Ink jet printer meets hand embroidery… and they become friends! I love being able to use modern tools to assist with the embroidery process. Printing designs right onto fabric is a game changer – especially for small designs.

Freezer paper has made the leap into craftland! I remember my mother using it to wrap meat prior to freezing. And I’ve always had a roll kicking around which I have used for other projects (it’s great for cutting precise shapes – more on this later). And now it’s available in 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheets.

I purchased a pack of “The Gypsy Quilter” Applique Freezer Paper from Amazon.ca. Although a little expensive, the package contains 30 sheets – and they go a long way!

If you want to look into purchasing your own pack of freezer paper, here’s the link to Amazon:
https://www.amazon.ca/Gypsy-Quilter-TGQFP811H-Freezer-Weight/dp/B01L1UVMP4/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc-nc-drs1_0?cv_ct_cx=freezer+paper&dchild=1&keywords=freezer+paper&pd_rd_i=B01L1UVMP4&pd_rd_r=b51001ef-1964-403e-b6b7-53b279a43817&pd_rd_w=3dvUQ&pd_rd_wg=bsn3s&pf_rd_p=de811ae4-1502-4735-869d-f89a1c687a78&pf_rd_r=YP0KXA1DVV5EYVNPQ3R3&psc=1&qid=1610468276&sr=1-1-38d0a374-3318-4625-ad92-b6761a63ecf6

Pros

• pattern lines are clean and clear (the image transfers exactly)

• easy to adjust size of pattern

• adjust font to grey which makes the pattern lines invisible when stitched over top

• Thinner fabrics work the best. I’ve had the best results with 100% quilting fabric, calico and high count fabrics.

• You can reuse each page 2 or 3 times (as long as you get good adhesion on the edges)

Cons

• jury is out if you can use a laser printer…

• Maximum size is 8 1/2 x 11″ (that’s how big the sheets are, and I can’t put anything larger through my inkjet printer)

• Thick fabrics don’t work as well (twill)

• the fabric can get stuck in the printer if it is not fully adhered to the paper

• The printer may leave marks on your fabric that you don’t want (especially thick fabrics, or if the fabric gets stuck)

I’ve printed quite a few pages now and I love the transfer – here’s some tips and tricks to help get a good result:

• to minimize a printer jam:
  • trim your fabric so that it is a mm smaller than the paper
  • make sure that no fabric extends over the edge of the paper
  • fabric should have clean, straight edges (no fraying)
• use light fabric (quilters cotton works great)
• make sure fabric is fully adhered to the paper (use a hot, dry iron)
• you can re-use each page at least twice
• lighten your design (50% grey), keep lines as thin as possible

Check out my YouTube Video Tutorial on how to transfer a design using freezer paper: