One of those genuinely clever solutions to a long-standing craft problem — paper that dissolves completely in cold water, leaving no trace, no residue, and no marks on the fabric or work beneath it. Colourcraft Cold Water Soluble Paper is a versatile embroidery and textile craft aid with a straightforward and elegant function: it allows designs, patterns, and templates to be transferred to fabric and used as a guide for stitching, before dissolving completely when rinsed in cold water once the work is complete.
The most common and immediately useful application is machine and hand embroidery. Print a design directly from a computer and printer onto the soluble paper, place the paper on top of the fabric, stitch through both the paper and the fabric following the design, then rinse in cold water — the paper dissolves, leaving only the embroidery. This eliminates the need to transfer designs onto fabric by hand, which is particularly helpful for intricate or detailed patterns, light coloured fabrics where marks would show, and textured or pile fabrics such as velvet where drawing is impractical.
It is equally useful for lacework — the paper provides a temporary backing that supports fine thread work during stitching and then dissolves to leave the lace freestanding. For quilting, appliqué, and general fabric work it acts as a temporary template that guides cutting or positioning and then disappears without any ironing, tearing, or scraping required.
The paper can also be drawn on directly with a pencil or pen, traced over, or used as a transfer medium for any design that can be applied to its surface. Because it dissolves completely in cold water with no residue, there is no risk of leaving marks, staining, or weakening the fabric — a significant advantage over carbon paper, iron-on transfers, and other transfer methods that can leave permanent traces.
Dissolves in: Cold water
Applications: Machine embroidery, hand embroidery, lacework, quilting, appliqué, template making
Printing: Compatible with standard inkjet printers
How do you use soluble paper for embroidery?
Print or draw your design onto the soluble paper. Place it on top of the fabric and secure with pins or a small amount of temporary adhesive if needed. Stitch through both the paper and the fabric following the design. Once complete, rinse the piece in cold water — the paper dissolves completely, leaving only the embroidery on the fabric with no residue or marks.
Does it work with all embroidery techniques?
Yes — it is suitable for hand embroidery, machine embroidery, lacework, and free motion embroidery. For lacework, the paper provides a temporary backing that supports the thread structure during stitching and dissolves to leave the lace freestanding.
Can it be printed on a standard printer?
Yes — the paper is compatible with standard inkjet printers, allowing designs, patterns, and templates to be printed directly from a computer. Load it carefully into the printer tray and print at standard settings.
Does it leave any residue on fabric?
No — it dissolves completely in cold water leaving no residue, marks, or weakening of the fabric. This is its significant advantage over other transfer methods such as carbon paper or iron-on transfers.
