Machine embroidery could possibly be your passion, or maybe it’s something you’d like to try. If you’re a newbie or want-to-be embroiderer, Eileen Roche, my friend and Sewing With Nancy guest, and I show you how to learn Machine Embroidery in 6 Easy Lessons on my newest 2-part series.
The embroidery process comes down to six key learning points. Learn lessons 1–3 in this first episode.
Lesson #1—Embroidery Basics
We begin with the embroidery basics. Eileen shares her checklist of what to look for in a machine and supplies in order to begin your embroidery journey.
- If you are overwhelmed with all the features available on embroidery machines, no fear, we tell you what basic features are needed.
- We also give a list of supplies and notions that will help you in your embroidery journey, like painters tape. How unique is that! (The photo features a onesie that is hooped and ready for embroidery.)
Lesson #2—Types of Designs
The star of your embroidery is obviously the design. Knowing the types and categories of designs—there are many—can help you make wise embroidery choices. Lesson 2 of our Machine Embroidery Class is simply, Types of Designs.
- We start with showing you how designs are stitched. Think of it as an anatonomy of embroidery! I personally like to know how designs are created.
- When it’s time for monogramming, learn how stitch underlay of designs is so important. (Side note: Monogramming is the most popular type of embroidery. After all, who doesn’t like monogrammed towels?)
Lesson #3—Placement
Machine embroidery is easy; it’s the placement that can be the tricky part! For that reason, Eileen has chosen Embroidery Placement as the 3rd Lesson in this series. Without perfect placement, even the most beautiful embroidery doesn’t make the grade.
- We start with the elementary way of placing embroideries, making a template from stitched designs. When embroidery machines were first introduced, this was our only option of perfect placement. Now there are many alternatives.
- We also show speedy placement options such as the Embroidery Helper.
Watch online!
Machine Embroidery in 6 Easy Lessons is the featured video this week. (I guess I’ve said that once or twice) Watch 52 of the most recent Sewing With Nancy shows online at www.nancyzieman.com. Or, watch on your iPad, iPod Touch, or iPhone. Have you downloaded the app?
Next week, you can tune in to watch the remaining lessons. Plus find all machine embroidery guidelines in Eileen’s book, Machine Embroidery in 6 Easy Lessons.
What’s your biggest embroidery stumbling block? (Maybe I can address your concerns in a future blog?) Post below and we’ll choose a random winner on January 12. The winner will receive a copy of Machine Embroidery in 6 Easy Lessons.
Bye for now,
I am not comfortable with my computer use. When I download designs, I don’t know what to do next. I am not sure how to set up files, how to transfer to usb stick for my Bernina,etc. In otherwords, how to get organized.
My biggest problem is when the thread breaks before the stitching is done.
My biggest problem with embroidery is having to line up continuous designs and also when my thread breaks while stitching out a design.
okay everyone! I have a Brother HE 240 that does lovely job on the 4×4 hoop of whichever design I choose from the memory ..But is it possible to free/maneuver embroider?
When I went to watch the video online, it showed how to make doll clothes; scrolled through all the online videos, and didn’t see an embroidery video anywhere.
My biggest challenge was figuring out the proper trimming for an in the hoop applique` bowl. The directions weren’t very clear and I don’t think it came out right.
I also have a continuous hoop that came with an upgrade to my machine that I don’t know how to use.
I have taken embroidery lessons at Nancy’s Notions and they really helped, even brought in a sample of a boo boo I did before. I still am a little unsure of density versus stabilizer versus area that will be gathered by the embroidery. I also am a little leary of using embroider quilt designs to quilt my quilt tops together. Any advice on when it hits seams, should I slow the machine down? I have a topaz 30. Practice pieces don’t have all the seams.
I just purchased a Husqvarna Topaz embroidery machine. I love my new machine for sewing and quilting, but the machine embroidery and getting designs from computer to machine and then onto fabric is an intimidating process. I could use guidance. I plan to utilize the free instruction available from my dealer. Additional instruction from this site is greatly appreciated.
I think my biggest dilemma when doing machine embroidery is choosing which stabilizer to use with which fabric/design, as the more stitches the more stabilizer I have been told. Often times when I try to embroider a quilt block, using quilters cotton, the design seems too stitch intensive for the fabric and I get puckers around the fabric when the fabric is released from the hoop. I have ironed a light stabilizer in the back of the fabric, and used a medium-heavy weight tear away stabilizer, but still get the puckers. Any suggestions??
I love embroidery but I too am somewhat intimidated by it. My biggest problem is making sure of the correct size. Some digitizers will tell what hoop to use but I have seen some that say it will fit a 4×4 (my size) and it is larger than 4 in. I always thought that if it was larger than 4 in. in any direction, it wouldn’t fit the hoop. Help??
My biggest stumbling block to starting a project is thread! I have a lot of it, and I have several different manufacturers. My biggest question always is what color do I have that matches what the design is calling for. My numbers never seem to match up to what the numbers are in the desgin.
My biggest stumbling block is fear of messing up..using wrong stabilzer, wrong placement, It is costly to mess up.
I’m so excited to get started with these classes! I bought a new sewing machine last year with a machine embroidery attachment, & I’ve yet to use it, as I’m intimated by it.
Being new to embroidery, I’m confused where the design will begin. I’ve been told “the center”–does that mean the center of the hoop? Please help.
forgot to say Happy New Year!
I have an older machine where you have to do the placement yourself and I am not very accurate. I would like to know more about how to use the endless hoop and making lace/large projects.
I had embird on my old computer and bought a new computer and don’t have it now, need to find out how to get it back again and also do I need it to see designs? Edi
I have many of the stumbling blocks others have mentioned…fear of ruining garment or fabric, placement, color conversion. Also is my hesitancy to use different threads other than Rayon 40wt. I know you can use varigated, metallic, cotton, and much more, but am afraid to try.
I’ve had my Ellegante II a little over a year and have experimented very little, even after taking great classes from my dealer. Time is my issue and I forget between uses and have to work up some courage every time I sit down. These machines are intimidating – at least I think so. I want to become comfortable with my machine and only frequent use will do that. If I had to choose just one stumbling block, it would be stabilizers. There are so many, but maybe some are similar, just going by different names. I am really looking forward to this series! Thank you, Nancy, once again for such useful information!
It sounds like my problem with stabilizer for the project is the same problem that almost every one else has. I think I have it figured out, but then it doesn’t work like it should.
My biggest problem is placement and aligning multiple embroideries. I would love to use my quilting embroideries but cannot get them aligned correctly. The designs are ment to look like free motion quilting.
I am looking forward to watching the programs! I use the embroidery feature of my machine at intervals, so I am never working with automaticity. Before I start a project, I get all my books out and reread everything. It will be nice to have all the basics in one place.
I purchased a Janome off of Craig’s list. I was so disappointed to find out that the sewing stores in my area only provide instructions for those who buy new machines from them directly. I would think the follow up purchases of needed supplies would off set the cost of a one or two hour instruction on basic embroidery. I would be willing to pay for instruction. I so appreciate you show for this reason alone.
I totally understand what you’re saying! The store missed out on a potential customer.
I am new to machine embroidery and I am struggling with when to use the sticky stabilizer only and when to use multiple types. IE. cut away with topper, tear away with cut away, etc. How do you know or is there a chart that tells you what to use when and how? What is Vilene? What is the difference in organdy and organza, are they used interchangeably? What is the fabric you use with FSL that you burn the edge of when done?
I just received a Brother SE400 for Christmas. It is a sewing and embroidery machine. It only does a 4″ design. If I get good at this and like it, I could always buy a machine that does a larger design. I am delighted to see that you are giving these lessons. I can’t wait to get started.
My biggest fear is embroidering ready to wear. Where to place , what will it look like , etc?
I have a hard time remembering which stabilizer is best for each fabric/design. A future blog theme on this would be wonderful. Thanks sew much for this chance to win!
My biggest stumbling block is embroidery placement ,especially on shirts.
I would like to learn more about hooping continuous designs.
I would love to learn how to embroider on towels, I have had success with firm woven fabrics, but terrycloth intimidates me.
Multiple Hooping, placement and puckering. I do fine on embroidered quilt blocks, Towels, and free standing lace. But I just can’t get the multiple hoopings on my Janome 11000 right.
My biggest problem so far is transferring patterns from disk to my machine. I’m very frustrated. I think it is probably issues with something in my computer. This might not be in these lessons. But it would really make me want to figure out and solve the problem. So that I can do the embroidering that I would love to do.
My biggest problem is embroideries that are too dense. They cause broken needles, thread and loopies.
I know stabilizers are important as are the needle and thread. My thing is the “shifting” that sometimes happens when the outlining does not stay in proper position. That becomes frustrating! I sometimes do “thread painting” to fill in the white spaces for richer appearance. Had one dealer tell me the reason for this is not enough stabilizing.
I’ve been embroidering about a year; my biggest challenge is still matching the right stabilizer for each design and fabric.
I don’t have a stumbling block as yet. I have not attempted embroidery yet. I am in awe of the beautiful designs you all create on your machines tho.
So I would luv to learn how to embroider to begin with, and I am sure this book would be great to begin learning with. How not to make those little ooopsie to begin with.
I am anxious to watch this series to help me overcome some of my machine embroidery issues. Hopefully you will cover “sizing” of lettering & designs. Most of the time I can figure out the placement pretty closely, but getting the lettering the right size-proportionate to the area it’s going seems to be a big challenge. What is an easy method to figure this out as inches as it shows on the machine doesn’t seem to be an exact measurement?
Thank you once again Nancy for coming to our rescue all these years.
Because I don’t have a machine that helps with placement, that is my biggest hurdle!
I’m just starting with embroidery and I’m not sure what I need to properly prepare the item for the embroidery design so it shows up and looks great. One example is that I have a felting machine and want to embroider on felted bookmarks that I made.
My biggest stumbling block was down loading patterns from the computer. I couldn’t believe it when I just kept trying and I finally figured out how to do it. Such a confidence booster. Love your 30 year anniversary show. Congratulations!
I forgot about this problem: I tried to make a label with my name for a garment. I used grosgrain ribbon with a sticky back stabilizer hooped. After embroidering, my name was done with too much thread and I couldn’t get the remaining stabilizer out of the letters. Help!
My biggest stumbling block is tunneling. I practice until I’m satisfied and then end up with puckering and tunneling on my actual project.
My problem is that I want my design to feel nice on the back so that the shirts and jammies I embroider the grandkids will feel comfortable. I think that I am going to try a water soluable on the back side and see it that works. I have had my machine for 9 months and made 12 pillow covers and 3 little purses in the hoops at Christmas for the granddaughters. I was so busy that I let the machine do it’s job while I sewed jammies. It worked out fine and I got lots of exercise going from machine to machine.
I like to change up the colors, but I’m never sure what looks good together.
My largest stumbling block is that I don’t use the embroidery on my machine enough to get good at it! I am having to constantly check on how to do each step and resolve each little thing that goes wrong.
I bought a Janome 11000 a year ago for quilting & embroidering & just this past month bought embroidery thread. Wanted to do some things for gifts, got nothing done so much more to learn so confusing, biggest challenge I need a teacher! I so need this!
My biggest stumbling blocks have always been know what stabilizer to use on the fabric, placement of the design and choosing the design. There are do many designs out there that finding the right design for the right project can be overwhelming! I loved watching the video. I can’t wait for the next one. Thanks.
FEAR, FEAR, FEAR. New machine, new to embroidery. I wanna learn because Ilove the way it looks and I want to make beautiful things like the beautiful Rose napkin ( I think that is what it is), that is posted but i am afraid to start. I loved your first 3 lessons and i will be watching next week. Thanks, Dee
Like others, I am also afraid of screwing up the fabric. But my most problem is, I think, is proper placement! Making sure it is completely centered and in the correct spot!
Thanks for all of your videos. They sure do come in handy!
Fear. Pure and simple. Fear is my biggest stumbling block to most of my work. I am always afraid I will mess something up so I end up not doing anything. I have done some projects but my favorite would be doing some quilt blocks and doing some actual quilting using emb. software. I would like to know how to hoop the quilt to do the quilting. Thanks for the chance to win the book!
My problem is lining up patterns on projects that require multiple hoopings. For instance, I made a wall hanging with embroidered corners: it would have been beautiful if the corners had lined up. I need help!
Even though i’ve been machine embroidering for more then 12 years, getting a design straight on a knit tee continues to be a challenge
Stabilizer to use and placement in the hoop
All of the above, plus I would like a good thread conversion chart. My thread inventory is a mishmash of all different manufacturers thread.
My biggest stumbling block is placement — I don’t know if I am getting centered on a towel for instance. The other problem is which stabilizer to use
I have had my Baby Lock Elure for 5 or 6 years now and still have no idea how to use the embroidery features, let alone understand the different stabilizers.
My biggest problem is placement, not how to place the design but where. This is because I have so many designs I would like to use but you can only do some many tea towels, shirts and pillowcases.
I am intimidated by my embroidery machine. I loved watching your show about machine embroidery, got all excited about trying machine embroidery, got my machine out, then said “now what?” I have to get over this some how……………Cheryl in San Diego
If you are starting a series, I’m sure I won’t have any roadblocks left! I just got a new machine and I am so excited to get started!
I have a Viking sewing machine and have done embroidery. However, I tend to stay away from hard to hoop items and silky fabric.
The biggest issues I have is which stabilizer to use with which fabric, the proper needle to use depending on the fabric, and using a bobbin fill thread or if u want matching thread what thread weight to use. I enjoy machine embroidery but it’s constant research each time I want to do a project which can be time consuming since the information seems to vary depending on what you are doing.
I’m still getting to know my machine and have lots to learn.
I know this will help me.
I bought an embrodery machine (Janome MC200E) about 3 years ago and have used it twice to do initials. It thoughly intimidates me……..but peeks my interest so much. I NEED HELP…..and would love to win the book/instructional helper.
Libby
I seem to always have problems with puckering when I embroider on cottons. I’ve starched and used different types of stabilizer, but I still can’t seem to conquer the problem . Do you have any other suggestions?
Just knowing what to do to get started: type of thread, stabilizer, and type of fabric.
I like to stitch on sweatshirts but I have a huge problem keeping the sweatshirt under control because of the bulk. I also have a huge problem with large projects requiring multiple hoopings.
I am seriously considering this book. Would these tips be applicable to someone using a Pfaff CS and CV?
I also notice the blue painters tape in the onesy. Won’t the painters tape lose its grip during the stitching and pop away and cause the onesy to close up during stitching and cause all kinds of problems?
Hooping the fabric seems to be my downfall. I can’t wait to watch this series.
My biggest stumbling block is fear of ruining the item when working on ready to wear/ready to embroider. Consequently, I limit myself to new construction. Building confidence so I could expand the items upon which I could embellish with embroidery would be great.
I purchased my Ellisimo Gold in October! I LOVE it!!!! Yet, I know I’m not using it to my full potential !!! I am so anxious about ALZl computer things!
my hubby even loads the patterns on the flash drive for me! Eek! So things of this nature are perfect for me! Thank you!!!
I am never sure which stabilizer to use!
Violet, I know this tv series and book would be of help. Generally, I recommend that everyone should have a medium weight tear away, cut away, and wash away stabilizer in their sewing area.