Here’s a tutorial on transferring patterns to fabric using freezer paper:
How To Draw On Felt: 5 Ways! Freehand Tracing, Stencils & More
Learning how to draw on felt is a useful skill to know, as it can be used in many ways when working on your craft project.
Drawing on felt is a great way to plan out your felt embroidery design. You can also doodle on your felt fabric to add cute details to your stuffed toys, home decor, and more!
So how do you draw on felt exactly? The simplest way is to draw directly onto your fabric using permanent or erasable fabric pens.
Not sure how to go about drawing on felt? No worries – I’ve been sewing since I was 11 and I love helping out my fellow sewists with beginner-friendly tips.
In this guide, I’ll share with you how to draw on felt material. We’ll also go into alternative methods to drawing on craft felt fabric, like using freezer paper and iron-on transfer paper.
Let’s get started!
How To Draw On Felt (Freehand Tracing, Stencils & More)
How To Draw On Felt Fabric: Basic Techniques To Use:
How To Transfer An Image Onto Felt Without Drawing On Felt
Drawing On Felt: Tools You’ll Need
How To Transfer Embroidery Pattern Onto Felt
How To Paint Felt Fabric
How To Decorate Felt Fabric
How To Draw On Felt Material: Useful Tips
Where To Get Felt Fabric
How To Draw On Felt FAQ
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How To Draw On Felt Fabric: Basic Techniques To Use
Are you wondering how to transfer a pattern onto felt? Or are you looking to add some hand-drawn details to your design? Either way, you can use these techniques:
Freehand Tracing
Yup, you can draw your pattern directly onto the fabric!
The best way to draw on fabric freehand is to draw with a light hand. Don’t press too hard on the fabric – you might end up stretching or poking a hole in the felt. Try to draw without stopping, as the pen is less likely to bleed into the fabric.
Learning how to draw a pattern on fabric and how to write on felt fabric takes practice but you’ll get the hang of it in no time.
Use a permanent fabric pen if you want the design to remain on the fabric (if you’re drawing details, for example). Use an erasable fabric pen if you’re planning to erase the markings when you’re done. For dark-colored felt, use tailor’s chalk.
I know what you’re thinking! Yup, you can also use regular markers like Sharpie on felt, but I recommend sticking to fabric pens if you can, as non-fabric pens can bleed and stain the fabric.
Here’s the step-by-step guide on freehand tracing:
Step 1: Draw or print a pattern to use as a drawing guide.
Step 2: Prepare your felt fabric (lay out on a flat surface, get your cutting tools ready…).
Step 3: Draw the pattern onto the felt fabric.
Here’s a quick look at marking your fabric with chalk and pen:
The freehand method is good for drawing simple outlines but if you’re working on a design that needs precision, freehand tracing isn’t the best option.
Stencil Method
You’ll like the stencil method if you want an easy way to get more precise drawings on your fabric. Using this method, you’ll learn how to draw on fabric by creating a stencil out of your pattern paper.
Here’s the step-by-step guide on the stencil method:
Step 1: Draw or print a pattern to use as a drawing guide.
Step 2: Cut the pattern paper according to the design.
Step 3: Place the pattern piece onto the fabric. Pin to secure it – or check out other ways to secure your felt in this post.
Using the stencil drawing method is perfect if you want to make symmetrical animal facial details on a plushie or if you want to embroider lettering on felt in a straight line, this method works better than freehand tracing.
Here’s a cool idea you can try for making your own stencils:
How to Use Tracing Paper: 9 Steps
Tracing paper is a versatile and essential tool to have in your artist toolbox. It is a semi-transparent and lightweight paper used for transferring drawings, refining ideas, or creating layered artwork. Here, we’ve outlined nine steps to help you use tracing paper effectively.
1. Gather Your Materials
Before you start, gather all the necessary materials, including:
– Pencils, pens or fine-tipped markers
– Original image or drawing
2. Prepare Your Workspace
Ensure that you have a clean, clutter-free workspace with adequate lighting. It’s important to have a comfortable environment when working with tracing paper, as it requires focus and precision.
3. Secure the Original Image
Place your original image or drawing on the work surface. You can use a small piece of tape on each corner of the image to keep it secure while you trace.
4. Position the Tracing Paper
Place the tracing paper directly on top of the image. Ensure the entire image is visible through the tracing paper and that the paper edges are aligned with the original image to avoid distortion. If desired, lightly tape the tracing paper in place.
5. Choose Your Tool
Select your preferred drawing tool from pencils, pens or fine-tipped markers for better control and detailed work.
6. Begin Tracing
Using your chosen tool, begin to trace over the lines of your original image. Apply consistent pressure to achieve clean lines and maintain even strokes throughout. Remember to take your time and ensure accuracy for better results.
7. Complete Your Traced Image
After you’ve traced over all necessary lines, double-check for anything you might have missed or any mistakes that need correcting.
8. Remove Tracing Paper
Carefully remove any tape used and lift the tracing paper from the original image. Be gentle in handling the traced image as graphite or ink might smudge.
9. Apply the Traced Image to Your Final Project
Now that you have your traced image, use it as a reference for your final project or transfer it to another surface. You can cut the tracing paper to size if needed, or use a lightbox to make transferring easier.
With these nine steps, you’re well on your way to mastering the art of using tracing paper. Practice and patience will lead to improved accuracy and precision in your artwork. Happy tracing!
