Top 20 Embroidery Tips - Don't Miss Out!

Top 20 Embroidery Tips Just For You

If you want to discover cool tricks to improve your skills, today we present you the 20 best embroidery tips.

Embroidery tips - before you start embroidering

1. Prewash
If the fabric is strongly colored, it really pays to pre-wash it to remove any excess dye. This is particularly important if the finished item will be washed and the color of the fabric could be mixed with the threads. Washing the fabric before sewing will mean that if it is going to shrink, it will shrink before the embroidery stitches are added.

2. Prepare your tissue
To prevent fraying or the thread from catching on the edges of the fabric as you work, you can use the quick and easy method of folding masking tape around the edges of the fabric. This is great for small projects that won't take you long to finish. If you're attempting a larger project, it's worth spending a little time finishing the edge of the fabric with a zigzag machine or turning the edges and hemming by hand with basting stitches. For a quick option, trim the edges of the fabric with pinking shears. This will give you a zigzag edge that will prevent fraying as you sew.

3. Use the interface
If your fabric is lightweight, press the medium-weight fusible interfacing onto the wrong side of the fabric before embroidering. This makes the fabric more stable and prevents it from stretching and warping. It also prevents back stitches from pulling on the front, giving you a better finish.

4. pressing
Always press your fabric before you start sewing as this will give you a smoother finish and you won't sew any creases into your work.

The choice of materials

5. Patterned fabric
Try using a patterned or patterned fabric instead of a plain fabric. Embroidery on floral fabrics is very effective as it can embellish or highlight certain areas to make them stand out for an effective three dimensional look. These fabrics can also provide a useful grid for your embroidery to follow. Gingham fabric has solid checks that are particularly useful for cross stitching, while spotted fabric is good for shirring or any embroidery stitch that benefits from dotted guides. Ticking or any stylized fabric is also extremely useful as the printed lines can be used horizontally or vertically to keep the seams even.

6. Linen seams
Try sewing on linen that has a slightly uneven surface due to the natural slubs that appear randomly in the fabric, which is part of its natural charm. Linen is made from the inner skin of the flax plant and is typically more expensive than cotton, as it is expensive to produce. It is available in a variety of weaves, weights, thread counts, and colors. It is very strong and absorbent, but it wrinkles very easily, so it is best to iron it when it is damp. As the linen is sewn, it becomes softer and more fluid, but once it is washed and ironed, its crisp texture is restored.

7. Buy scissors
Use the right scissors for your job. Embroidery scissors should be small and sharp to cut the ends of the threads close to the fabric. They can also be used to unstitch or remove stitches if necessary. Dressmaker's scissors are medium-sized scissors used to cut embroidery fabric to size. Make sure they are sharp and are only used for fabric.

Embroidery tips - how to transfer the designs

8. Test your pens
Whichever transfer method you choose, always test it on a small piece of fabric first so you know it can be easily removed.

9. Make your own transfers
Iron-On Markers allow you to create your own transfer pattern from any piece of art. To use them, trace the pattern upside down on plain paper or heavy tracing paper. Place the design right side down on the face of the fabric and press into place until the lines have transferred. These pens and pencils can be permanent so you should try this first.

10. Add text
If you want to add words or letters to your embroidery, write on the fabric in your own handwriting with a pencil or heat-erasable pen. Then just sew over it. If you want a particular font, you can print the text you want and trace over it.

The time to embroider

11. Protect the fabric from the hoop
If you want to protect your embroidery fabric from hoop marks, which is especially important with thin fabrics, wrap cotton tape around the inner ring. Make sure the tape overlaps as you wrap it so the entire ring is covered, then secure it securely at the end by sewing it into place. This not only prevents ring marks in the fabric, but also provides a tighter fit and helps keep the fabric taut.

12. Good lighting
Be sure to sew in good lighting. If you're not sewing during the day, invest in a daylight lamp so you can see your stitching more clearly and not strain your eyes.

13. Showcasing your work
Do not hang your finished embroidery in direct sunlight, as the fabric and stitching are likely to fade over time. You can use UV protective glass which will help minimize this if necessary.

Embroidery tips - Choosing threads

14. Double the thread
Try folding one end of the thread and pushing the fold through the eye of the needle when you are threading the needle. This works especially well when using wool or thicker yarns.

15. Use the right side of the eye
Some needles are easier to thread on one side of the needle than the other because of the way the needle hole has been stamped. It is not always obvious to see which side of the needle to thread, as the eye can be quite small. If you're having trouble threading the needle, try turning it around and threading from the other side.

16. Thread length
Try to keep your thread no longer than 50cm as longer lengths can knot or part. If you are using a metallic thread, do not cut the thread more than 30 cm, as it separates much more easily and then becomes difficult to work with.

17. Separating threads
Some threads need to be separated into the number of strands you want to use. The best way to do this is to cut a length of thread and then gently hold it between your thumb and forefinger about 5cm from one end. Take a strand and gently pull it up. It will easily separate from the other threads.

18. Combine threads
If you want to sew with more than one thread, you should always separate the threads individually and then combine them again. This will make the strands sit closer together when you sew.

19 Proof different numbers of threads
Vary the number of strands you use on your needle for different effects and experiment. One strand of Backstitch will give a fine, delicate line creating softer curves, while four strands will fill in an area using satin stitch quite quickly and give a raised effect. Practice this on leftover fabric so you can get the effect you want.

20. Use thread conditioner
Thread conditioner or beeswax is used to run a piece of cut thread before sewing to help keep it soft, prevent tangling, and help it glide through fabric more easily. This is especially recommended when using metallic threads.