Iron-on Transfer Hoop Art

Learn how to make a simple hoop art project by using an iron-on transfer. You can easily make several of these to give as gifts this year!

I recently rediscovered the wonder (and magic) of iron-on transfers. They are so ridiculously easy to use and you can make a really nice looking craft in minutes compared to the time it would take to paint or stitch the same design.

For this hoop art craft, I decided to be brave and try out transfer printer paper to see if my own design would work. I have many sketchbooks full of art and patterns I have made over the years. Might as well put them to a new use, right?

For this project, you will need a piece of artwork that you want to transfer to the fabric. I used my own cards and printed the design onto transfer paper rather than onto regular printer paper. Once you have a digital image to copy onto your transfer paper, you’re ready to go.

How to Make Iron-on Transfer Hoop Art

You will need:

• One sheet of iron-on transfer paper (I used Purple Chimp T-Shirt Transfers For Light
  Colors)
• Image you want to transfer
• Muslin fabric (I used a heavier weight; otherwise you will need backing so your stitches don’t show through)
• Iron
• Matching embroidery floss
• Embroidery needle
• Small hoop (mine is 4 inches)
• White pen
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun & glue

If possible, I do recommend compiling several images into one document so you can get the most use of your sheet of transfer paper since it is expensive. (So worth it, though!)

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to print your design onto the transfer paper and iron it onto your fabric. This is very important since each manufacturer will have different tips and hints. For my transfer, I printed it, waited until the ink completely dried, then carefully cut out the flower and stem. Then I turned the transfer over onto the fabric and ironed it for 20-30 seconds.

Once your design has been transferred to the fabric, place the fabric in the hoop and cut off the excess fabric leaving approximately 1/2 inch all around.

Using your embroidery floss, stitch french knots around the perimeter of the design. Add white dots onto the hoop as shown in the picture above. (You could also paint the hoop, but do so before adding the fabric and make sure it is completely dry so you don’t accidentally stain your little masterpiece.)

At this point, I like to flip the hoop art over, tuck in the extra fabric, and hot glue it into place onto the hoop. You could glue a piece of felt over the back of the fabric as well but it is not necessary, especially if you use a heavier muslin.

Honestly, the most difficult part of this project was choosing the design and setting it up to print. It is a really easy craft to make.

I was so inspired by creating my own iron-on designs after this experiment, I made a tote bag design for my Creative Retreat book (included in the deluxe package.) So fun!

Have a lovely {and creative} day!