Are you thinking about starting machine embroidery? Congratulations! You're in for a wild ride. Machine embroidery actually is a fun and rewarding hobby that can easily turn into a full-blown passion. But before you start hooping and stitching, please take a minute to consider about few essentials you need to get your hands on and really master this art.
1) A Reliable Embroidery Machine
The first and most important thing you'll need to get started with machine embroidery is, of course, your embroidery machine. And not just any machine will do. You need one that's reliable and versatile, with a good range of stitches and a decent size hoop depending on the projects you have in mind to create .
Tip to consider: don't go for the cheapest machine you can find. Usually, you get what you pay for, and a cheap one might cause you more headaches and troubles than it's worth. Trust me, it's disgusting to be stuck in the middle of a big and important project and have your machine break down on you.
The experience with my own machine was a fun adventure that turned into a passionate love, but this will be a new post.
2)Quality Thread
Next on the list of essentials comes thread. Some people underestimate the matter of threads used, but the type of thread you use is possible make a huge difference in the quality of your finished project. So, don't just grab any old thread you will find at the store. Invest in good quality, embroidery-specific thread.
Tip to consider: make sure that you have a good variety of colors on hand. You never know when you'll need to match some specific shades or when you'll want to add a pop of color to your next design.
3)Stabilizer
Stabilizer is like the backbone of your machine embroidery. It provides the support your fabric needs to ensure that your design comes out looking crisp and clean without puckering. And, just like thread, there are different types of stabilizer to choose from.
My personal favorite is tear-away stabilizer. It's easy to use, and the name says it all: you simply tear it away from the fabric after you've finished stitching. No mess, no fuss.
We will talk for them in next post.
4)Needles
Needles are another often-overlooked essential. But, just like everything else on this list, the type of needle you use can make a big difference in the quality of your finished product.
Make sure you use the right type of needle for the type of fabric you're working with. And, don't be afraid to change your needle often. Dull needles can cause all sorts of problems, from skipping stitches to damaging your fabric.
5)Design Software
Last but not least, you'll need design software. This is where you can get creative and turn your ideas into actual designs. There are plenty of options out there, both free and paid, so find one that works for you and your machine.
Bonus Tip
And, here's a bonus tip: practice, practice, practice! The more you practice, the better you'll get at machine embroidery. Who knows, you might even end up creating a design that people will want to use!
So, there you have it! The 5 painstaking essentials to help you begin your machine embroidery journey is there . Now, it's time to get started and see where this journey takes you! Who knows, you might just become the next big thing in the machine embroidery world.
All the above will be further analyzed to next posts. But in the meantime, if you feel frustrated or overwhelmed leave a comment here to share with us your concerns.
Happy stitching!
Natasa
Disclosure: In this blog I may use affiliate links which means that if you purchase something I may earn a small commission.