Some Tips to Successful Embroidery

EMBROIDERY TIPS

Lace Making
Hooping Tips

Hoopless Embroidery

LACE MAKING

l love making lace because it involves my head and hands when itcomesto making lace don't thing there are rules but just people experimenting what works for them. Making lace is a learning process that each and everyone one of us most work through. Anyone doing lace or been in my lace classes will know l love disposable bobbins andlove using them in lace making. If l had to wind my bobbins l would never get my lace done. I never have to touch my tension with them, they work like a dream in my Brother machines. Alot of bobbin thread on a big spool can sometimes be made very fast when winded which gives us many knots and can cause upper thread breaks and stopping and starting. This is frustrating when you look at the time one puts in for lace making. I love my spun polyester bobbins Nebs they are knotless and I get no dust on my rotary hook which many know dust can shorten the life of your machine. I love to use water soluble vilene for my lace making but the hooping of it is very important. I hoop it taut so there are no wrinkles usually just one layer. It is made for high stitch counts it will not stretch in any direction is not a film so it disolves quickly in hot or cold water. Water soluble vilene is as strong as a cut away ideal for my customers to use for there lace making. With my lace no one really looks at the bottom only the top so sometimes if it is a metallic I might match top and bottom just for looks. A very dence lace design l find needs 2 layers of water soluble vilene.

To read the full article:

http://www.stirlingembroidery.com/tips.htm

Do You See Your Favorite Style?

Different Embroidery Types: Which One is Yours?

by Robbie Darmona

Ever since the invention of needle and thread, man has started designing beautiful artwork by stitching on cloths. Embroidery, as it is called, is the way sheer sewing is transferred into something beautiful and creative. Decorative stitching reveals man’s desire to embody the spiritual and unique part of his psyche into his daily work. Embroidery is thought to date back to 3000 BC. There are different embroidery types in different cultures.

Each one of them is unique as it represents the given culture’s specificity. The ancient Egyptians for example used the so-called white embroidery. That is, namely, the stitching of white thread on white canvas.

The style is so sophisticated and the motifs so difficult that even the modern technologically- based embroidery machines can’t reach the quality of the originals. The Chinese developed the famous two-sided embroidery- a stunning example of intricate art. The decoration is so refined that it takes years for the devoted embroiderer to accomplish. In Western Europe another type of embroidery is famous: the crewel technique. It involves the stitching of woolen two-ply thread on a linen cloth, called twill. It is still used today for producing of many home decorations- counterpanes, different hangings and coverings.

To read the full article:

http://www.freecraftunlimited.com/articles/different-embroidery-types.html

Select Your Designs with Care!

Embroidery Sewing Quality of Machine Embroidery Designs

Many new to embroidery have experienced numerous problems because of the inferior quality of free embroidery design files that they downloaded over the internet. One of the biggest mistakes that many new seamstresses make is using free designs patterns that have problems built in. Even if you are lucky enough to do everything else right and use inferior designs, results will probably not be good. Many of the free embroidery designs files that one can download are the first efforts of someone that has just begun to digitize and thus are not very well made. Many new to this great hobby use these because they are free and easy to download without using a credit card, but this is where the trouble begins. Then when outlines are off or there are gaps in the sewing and poor results are evident, how does one know where the problem lies? Is it the designs or the stabilizers or even worst - Can it be the new embroidery machine? We have a test so one can determine if the design is at fault or if the stabilizer is the problem. We make available free designs, free sewing lessons, free thread color charts and info that you may need to learn so you can get great results with your embroidery designs projects.

To read the full article (you need to scroll down just a bit to see it):

http://www.free-online-advertising.com/embroidered/ea-machine-embroidery-designs.htm

Quick Fix Tips for Your Embroidery Machine

Do It Yourself Sewing Machine Repairs: A Sewing Machine Repairman Provides Helpful Tips

By Reuben O. Doyle

Your sewing machine is a wonderfully useful machine when working properly, a frustrating, confusing monster when it's not. Oddly, a vast majority of machines sent to repair shops for repairs, could be repaired at home with little or no technical knowledge.

The first thing to remember is not to panic! Don't let your frustration get in the way of your good sense. Depending on the type of problem you're having, the following suggestions may be of immediate help to you.

TENSION

As you change projects and start sewing on different weight materials, you should test stitch on a piece of scrap material of the same weight before beginning the actual project so you can adjust your upper tension to that particular fabric. As an example, if you're changing from a denim type fabric to a silky fabric, you would definitely want to make sure the tension is correct and the stitching looks right before you start to sew the garment.

To determine whether the upper tension is too tight or too loose for the fabric you want to use, try the following test. Take a small scrap of the fabric, fold it, and stitch a line ON THE BIAS of the fabric, using different colors of thread in the bobbin and on top.

Grasp the bias line of stitching between the thumb and the index finger. Space the hands about 3 inches apart and pull with an even, quick force until one thread breaks.

If the broken thread is the color of the thread in the needle, it means that the upper tension is too tight.

If the broken thread is the color of the bobbin thread, the upper tension is too loose. If both threads break together and take more force to break, it means that the tensions are balanced.

To read the full article:

http://www.theartfulcrafter.com/sewing-machine.html

What Thread Should You Use?

Thread Theory

The latest quilt trend is in Fiber Arts, the art of embellishing a textile with various fibers to create a work of art. Fiber Art can take many forms and use a myriad of materials especially created for the artist. This article is about Threads, both specialty threads for embellishment and regular, average, every day thread.

There are so many different types of thread available! How do you choose which one is right for your project? Start with the reason you will be using this thread and go from there. Generally, 28 wt. or 30 wt. thread is used for in the bobbin for decorative work. 40wt thread is a quilting thread and 50 wt is a piecing thread. This is only a rough guideline, however, rules are made to be broken! Experiment with what works best for you. To help you with your selection, read the end of the spool. Generally, you will find information about:

• the manufacturer and brand of the thread
• the color number
• its weight and the number of plies (strands) that are twisted together. This is usually referred to by a number that looks like a fraction. For example, if you see the number 60/2 that means that the thread is a 60 weight 2 ply thread. The higher the first number, the finer the thread.
• the fiber content
• whether or not the thread is mercerized
• and maybe even the country of origin.

What is mercerized thread? Simply put, mercerized cotton thread has been put through a series of processes causing the thread to swell, become round and straighten out. Any fuzz is singed off. This increases the luster of the thread as well as improves water and dye absorption. Since fine, long stapled fibers respond best to mercerization, it is usually those types of cotton (Sea Island, Egyptian, Pima) that are used.

When using your thread on a machine, be sure to put the top part of the spool up. This isn't always as obvious as you might think. To determine which part of the spool is the top, hold the spool horizontally by the top and bottom. Unroll about a foot of the thread. If the thread hangs freely, you unrolled it from the top. If it twists back on itself, you unrolled it from the bottom.

To read the full article:

http://www.quiltbus.com/threadtheory.htm

Build an Embroidery Business

Business Idea Details

Overview - Machine Embroidery

Embroidery is the process of applying monograms, logos and other designs to fabric with the use of thread. Make money with embroidery by customizing linens, pillows, clothing, accessories (i.e. hats, belts and purses) and artwork. Start a small business today in Machine Embroidery! Using embroidery machines your business will retain the look and feel of hand-crafted products while requiring a fraction of the time and effort to produce.

Keys To Success

Building and retaining a steady stream of customers will be your biggest key to success in this business. Aggressively pursue customers through channels such as craft fairs, community markets, home magazines and the internet. Embrace new embroidery technology that will allow your business to compete with larger customization shops without a great deal of extra capital. Include quality control in every step of your process to ensure your customers get the finest product their money can buy.

To read the full article:

http://www.mysmallbiz.com/pg/pub/idea_details.php?id=244

Embroidery Machines - Before You Buy

Before You Try Machine Embroidery
From Debbie Colgrove

Machine Embroidery adds beauty and themed detail to anything you sew. The amount you will invest in machine embroidery has become a huge variable, costing from $300 to $8000 depending on the machine options, the software you purchase and the size of the embroidery the machine is capable of stitching out.

Embroidery Machines

Some machines are "Embroidery Only" machines. These machines are solely devoted to doing machine embroidery. They do not do the work of a regular sewing machine.

Other machines, the higher end of the market, offers machines that can do any and everything. They usually have a removable embroidery unit so the machine will meet any sewing need. As always a local sewing machine dealer can be your best source for training. It's always advisable to know what you are looking for before you go shopping.

To read the full article:

http://sewing.about.com/od/machineembroidery/bb/embroidery.htm

Machine Embroidery Tips

Sewing information: machine embroidery tips

To Sew beautiful machine embroidery designs is easy once you know how. Instructions to prevent common problems, and provide ideas for sewing great designs.

Embroidery machines have revolutionized the art of embroidery. What used to take hours upon hours of painstaking hand work can now be finished in just a few minutes! It is still best not to rush through your embroidery work though. Taking just a little extra time to prepare your fabric and machine will ensure that your machine turns out its best work. This article will provide you with basic trouble shooting information and tips for sewing flawless machine embroidery.

Since so much of embroidery is based on thread, we will begin there. The first and most important rule when it comes to thread is to choose the best. Not all thread is created equally, and the more flaws your thread has the more flaws the item you are embroidering will have. If you are experiencing frayed threads, broken threads, fuzzy thread, etc it is most likely because you have chosen a sub-standard thread. There are many types of thread on the market designed specifically for machine embroidery. Although they may cost a bit more, the finished product is worth the expense. When thread is made pieces of fiber are twisted tightly together to form long continuous lines of fiber that is then spun onto spools for use as thread. Higher quality threads use longer fibers in their spinning process which results is smoother, stronger thread with a better texture and appearance. Inexpensive threads use short fibers which makes the thread prone to breakage, fuzziness and an overall poor appearance. In addition to the quality of the thread there are different fiber contents as well. Rayon and silk embroidery thread have a beautiful, rich sheen to them. Poly-cotton blend embroidery threads are strong, durable and create a smooth finish.

To read the rest of the article:

http://www.essortment.com/hobbies/machineembroide_sdkp.htm

So, How Do You Feel About Your Embroidery Machine?

Embroidery machines: white elephants or essential tools?

Marion, Dec 19, 2001

The beautiful and varied designs that can be sewn on an embroidery machine makes it very tempting to get one. You tell yourself that there are all sorts of things you could do with it that you can't do with your sewing machine. And while this is true, will you use it often enough to justify the expense? For the one thing all embroidery machines have in common is that they don't come cheap.

All manufacturers produce stand-alone embroidery machines. Bernina also produce an embroidery unit which gets attached to its top-of-the-range sewing machine, the Artista. The machine will come with a range of embroidery designs, but you'll soon realise that embroidery patterns are as addictive as lengths of fabric. No matter how many you've got, you'll always spot something new and appealing.... And this is even before you start finding free designs on the internet!

You're not limited to the original size of the embroidery, but can rotate it, change the ratio between it's length and width (most useful with lettering) and, of course, sew it in whatever colours you wish. And what colours you get in embroidery thread! The 'basic' threads are silky and shiny, but then there are the metallics, those that change colour along their length, and more. It certainly makes it easy when someone asks you what you want as a present -- some embroidery thread! Embroidery thread tends to be less strong than normal sewing thread, so if you're finding it keeps breaking as your design is stitching out, slow down the speed at which your machine is sewing.

To read the full article:

http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/fabric_crafts/87285

A Brief History of Whitework

Whitework Embroidery in America

Weldon's Encyclopedia of Needlework defines Whitework as: "White embroidery so called from its beginning worked on white material in mercerized cottons... It gave the first idea of lace and may be looked upon as the mother of all lace work."

This doesn't tell me a lot. So, white silk on silk isn't whitework? Hm.

Erica Wilson describes it as white thread on white ground fabric. This, I like.

Whitework embroidery is a term that came about as a result of the French influence of the 1700s. (That's not to say that whitework didn't exist before then.) There are some methods and techniques which are more associated with the term whitework, and these are the ones I hope to explore more fully in the future.

It's been conjectured that it may have begun in Egypt. Such lovely and fine fabric naturally belongs in that climate! International trade brought this gorgeous fabric to light. Eastern muslin fabrics were so sheer they were almost invisible, which caused no great stir in the nunneries of Europe. (sarcasm)

Nuns wrote their own histories with a needle, and where the fine muslins weren't available, the soft and strong linens that were available were used for depicting any number of biblical stories and symbols for use in the church, white being a symbol of the purity of the Virgin.

"The soil of Flanders and the Netherlands seemed particularly suitable for growing flax. So excellent was the Dutch fabric that up until the 18th Century the word for the strongest linen was simply "Holland" or "Holland cloth." --Erica Wilson's Embroidery Book.

Though not as fine as the muslin, the nuns learned to withdraw some of the linen threads from the background fabric for a lighter look. This form of open and drawn thread work led the way to "Reticella", where connecting bars made from buttonhole stitches were used across the surface of the linen, and the background was cut away and discarded. This was also called "cutwork".

To read the full article:

http://www.white-works.com/WhiteworkEmb.htm

Hooping Made Easy

Hooping Tips for Successful Embroidery

Fresh ideas for ease and accuracy when inserting your fabric in a machine embroidery hoop

by Jill McCloy

There are new machine-embroidery stabilizers on the market every day, and my article "Making Sense of Machine-Embroidery Stabilizers" in the December 2001/January 2002 issue of Threads (No. 98) offers some practical counsel on navigating this maze and making sound choices. Once you've selected a stabilizer for your project, it's important to hoop the stabilizer and fabric correctly to get the best results. Below are some hooping tips for embroidery. They're aimed at users of machines with built-in hoop control for digitized embroidery with dedicated hoops like the one shown here, but can easily be adapted to third-party hoops for free-motion embroidery.

Use a dedicated machine-embroidery hoop or a third-party hoop that will fit easily under your presser foot.

1. Baste the fabric to the stabilizer to keep the layers together. Whether basting by hand or machine, nothing works as well to keep the fabric from shifting. Some embroidery machines are capable of basting the fabric to the stabilizer while in the hoop.

To read the full article:

http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00100.asp