EMBROIDERY WORK.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 5 April 1938, Page 3

EMBROIDERY WORK.

, HOMEMADE TRANSFERS. Many needlewomen would like their embroidery to bear the. stamp of originality, but have great difficulty in finding transfer designs that are in any way out of the ordinary. Some artistic workers make up their own designs and transfer them on to the material by' aid of carbon paper, but this is an unsatisfactory method. Not only does the carbon wear off — which is a calamity if the tracing is at all elaborate—but the material, especially if it is light in colour, becomes soiled in the process. A much more effective way is to paint transfers, the outlines of which will not rub off when being embroidered but will disappear after the first wash. Every needlewoman knows how annoying it is to find the effect of fine stitchery spoiled by the outlines of the tracing.

Begin by copying a design on clean greaseproof paper, and then turn it over and trace the outline. Unless this double drawing is done, the pattern will come out in reverse. Take half an eggcupful of powdered washing blue, add half a teaspoonful of castor sugar, and moisten until the mixture forms a stiff cream. With a finelypointed camel-hair paint-brush colour the- outline of the transfer with the blue, putting it on with oven consistency and thickness,. If it is supplied too lavishly, the heat of the iron will blur and broaden the outline. Hang up the paper to dry and transfer to the material with a moderately hot iron. If the design is need for dark cloth on which a blue pattern would not show distinctly, use a little yellow dye.