transfering pattern to t shirt

[harborbill]

Hi gang. Since I am a newbe I'm sure many of you already know this.
I have been experimenting with different methods of transfering patterns to a t shirt or fabric in general. I have tried transfer pencils that you use an iron to transfer the image, I tried using lead pencil on reverse side then drawing over the original lines, and I tried seral transfer paper.
The transfer pencil and iron gave a good image but was a purpleish color and hard to cover with lighter paint colors.
The lead pencil on reverse side worked ok but ruins the original pattern because you have to press too hard to get the image to transfer.
The seral transfer paper gave about the same results as the lead pencil but it also ruings the seral paper from pressing too hard.

Now the best results yet is with a 2B charcoal pencil. Trace the pattern on the reverse side of the paper that the pattern is on. Place the pattern on the fabric, charcoal side on the fabric. Then either use a pen and trace the original image, light touch is all that is needed. I also found that you can also use a warm iron to transfer the image. The same image can be transfered several times before it gets too light.
Now I did not try painting the transfered image yet but will try tomorrow and post the results tomorrow night.
Sorry for the long post but I wanted to explain the other things that I have tried.
Bill

[Cowboy]

Never Messed with the T,s Myself Bill So It,ll be intresting ta see what You come up with . Dont ferget the Pics . CB

[blueflew]

Have you tried placing your pattern between the t-shirt and the board? If you make your pattern lines dark with a sharpie marker and place it under the T, you might be able to see the lines enough to guide your painting. This would only work with a white t-shirt obviously. Just an idea.

[sharonsstudio]

HB great tips... there are so many different ways to transfer and it's always
but I havn't heard of the warm Iron trick.. New one for me Thanks sor sharing.


I use regular chalk, But I draw freehand. I would probably use chalk on the back side of my drawing then trace it onto my shirt. Just my way I'm sure there are other ways like you said.. you just have to do what works for you..

[harborbill]

Blueflew, I have not actually painted a t shirt yet. I have been practicing on cotton fabric because I want to do t shirts for my 2 grand kids. I have tried putting the pattern under the fabric and that would work for patterns that have a good amount of space between the lines but the patterns I want to use, alot of lines are close to each other and can't see them clearly through the fabric.
Tonight I will take some pics of my practice with the image I want to use on the t shrits. Should I post the progress pics here or put them in one of the other forum headings ?
As suggested by Sharon, I willk also take pics of my tip and post them here in this post.
Bill

[Cowboy]

Sounds good Bill , I,d say just post them here so it dont get scattered all over the forum , If need be One of Us can move it else where if need be . Just holler if You need anything . Thanks CB

[redanner]

Thanks for tip harborbill!

[harborbill]

As promised, here are pics to go with my tip.
Choose the pattern you want to transfer.
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o274/scrollerbill/tippics001.jpg
Turn the paper over and trace the image with a 2b charcoal pencil.
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o274/scrollerbill/tippics002.jpg
Lay your fabric or t shirt out ( t shirt would be on a t shirt board)
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o274/scrollerbill/tippics003.jpg
Lay your pattern, charcoal side down on the fabric.
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o274/scrollerbill/tippics004.jpg
Use a warm iron ( I set it on #3 heat) Iron directly on the paper pattern. Keep the iron moving for about 30-45 seconds. With this step you can also retrace the pattern with a ball point pen, just like you would do if you were using carbon paper.
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o274/scrollerbill/tippics005.jpg
Lift the paper pattern and there you have it. Your pattern is transfered to your fabric.
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o274/scrollerbill/tippics006.jpg
That same pattern can be used several times. Each time the transfered image will get light and lighter. Be carefull with the charcoal side of the pattern because it will smudge easily.
I hope this may help some newbes, many of you already know many ways to transfer images.
I'm a newbe myself so tips from me will be rare untill I get more experience.
Bill

[harborbill]

Also as promised, here are just a few of my practice pics. Some are on denim material and some are on cotton material. They are in no particular order of when they were done. I can see alittle progress myself. Opinions, suggestions, good or bad are welcome. Keep in mind that I have only been ABing for about 5 months.
Bill
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o274/scrollerbill/mouseonjeans001.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o274/scrollerbill/karate002.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o274/scrollerbill/samples002.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o274/scrollerbill/samples003.jpg