Lazertran can be used to transfer images onto a range of different surface. Used on fabric, the transferred images offer an amazing array of ideas for the creative embroiderer
by Janice Hay
photos by Alan Bennington

Lazertran is a water-decal transfer paper that is ideal for using with fabrics that are to be stitched, as it is easy to use, and allows the fabric to retain its softness and drape. It may also be transferred onto different surfaces such as paper, wood, wax, stone, glass, metal foil, polymer clay and ceramics.

The standard-version Lazertran is suitable for most fabrics; Lazertran Silk is for use on silk and satin fabrics (the instructions for these are slightly different, and are given with the product). Please note that there is a newer version of Lazertran for inkjet printers, but this is not suitable for stitching into.

Standard Lazertran on cotton fabric was used for all of the examples shown here. Commercial felt (for backings), gold tissue fabric and sheer organza were also used. All hand stitching is worked in stranded cotton.

Copying

Not all print shops will allow the use of Lazertran, so do check first. Recommended colour photocopiers are: Canon, Xerox, Minolta, Ricoh, QMS and Tektronics. Machines that run above 180°C are not suitable.

Top Unstitched sample showing two pieces of artwork, one torn into strips and laid on top of the other before being copied onto Lazertran
Middle Unstitched sample of lettering on sponged paper, which was done before being copied onto Lazertran (a reminder of the importance of reversing the image).
Bottom Unstitched sample showing two separate Lazertran images, one laid over the other. (A wallpaper border was used as a design source).
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Applied to a Lazertran background, 'stamps' cut from Lazertran surround the main image, which is enhanced with stitching and a few beads. Twisted threads frame the image.
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Transferring an image onto fabric

Basic requirements

• Access to a suitable colour photocopier
• Lazertran, standard version (comes in packs of eight A4 sheets)
• A copyright-free photograph, image, or artwork - this will need to be reversed
• Iron, ironing board and silicone paper (baking parchment - greaseproof paper is not suitable)
• White or light-coloured fabric (cotton, cotton-polyester mix or other natural fibres)
• Washing-up bowl or container to take A4 size
• A sponge

What you do

1. Have photos or images photocopied in reverse onto Lazertran paper (on the shiny side). To make best use of your A4 sheet, arrange the images to cover all of it.
2. Cut out the chosen image to the correct size, trimming any white paper from around the edges.
3. Have a bowl of cold water ready.
4. Lay a piece of pressed fabric onto an ironing board (the fabric size should be large enough for the image to go into an embroidery hoop or frame); set the iron to wool/cotton). lay the image face-down in the centre of the fabric, keeping to the straight grain, and iron firmly all over to melt the transfer onto the fabric.
5. Immerse the fabric with attached image in the cold water and wait for approximately one minute; you will see the paper start to slide off the fabric (there may be some curling -up).
6. Remove the fabric from the water and lay it flat.
7. Use a sponge to wipe away any excess adhesive. Allow the fabric to dry.
8. Place a piece of baking parchment over the image and iron well all over to fix it. Do not allow the image to come into contact with the iron.
9. Allow to cool before carefully peeling off the baking parchment.
10. If the image still looks shiny, repeat steps 8 and 9; this will drive the image into the fabric and get rid of the shine.

Shapes can be cut from the image before ironing, to use as motifs.
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Embellishing with stitch
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Suggestions

• Favourite photographs, family portraits, images, artwork, decorative papers or small flattish objects like feathers, shells, threads, or a precious piece of textile, can all be taken to the copier and transferred onto Lazertran. Text may also be used. NOTE: Any white on the image will show as ground fabric after ironing.
• The image can be enlarged or reduced in size when copying onto Lazertran.
• To avoid very straight edges, the image can be torn rather than cut before being ironed onto the fabric.
• Divide the image into small sections to use as 'stamps' (mark out the sections on the back of the Lazertran image before cutting out). Position carefully on the fabric allowing a small border around each one, and iron.
• Shapes can be cut out from the image before ironing, to use as motifs.
• As long as the first layer is light in colour, images can be applied one on top of another. The second layer may take a little more soaking and require careful peeling away. This method can also be used on light-coloured transparent fabrics.

Canvaswork
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Strips cut from Lazertran fabric were woven together and bonded over a Lazertran artwork sample. Running stitches are used to enhance the effect of the weaving.
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Ideas and techniques

The printed fabric can be used stitched or unstitched, for patchwork, quilting, three-dimensional work, book-covers, etc. Use small left-over pieces to make greetings cards or beads. If you are stitching into the image, it's best to use an embroidery hoop to keep a tight tension on the work.

1. Embellishing with Stitch: suitable hand or machine decorative stitches can be used to cover the image completely or to work in small selected areas. Seeding, running and straight stitches, couching, french and bullion knots are all good examples of hand stitches that would work well. In most cases the image will benefit from being enhanced, so emphasise the light and dark areas with your choice of thread colour. Mixing coloured threads in the needle (two different greens, for example) gives a good effect. If you are working with lightweight fabric it is advisable to use a backing fabric to give strength (see Back to Basics).
2. Canvaswork: The image can be transferred onto white canvas to act as a guide for needlepoint. The film sits on the surface of the canvas and is pierced by the needle as you stitch. The image ironed onto white canvas can be used as a design guide only when stitching. The shapes will dictate which stitches are suitable.
3. Beading: The addition of beads always adds extra texture, light and interest. If you want to draw attention to a particular area of the image or to create a focal point, beads are a good way to do this. You will need a beading needle. A good tip is to use quilting thread (already waxed) which helps when threading the needle and to strengthen the process.
4. Layering: The completed image can be hand or machine appliquéd onto a background fabric. This can be another piece of Lazertran-transferred fabric or a decorative fabric.
   a If applying by hand, trim back the white fabric around your image to 1.5cm; turn under the 1.5cm allowance and slipstitch the piece in place.
   b If working by machine, trim back to the image, tack in place (use a fine needle and keep tacking to the edge - needle holes may show in the printed image) and machine around the edge using a zigzag stitch.
   c Alternatively, instead of tacking, use fusible webbing (Bondaweb) on the back of the image and iron into place; use baking parchment under the bottom fabric and on top of the image to prevent it from sticking to the iron.
   d If the applied layer will be enhanced with stitching, appliquéd shapes or beads, place a piece of coloured felt or firm fabric behind the background fabric to give added strength and stitch through all the layers. (If you are using commercial felt, it's always a good idea to steam-iron it first to shrink it slightly.)

Lazertran fabric using mohair threads with actual mohair threads couched freely on top. Felt behind the background fabric gives added strength.
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Trapunto quilting
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5. Trapunto quilting: This is a method of padding the image to create raised areas, which adds an extra dimension to the work.
   a Place a piece of fine backing fabric (such as calico or muslin) under your printed fabric and put them together in a hoop.
   b Backstitch around the shapes to be padded, using threads in shades that mirror the colours of the image (if you outline shapes in only one colour it is less effective).
   c Working on one enclosed area at a time, cut a small slit in the backing fabric only (always make the cut along the straight grain of the fabric - if you cut on the cross, the fabric will become loose and fray as you work).
   d Using a large tapestry needle or bodkin, push small pieces of stuffing into the space, taking care to work into all the small corners and pointed areas; sew up the slit using herringbone stitch before moving on to the next section.

A border created using leftover pieces of Lazertran fabric
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Small leftover pieces of Lazertran fabrics layered with machine couching and seeding, with frayed edges.
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6. Edging: The edges can be finished in a variety of ways.
   a Cut out the image leaving a narrow white border all round, which can then be frayed.
   b Blend the edges of the image into the background fabric with lots of stitching (see instruction 7 below).
   c Ribbon, cord or groups of twisted threads can be couched around the image to create a simple 'frame'. Leaving long ends at the corners gives a tassel effect, adding yet another texture.
   d A piece of hand or machine embroidery could be worked separately with an aperture cut to mount over the image.
7. Blending in: Transfer the image onto fabric, allowing extra fabric all round.
   a Place the Lazertranned fabric on top of a strong backing fabric and mount the fabrics together in an embroidery frame.
   b Select threads to match the colours in the image and work a selection of stitches all around the edge, taking the stitching just over the edge of the image to blend it into the background fabric.
   c In the sample shown here (below) the coloured threads were chopped up to about 1cm long and arranged around the image. The whole piece was covered with a sheer organza and this was fixed in place with free machining. Using various colours of thread to give a feel of the image without copying it in any way (more than one colour was usually used in the needle), hand stitching in straight stitches, detached buttonhole, seeding and french knots were then added. Three strands of stranded cotton were used, but more could be added if a more textural piece was required. When the stitching was completed, the layer of organza over the transferred image was carefully trimmed back to reveal the image. Finally, the image was padded using the same method as for trapunto quilting (see 5).

Beads made with Lazertran artwork fabrics, stuffed with decorative threads and couched to the background.
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Sample showing edges blended with hand and machine stitching
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8. Finishing: The finished piece can be made up in a variety of ways.
   a To make a simple hanging, cut a piece of firm card or board the size of the second layer. Place this behind the embroidery and cover with a slightly larger piece of felt or firm fabric; slipstitch in place all around the edges and sew on a curtain ring for hanging.
   b Alternatively, stretch and lace the background fabric over a piece of firm card or board (see Back to Basics); this can be framed, or simply finished with an applied piece of felt/fabric and a curtain ring, as before.

Useful reading

Transferring Designs by Simon Raw-Rees and Mick Kelly shows how Lazertran can be used to transfer any image onto any surface, from metals and wood to candles and cloth. Available at the time of writing from the Embroiderers' Guild Bookshop. Published by Search Press, ISBN 1903975 20 4.

Suppliers

Lazertran was available at the time of writing available by mail order from:

Art Van Go, The Studios, 1 Stevenage Road, Knebworth, Herts SG3 6AN. Tel: +44 (0)1438 814946; Web: www.artvango.co.uk (A3 and A4 sizes available) contact for prices.

Or visit www.lazertran.com