How to Embroidery
Embroidery is not only a relaxing hobby, but a practical way to design fabrics. While you can buy almost any type of fabric with a design on it, many people like to customize their fabrics to make them personal. Embroidery is not only a great way to create items for the home, but also for family and friends. Here are some tips on how to embroider.
Items Needed to Embroider Effectively
Embroidery is a great hobby that costs surprisingly little to enjoy. The tools needed are quite simple. They include:
An Embroidery Hoop- usually made from wood or plastic, an embroidery hoop holds a piece of fabric taught and in place to make it easier to embroider. Embroidery hoops come in many different sizes, however the smaller sizes make it much easier for beginners to work with.
Needle- You will be using a needle to thread the fabric. It is wise to use a larger size needle such as a size 10 or 12. These needles will have a larger eye- which makes it easier to thread, especially for beginners.
Pin Cushion- an easy way to store or keep a bunch of needles by your side.
Fabric- Obviously, you will need a piece of fabric that you will embroider. For beginners, it is best to work with a cotton piece of fabric. You might want to choose a light color fabric that is also not that thick making it easy to push the needle through and thread.
Embroidery Thread- If you are using a light piece of fabric, use a dark piece of embroidery thread- it will be easier to view. A standard piece of embroidery thread will consist of 6 strands. While some projects you can use all 6 strands, others you may want to use only two of the six strands. You can easily separate the strands for your use.
Learn the Basic Stitching Techniques
When embroidering there are several basic stitching techniques that can be used. Some of the most common include: the backstitch, the stem stitch, the whipped stitch, the running stitch, the chain stitch and the crossed backstitch. Most stitches are extremely easy to learn and just take a little practice to master.
How to Embroider
Step 1. Once you have all the tools necessary to embroider, you will want to choose the piece of fabric to embroider and trace a small design on the front piece of fabric. This will help you correctly follow the design when you start to stitch.
Step 2. Place your fabric into an embroidery hoop and clamp it down tightly so that it is securely in place.
Step 3. Thread your needle with the appropriate amount of thread. You can choose between the number of strands and also the length of the thread. A good length of thread to start with is about 20 inches. Once the thread has been placed through the eye make a knot at the end of the thread.
Step 4. Start stitching from the back of your work. Placing the needle through the back and following the trace on the fabric. You can use a host of stitches, however the most common and basic is the simple backstitch. When threading you just need to simply push the needle through the fabric and gently pull it through.
Step 5. To finish stitching, take both the needle and thread to the back of the fabric. You will want to pass your needle underneath the stitches to cover up any loose ends (do not stitch through any fabric).
Step 6. Create a knot by placing a loop of thread and passing the needle through it, now tighten the knot. Once the knot is tight, trim it with a scissor cutting off any excess thread.
Obviously, embroidery does take some practice, but it is not that difficult to do and with enough practice, it can be an enjoyable hobby for practically anyone.