Last Updated: October 2009

Gel transfers are easy peasy, and I like that they’re generally unpredictable. Even when you slather both fabric and image perfectly, you don’t know what kind of transfer you’ll get until it’s done.  I use Mod Podge, or Liquitex matte medium. Elmers glue can work to great effect, but transfers are not an exact science: Be fearless & EXPERIMENT!!!

This example features matte gel medium spread over watercolor. Just watercolor muslin, let it dry completely, and cover with gel.

While still wet, I adhered a field guide picture of a rose face down and let the picture dry stuck to the watercolored fabric surface.

Using water and a wet nubbly cloth, I rubbed away the back of the picture, and voila. transfer.

It is very faint, yet adds enough dimension to make a great stitching surface.

In carousel, the image was transferred from an ordinary black and white copy onto muslin.  I slathered the copy with gel, then gelled the muslin, and while both were wet, stuck them together.  I put them between 2 books to dry and left it for 2 days.

When dry (and nice and flat), I wet the back of the copy paper with water and rubbed it off.  The horse transferred quite well.  Then I dabbed on watercolor washes until I liked the intensity.  Next, I plan to stitch it up when I get time.  (the image is from a rubber stamp company ad — when I find the name, I’ll list it here to give proper credit!)

This next image “Bring on the Night” was featured in my show: Into the Woods – mixed media embroidery at the Campanella Gallery in Parkville, MO, August 2009. She’s 8.5X10 inches, gel transfer on muslin. I added watercolor and a little fiber & floss to jazz her up. She is still available for purchase: unframed, laced onto matte board: $128.00

email me victoria@freedomofstitch.com  to inquire.

Remember, the best way to succeed with gel transfers is to experiment, and do several at a time to up the odds that one will be usable. There is no one way, and on your journey you may even invent new ways.  The idea is to find YOUR way!

Good luck!