Contents
Embroidery Basics
How to Choose Embroidery Fabric
Embroidery Thread
Embroidery Tools
How to Read Embroidery Patterns
How to Prepare Fabric for Embroidery
How to Transfer Embroidery Templates
How to Place Fabric in a Hoop
How to Start Embroidery Thread
Embroidery Stitching Methods
Embroidery Stitch Library
How to Fix Embroidery Mistakes
How to Finish a Design (or Thread)
How to Display Finished Embroidery
How to Cross Stitch
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How to Prepare Fabric for Embroidery
Before starting any embroidery project, you must first prepare the fabric by following this four-step process:
Wash and Dry the Fabric
Washing and drying the fabric before embroidering it ensures that it won’t shrink. Shrinking tends to cause puckering and distortions. If you plan to embroider a premade item, wash it according to the manufacturer’s instructions or as you intend to wash it during its lifetime.
Iron the Fabric
Press all fabrics with a hot iron, setting the proper temperature for the fiber content. Ironing makes the fabric flatter and stiffer, which makes it easier to embroider.
Stabilize Delicate or Stretchy Fabrics
Delicate woven fabrics, such as silk, and any stretchy knit fabrics will be easier to embroider if you give them some extra stability. There are two ways to do this:
- Iron-on stabilizing fibers: Apply these stiff fibers to your fabric with heat from an iron. You can find them in art supply stores.
- Tissue paper: Give the fabric extra support by pinning tissue paper to its back side. Then embroider as usual, stitching through the tissue paper. Tear away the tissue paper when the project is finished.
Plan the Location of the Design
Though you can place a design anywhere on a piece of fabric, you should first consider how easily a thread and needle can be worked in that location. For instance, it’s easier to embroider the shoulders of a denim jacket than it is to embroider the sleeves, since the shoulders are more accessible. If you’re doing cross stitch (see Cross Stitch), make sure the fabric’s weave will allow you to place the design where you want it.
Right Side and Wrong Side
Where you decide to put the design determines the right side and wrong side of the work.
- Right side: The decorative side that features the complete design
- Wrong side: The side on which the knots, thread tails, and backs of the stitches sit
On some projects, such as embroidery on the cuff of a pair of jeans, the wrong side will be hidden from view. On other projects, such as embroidery on a napkin, the wrong side can be seen simply by flipping the piece over.
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