What you see here is what I use to transfer embroidery patterns. It's also what I use to sketch embroidery patterns. It's just a regular pencil. (This is a little embarrassing for someone who creates patterns to admit!)
But I'm trying some new things; branching out, if you will. So I went to Hobby Lobby to buy my first transfer pen or pencil (I was open to trying either, or perhaps, both).
Funny thing is, I couldn't find either of these tools in the embroidery section. Am I crazy to think that I should have found one or both there?
I don't have a Hobby Lobby around here, and I could not find transfer pencils at Michael's. I couldn't find them anywhere. I ended up ording them from here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.colonialpatterns.com/
Louise
Thanks for the link, Louise! The interesting thing is, Hobby Lobby sells Aunt Martha patterns!
ReplyDeleteNot crazy at all - they should have had something! Maybe try the sewing section (if there's one available; we don't have those here in Australia!).
ReplyDeleteThe best transfer pen I've ever used is from Sublime Stitching. It's an iron on transfer pen. Best. Thing. Ever. And I've certainly tried a few.
Once I started using a transfer pen I haven't looked back! I actually get a lot of my embroidery supplies from http://consumercrafts.com and http://createforless.com You probably don't want to ship just a pen I guess but they have other awesome things to check out! Love your blog by the way!
ReplyDeleteI just had this happen to me! I never know what pencils or pens or anything to buy. I bought my pencils from the quilting section, oddly enough.
ReplyDeleteYou can't find that stuff in craft stores in the embroidery section usually...they don't have transfer stuff at Michael's, but they do at JoAnn's. Try a place where they also focus on sewing or multiple kinds of "needle arts." Also, I often use a pencil to go over patterns that I've transferred using transfer paper, because that stuff just rubs off too easily. So, if a pencil works for you, then I say work that pencil!
ReplyDeleteI once went to a Hobby Lobby in North Carolina and they had "Aunt Martha" brand transfer paper in the embroidery section, but not the special pencil you have to use with it. They weren't out of stock; they didn't even have a peg or rack for it.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, all of these craft stores focus way too much on home decor and impulse buys like seasonal and toys. I usually end up shopping for most of my craft supplies online nowadays. In-store at Michaels, Joann's, A.C. Moore, etc come up short too often, and it doesn't make sense to waste my time (and car's gas!) making trips to them just to be disappointed. Ok, rant over!
I found them at Hobby Lobby in the sewing section, actually. I got a pencil, but I don't like it.
ReplyDeleteI have both a transfer pencil and pen. Found the pencil in a craft store in Manhattan, and ordered the pen online from Joann's. The pen-a Sulky transfer pen, is amazing, and I recommend it over the pencil.
ReplyDeleteThe transfer pens and pencils are typically in the sewing or quilting sections instead of by the embroidery stuff. I find my sulky iron-on transfer pen to be a bit too wide, so sometimes I prefer to just use a window and a regular pencil to trace the pattern thru the fabric.
ReplyDeletenothing like a freshly sharpened pencil and paper for the creative juices to flow!!!!
ReplyDeleteThey are at Hobby Lobby, but not with the embroidery transfers and floss - funny huh? It's been a while but when I picked up mine (which I don't really use) they were in with the embroidery blanks (bibs, aprons, et al...). Take a peek over there and hopefully you will find what you're looking for.
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