The transfer of handsome frog - step-by-step

How I got from A to B..... I started with 5 layers of fabric plus interfacing and put them in a hoop.  Getting the frog image on the lace would be the biggest challenge.  I used my cut-away transfer method and put it on the back.

Before I can even start there are two absolutely crucial things I always do..

1.  I always apply tricot interfacing to the back of the fabric to prevent fraying... It MUST be tricot...and this tip I learned from Allie and will forever be grateful.


2.  You MUST make a reverse copy of your image so it will appear correctly on the front of your piece. If you look in options or preferences all printers can do this... Sometimes it is referred to as a "mirror" image.

The last time I tried to explain this process I was asked "How do I know where to start?"  And now I think I have the perfect analogy..... "The cookie approach."  If you give a child a bunny cookie, most children will bite off the ears first...  Maybe some will bite off the tail first...

But they will bite off parts in bits.....and it really matters NOT where they start... The same is true of cut-away transferring.  It matters not where you start as long as you do it in "bites" of bits.

1. I cut out my reverse image of my frog and trace all around.

2.  My first bite I cut away will be his foot.  I put the footless frog back on top of my image and trace the line where I cut away.

3.  I keep repeating this process of removing bits.  Next I removed the large part of his back leg... Put it back on the image and trace the cut away area..

The next two will be his front leg and then his belly area.  So in 5 quick steps I have added my image to the back of my piece.

Once I have it traced I baste it  and the correct image is on the front of the piece.

I then start doing a VERY TIGHT chain stitch around the  basting lines with strong thread.  I use a cobbler's thread or a strong quilting thread.  This chain stitch secures all the layers well and will enable me to cut the frog out without fraying...

After the chain stitch is done I could cut away the top layer of lace and start adding the cording... Once the cording is stitched on top of the chain stitch and the beading is done, I can cut the entire frog out (all layers) and applique it on my project.

You can use this technique to apply an image to the front of your piece as well but it would mean making marks on your fabric...something I am always hesitant to do...