Embroidery Basics 101

Embroidery How To Part One

You can do it. You can turn ordinary into spectacular. The world of embroidery is yours. Personalize caps, polo shirts, and more. Embellish pillows. Decorate with elaborate wall hangings. Whatever you can imagine you can do.

Creating beautiful embroidery is easier than you might think. In this first installment, you will  learn about selecting the right materials. In the second installment, you will discover that like  most things that are worth doing, embroidery is worth doing right. Here are the nine keys to embroidery success.

Begin by acquiring your embroidery machine.

Modern home embroidery machines are amazing inventions. Actually, they are an extension of prior technology. When Elias Howe patented the first sewing machine in 1846, there is no way he could have dreamed of these ingenious machines. They are computer controlled devices that take advantage of the traditional straight stitch sewing and add a robotic embroidery arm. Most of the major sewing machine manufacturers offer combination machines. Choosing the right machine for you can be a challenge. Generally, I recommend the Japanese brands because they offer superior quality and ease of use. These brands include Janome, Elna, Brother, and Baby Lock.

Second, find the project of your desires.

The possibilities are endless. You may wish to promote your club, church, or business with a logo. You may wish to embellish a shirt, jacket, scarf, or gown. You may wish to enhance your home with dazzling pillows, quilts, wall hangings, table runners, or chair covers. Decorative embroidery can enhance almost any project you choose.

Third: The right design is essential.

Stitch formation is controlled by pre-programmed computer files known as designs. These programs create motifs and monograms using combinations of running stitches, satin stitches, and fill stitches. Choosing the right design for your project is critical. Choose the right size, density, and color changes for your project.

Step Four: Choose your hoop.

Your embroidery machine may come with Two or several different hoops. These hoops come in different sizes. Small hoops measuring four inches by four inches are very common. Smaller specialty hoops may also be available, but most machines today come with five inch by seven inch hoops. Larger hoops may also be available for your machine from your dealer or aftermarket sources. It is important to remember, you must match your hoop to your design and your machine sewing field. If your design is programmed for five inches by seven inches, you cannot use a smaller hoop. If your machine sewing field is limited, you will not be able to sew out a larger design. In some cases special software may be used to split designs permitting you to sew out a design with larger designs on machines with limited sewing field. This is achieved through split designs and multiple hoopings.

Then, the fabric and stabilizer must be coordinated.

Embroidery stitches tend to bounce and distort when sewing on flimsy fabric. To fix this problem, stabilizers have been developed. Vacuum cleaner bags, tissue paper, and plastic sheeting have been replaced by better quality products for modern sewing.

Today, manufacturers offer many different high quality stabilizer products. There are two major types: tear away and wash away. Tear away stabilizers come in light, medium, heavy duty, and heavy duty. Wash away products are water soluble. Some products are intended to be used under the fabric and some is for topping. Choosing the proper stabilizer is vital. Fabrics without nap usually only require under stabilizer, but fabrics with nap like terry cloth require under stabilizer and topper as well.

Part one is complete. You have selected the things you need and next will actually sew out your embroidery. Coming soon part two of How to Embroider.