How to Create Embroidery Designs Using Procreate
How to Create Embroidery Designs Using Procreate
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I got an iPad Pro and an Apple Pencil about a few years ago and it’s absolutely changed the game for me. If you’re an artist, this is definitely an investment, but it’s very useful. I like having an iPad because I can use the program procreate to create embroidery designs. It’s awesome because you have so many different tools at your disposal. Below is a video of how I created an embroidery stencil.
The first thing I did was import a reference photo onto the page. Then I used a a 6b pencil to sketch out the design. My favorite part about procreate is that you can create layers so you can reference your sketch without having to go back and erase it. I created another layer and traced over the sketch with a technical pen.
Creating the Embroidery Design
I also sometimes do color studies on the iPad as well which is very helpful and saves time from me stitching something and then having to take those stitches out because I don’t like the color scheme.
The other cool thing about procreate is that you can create image “stacks” that you can export into PDF files. I use this a lot when I create embroidery PDF patterns.
Procreate is a huge program, and I’m only scratching the surface with what you can do with it. If you’d like to learn more about how to use it, this digital illustration class is very useful. If you’re not a Skillshare member and would like to try it out, just sign up through the link for a free trial.
A Fast Track To Improve Your Embroidery Art
- You’re ready to design and stitch beautiful embroidery art that you’re proud of.
- You’ve got some experience under your belt, but you feel like your embroidery could use some work.
- You want your work to look the way you envision it in your head. But it can be a challenge to get your vision down on fabric.
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Transferring Embroidery Designs from Procreate to Fabric
Now the fun part is using the stencil you’ve created and tracing it over to your fabric or to an embroidery stabilizer, such as this water soluble solvy stabilizer!
You can do this one of two ways. You can trace directly on your Ipad or you can print out the design onto printer paper and trace it from there.
To save time and paper, I trace right on top of my iPad. Check out this tutorial about how to use guided access to lock your iPad screen so the touch is disabled while you transfer the pattern.
Place the stabilizer in the hoop, then transfer the pattern directly from the iPad with a marker that doesn’t bleed. I recommend a micron marker.
After the design is transferred, take apart the hoop and sandwich the stencil on top of the fabric. Then you’re ready to go!
There are plenty of other ways to get your design onto fabric, including printing the design out onto embroidery stabilizer. I go deeper into this topic in this post about 6 different ways to transfer patterns.
Amanda is a hand embroidery teacher and artist. With over 15 years of experience in the craft industry and embroidery, she owns and runs Crewel Ghoul, sharing accessible tutorials and patterns to help inspire fellow crafters to get creative. In addition to running this website, she teaches on Skillshare and Youtube.