[Woodartist]

Another thing Pat, is that if you use masking tape to hold the pattern and transfer paper to the leather....don't press too hard on the masking tape. There will be a bit of adhesive transfer to the leather. Usually it can be rubbed off or taken off with an eraser...but more work than fun

[pat hyndman]

Thanks everyone I tried graphite paper but it did'nt come out very well maybe I will have to invest in a good stylus , I'll let you know what happens. Pat

[Woodartist]

You can get different colors of transfer paper...if that would help? I use Sally's (Saral) Wax free "artists' " graphite paper. I have no affiliation with the company and just use it because it is the best I have found. I have used some graphite papers that didn't even transfer a pattern properly to wood.

[Pyrographer]

Bill is correct that Sally's or Saral is the best. I've had people complain about having lousy results with graphite until they try this. Both are made by Saral and it is the best quality and both are the same just sold in different packaging. I've been using it for many years and have never had a problem with it not showing up or being able to remove it if necessary.

In classes I give students red pens to trace their patterns. Works like a charm and you can see where you left off transferring so you don't have to lift up the pattern and chance that it moves when you put it down. I also recommend using painters tape rather than masking tape.

Again these are all personal opinions based on my experience and not necessarily the only way to do things....just the way I do it and have found what works and doesn't through trial and error!

Nedra

[Irish]

I haven't had a chance to burn on leather ... Yet! But I have burned wood, water color rag paper and gourds. I am planning to do an old pair of blue jeans during the winter break.

For large area tracing on wood where you don't want the tape to pull up any fibers or grain and on water color paper where you don't want to damage the polished surface you can use the bean can method of securing your pattern and tracing paper.

Just like it sounds, head to the kitchen and grab a bunch of veggie and soup cans. Place along the outer edge of your papers. They are heavy enough that your patterns won't move during the tracing and they are re-recyclable ... you can still serve them for dinner.

I have also heard, but not tried, the new Saran Wrap than can be pressed down to cling to anything can be used over paper to secure it.

Bean cans also are great when you need to trace a perfect circle.

Susan

[Pyrographer]

For many years before discovering graphite paper I used wax paper. It works only if you have a good clear pattern but it works very well because you also see where you have already traced.

You place the waxed paper over the pattern and tape the waxed paper over the edges of the wood so you don't get tape on the wood where you are burning or carving. Using a stylus (it works better than pen) start tracing and you will actually pull away the wax so you can see what's been traced. It works like a charm when you have a good pattern.

Nedra

[Woodartist]

Gee Susan, I never burned on jeans but guess if clothing can be burned with an iron, then why not I have some old t shirt rags to practice on and was wondering if there is anything more than just burning at a low temperature??? Wet them first or just do the burn??

[pat hyndman]

Hi could some one post the E Mail address ofsaral's to me please , I tried to mail them to day but the mail just got sent back. I was tring to find out were I could get there wax free graphite paper in the UK ( in Scotland if poss)
thank you Pat

[pat hyndman]

sent this before but it seem's to have got lost.I,am looking for the E Mail address of saral wax free graphite paper , I tried to mail them but the mail got sent back . so if anyone could help me out thatn would be so nice. looking for suplys in the UK. ( Scotland just to cut it short?)
thank you all so much, Pat

[pat hyndman]

sorry I keep putting Q replys , and when I go back they are gone . did you get them or do I post them again. Pat