Tips, hints and ideas for machine embroidery.
Supporting Products and links: Some of the links below may be affiliate links.
We make a small commission on sales through the affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. Thank you in advance
for your purchase and your support! Please see our full Affiliate
Statement for more information.
Our 10 tips for success with freestanding lace machine embroidery projects along with photos of projects.
Needlepointers.com Associate
|
|
Before machine embroidery on a project, test stitch the machine embroidery design on muslin or old towels.
Embroidery Library
|
|
Do you have trouble getting embroidery centered and lined up on shirts? The Embroiderer's Helper tool can help you get the perfect embroidery placement every time! Learn more about this tool!
Needlepointers.com Associate
|
|
When machine embroidering a ready-made garment, roll up excess fabric around the hoop and secure it with safety pins.
Creative Machine Embroidery
|
|
|
Store embroidery hoops in a vertical desk organizer.
Needlepointers.com Associate
|
|
Always use the same thread in the needle as in the bobbin when embroidering lace, since both threads will be visible.
Creative Machine Embroidery
|
|
When removing water-soluble stabilizer from freestanding lace design, add a drop of two of fabric softener to the water to soften the lace.
Creative Machine Embroidery Magazine
|
|
Always use a frame closest to the size of your embroidery, the firmer the better.
Bizzi B's Embroidery
|
|
|
Always remove jump stitches before removing the project from the hoop.
Creative Machine Embroidery Magazine
|
|
Keep your Thread and Machine out of direct sunlight. It can dry and fade your thread but, it can also damage the screen on your machine.
Angelic Stitches
|
|
There are usually Jump stitches in embroidery's which are mostly unavoidable, it is easier to trim them after embroidering each color.
Bizzi B's Embroidery
|
|
If you find areas of your completed embroidery where stitches have skipped, or the bobbin thread shows through on the top side of the design, use a permanent Pigma Micron Pen in a matching color to fill in the blank spots of your design.
Nancy's Notions
|
|
|
If the design is dense, it can cause pucker, so consider what fabrics are approriate for the design . Stabilizers can only help so much.
Jennys Sewing Studio
|
|
This tip will show you a stabilizer substitute when embroidering machine embroidery designs.
Needlepointers.com
|
|
Consider the thread you are using and how you will care for the garment after the embroidery is done. Polyester embroidery threads are able to accept bleaching. Rayon threads are more shiny and decorative but not as strong.
Jennys Sewing Studio
|
|
Sewing with metallic thread can be frustrating! Our quick tip can help!
Needlepointers.com Associate
|
|
|
Needles come in a variety of sizes to suit the different fabrics you embroider on. Using the correct size needle can greatly effect the outcome of the quality of your project. If you are embroidering on toweling, denim or other thicker fabrics you will need to make sure you are using a heavier duty needle. Likewise if you are embroidering on a light weight material or stretch material you will need a smaller type of needle.
Sew With Lisa B.
|
|
If the design comes with a printed information sheet, print the sheet and place it in a protective sleeve in a binder. Binder should be organized by categories; such as baby, animals, Christmas, redwork, floral, etc.
Needlepointers.com
|
|
One of the most important techniques for creating professional look embroidery is pressing. Always press from the wrong side so you do not crush or melt the thread.
Creative Machine Embroidery Magazine
|
|
Clean up spray adhesive residue using hand sanitizer gel. It quickly softens the glue and wipes off in a flash.
Creative Machine Embroidery Magazine
|
|
|
Cut-away stabilizers should be used for knit fabrics, thereby preventing the fabric from stretching as the design is sewn.
Betsy's Wine Country Designs
|
|
Usually for stretch fabric (like knits) you will use a cut away stabilizer. Since there is a lot of stretch in your fabric you will need a stabilizer that will not stretch in any direction and this is when a good quality cut away stabilizer comes in handy.
Best Embroidery
|
|
To keep stabilizer rolls organized, place a different colored hair elastic tie around each stabilizer type. Keep a chart handy noting each color and the type of stabilizer.
Creative Machine Embroidery
|
|
Use a wooden or metal wine rack to store stabilizer rolls.
Creative Machine Embroidery
|
|
|
Don't waste stabilizer scraps after machine embroidering a project! Use them. Watch this quick tip to learn how.
Needlepointers.com Staff
|
|
A quick tip on how to storage machine embroidery stabilizer.
Needlepointers.com
|
|
Do you have trouble storing stabilizers? Do you have trouble identifying the type of stabilizers? A solution is to use empty bathroom or paper towel tubes to storage and identify them. Cut the tube lengthwise, insert the stabilizer into the tube, write the type of stabilizer on the tube.
Needlepointers.com
|
|
Don't toss those plastic wrap and foil containers. You can recycle the boxes as a tear-away stabilizer storage and cutting tool.
Needlepointers.com Associate
|
|
|
When you are machine stippling, use bankers' rubber fingertips to keep hold of your material.
Embroidery Library Projects
|
|
If your thread breaks a good deal of the time, first check to see that your machine is threaded correctly; secondly, make sure your needle is in good shape. This is also where a good superior thread comes in handy.
Angelic Stitches
|
|
When embroidering dense designs and the thread breaks, reduce the machine speed for best results.
Creative Machine Embroidery
|
|
Keep your embroidery thread out of direct sunlight.
Embroidery Library Projects
|
|
How to organize thread when machine embroidering.
Needlepointers.com
|
|
It is also a great idea to Keep you water soluble stabilizers in an airtight container or a ziplock bag is very handy.
Angelic Stitches
|
|