick... get a lighter or a match and melt the end of the pencil a little like you do eyeliner. That always works for me. But I usually just trace it directly onto the fabric with a fabric pencil.

And yes the red washes out of the cloth.

Can you trace with a water soluble pen? When you are done with the embroidery just rinse it, just like the real transfers.

One thing I noticed is it takes quite a bit of time for the transfer 'ink' to transfer to the fabric. The iron has to 'sit' on the spot for at least 30-60 seconds, if not longer. Just be careful not to scorch the fabric. Every so often I check by carefully lifting up the corner and if the transfer isn't dark enough for me, I put the iron right back on that spot. I do that for the entire design.

You might want to try tracing paper or newsprint. It's thinner than copy paper and should get hot faster since it isn't as thick.

Your other option is to tape the pattern onto the window pane, tape the fabric over it, and trace the lines with a pencil. Unfortunately this only works with light fabric.

Yes, I think it has to be light weight paper. I did some with copy paper and it didnt work either.

does your red pencil say "heat transfer pencil?" that is what mine says on it and it works like a dream! i use those vinatage patterns often. a regular colored pencil will not work. i also have a heat transfer marker but to me the lines are too thick so i don't use that one too often but it works fine when i do use it.

What brand are you using? All this chatter makes me want to start an embroidery!

Yes it is Aunt Marth's heat transfer pencil.

I tried it using steam even though the instructions said dry iron. It worked, scorched the paper but the fabric was fine. I think because it wasn't working and I re did the tracing on the paper a few times the tranfer lines are really thick. happy I was using test fabric. I will re trace the transfer and make sure the pencil line is not as thick. Thanks for all you help!!!!!!!!

I was having trouble using old transfers with the red pencil---then remembered that I had used a dryer sheet with them. bingo ! the dishtowels need to be washed with no additives. also,they make
an iron-on interfacing that is so thin you can barely see it. but it
makes it so much easier to embroider on thin towels. I just sold all my old transfers in the vintage area of our quilt show. went like hotcakes. smitty