If you want to trace an embroidery pattern onto your fabric without the fuss of printing it off and using a window or light pad - then good news! If you have an iPad, there's a really easy way. If it's a small design, you could also use your iPhone.
iPads and iPhones have a feature called Guided Access, which is designed to temporarily restrict your use to a single app, and allowing you to control which app features are available - I guess either as a tool to help you focus or to lock kids out of everything but a game!
BUT, embroidery pals, we can use it to freeze an image on our screens and trace it without it zooming or moving or being annoying! How did I not know this sooner?
Video tutorial:
Written tutorial:
First of all, make sure the design you want to trace is saved to the device you're going to use. If you need a new embroidery pattern, then all of my designs are available as instant downloads here.
Then:
On an iPad/iPhone, you want to use Guided Access which locks your iPad apart from the app that is open when you turn it on.
Setting up Guided Access on an iPad:
Go to Settings
Scroll down to Accessibility
Scroll to Guided Access
Toggle the switch next to 'Guided Access' so it is on
Toggle the switch next to 'Accessibility Shortcut' so it is on
Toggle the switch next to 'Touch ID' so it is on (not essential but useful)
Choose 'Passcode Settings'
Choose 'Set Guided Access Passcode' - I just chose 111111 as this is only used to turn Guided Access on or off and doesn't replace your usual passcode for security
Re-enter your passcode as prompted
Choose ' < Guided Access' to go back to the main Guided Access screen
Toggle the switch next to 'Accessibility Shortcut' so it is on (this enables you to hit the home button 3 times in succession to use Guided Access)
Using Guided Access to Trace With an iPad:
Turn your screen brightness all the way up
Open the image you want to trace (either in your photos or PDF viewer like Adobe Acrobat)
Zoom in/out until it's the right size to be traced to your fabric
When you're ready press the Home button 3 times in quick succession to start Guided Access
Hit 'Options' at the bottom left and make sure 'Touch' is toggled to off (I have everything set to off other than 'Software Keyboards')
Hit 'Start' or 'Resume' at the top right
Trace!
Tracing tips:
I use a M&G iErase II heat erasable pen, so when I'm done I can just blow away the lines with a hair dryer.
I trace with my fabric in the hoop, but back to front so the design is in the recess and the hoop can sit flat to my iPad - hard to explain what I mean so here is a photo:
If it's an intricate design and you want to avoid sliding around and things becoming misaligned, consider using some washi tape to stick your fabric down - don't use stronger tape though, you might ruin your iPad!
I'm not sure if you can do something similar on Android/other devices, let me know if you know!
Hope this helps! x