tips and tricks: transferring markings with carbon paper

This is one of my favorite uses for carbon paper and a tracing wheel, and I don’t think I’ve ever shown it to you.

 

transfer-pattern-markings-to-wrong-side-of-fabric

 

Cut a small piece of carbon paper from your big sheet. A piece of carbon about approximately 8″ x 4″ will work well. Fold it in half lengthwise, carbon side out. Then when you need to transfer pattern markings to the wrong side of your fabric (like at a dart), slip the folded carbon paper between the two layers of fabric and trace the lines and markings with your tracing wheel. The carbon will transfer those lines to your fabric! This is a great way to get a very accurate transfer with minimal effort.

It’s a good idea to use the lightest carbon color that’s still visible, so it might be a little hard for you to see my yellow markings in this photo, but they’re clear enough for me to see when I sew the dart.

You can re-use your little folded piece of carbon paper over and over again, so keep it in your sewing supplies along with your tracing wheel.



 

5 Comments

  1. Ann

    This is how my mom showed me to transfer darts! She made so many outfits for me when I was little. What a nice, unexpected trip down memory lane.

  2. Cherie

    Yes!!! I do this ALL the time!

  3. Liesl, this is brilliant!!! I never thought of using a carbon on the fold.

  4. I love carbon paper but I have never seen this method!
    Thank you!

  5. susan vh

    You took me on a trip back to the late fifties when I leaned to sew as a child. Now, a watersoluble ink tracing paper would fit the 21st century for sure!!!

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