Mastering Embroidery Techniques: Tips for Beginners & Troubleshooting

February is National Embroidery Month, so what better time to take a look at some of the “in’s and out’s” of working with embroidery projects. If you missed my post last week about getting started with using AccuQuilt’s free, downloadable embroidery designs to go with matching applique dies, be sure and check it out, especially if you are just getting started! I went over the basics of how to prepare and cut your fabric and downloading your design, working with a single shape design. In today’s post, we’re going to look at designs that use multiple shapes and I’m going to share some of my favorite tips and tricks along the way.

Machine embroidery is a technique, and just like any new technique or skill, it takes time and practice to perfect your skills but using GO! dies to cut your shapes is a great way to simplify the process. With perfectly die cut shapes, you eliminate the need to tediously trim away fabric after the stitching is done and while it is still in the hoop. Not only is it faster, but you will have a much cleaner and professional-looking project when you’re done.

Get to Know Your Embroidery Machine

When you first get any new machine or piece of technology, there’s bound to be a learning curve and the same applies to embroidery machines. I’ve had mine for a few years now, and I’m still learning new tricks that the machine has known all along. There’s such a wide range of embroidery machines available that it’s impossible to cover how every machine works, so whether your machine is brand new, new to you or an old friend, there is always something to learn. I recommend checking with your local quilt or sewing machine store for classes you can take. Your machine dealer is your expert, and they will also be your best resource.

Maybe your skills are a little rusty? Do a test embroidery! It doesn’t have to be anything grand, maybe stitch out a design that came loaded on your machine or something you’ve used in the past. It doesn’t have to be big either. Just like making a test block when you have a new GO! Block on Board die, stitch out a test design to help you recall where things are and the process for your machine.

These days, most embroidery machines can also be used as sewing machines by removing the embroidery module. You will also need to be sure you are using the correct foot for embroidering on your machine. Be sure you are threading both the bobbin and the top thread correctly, too.

Bobbin and Top Thread 

Unlike your sewing machine, when you’re embroidering you’ll always use the same thread on your bobbin. Different machines may have different needs, so again it’s best to check with your dealer on what bobbin thread you should be using, then you can simply buy a large cone/spool of that for all your embroidery work. You also want to be sure that you are using the correct size bobbin. This way you know you have the correct basics to keep everything running smoothly and to give you the best results.

For top thread, polyester and rayon are the most common types for machine embroidery. As quilters, we are used to using cotton thread all the time, but embroidery is different. Polyester thread is strong, colorfast and comes in a wide variety of colors and finishes. It also comes in different weights. For general applique, 40wt thread is the most used. If you are working with small designs or details, you may want to switch to a thinner 60 wt.

Needles

The key to embroidery needles is to be sure you are using ones with a sharp point. Lately, I have been using #75/11 Sharp Point Ceramic Coated needles from Designs in Machine Embroidery/dime that I really like. The ceramic coating is heat resistant, making it great for high speed embroidery that can generate heat from friction. It can also help reduce thread breakage and skipped stitches due to friction between the needle and the fabric. Be sure to check with your dealer if you have questions on what your machine will like best. If you are using a cotton thread for quilting in the hoop on your embroidery machine, move up to a slightly larger needle to accommodate the thicker thread.

Top Tips

  1. Hoop your stabilizer and project securely! Believe me, if the hoop comes apart in the middle of embroidering a project, you will just have to start over.
  2. Never, and I do mean never, remove your project from the hoop until you double and triple check your work to be sure you are done. This goes along with the first tip, you’ll never get that project in the exact same place in the hoop again.
  3. Watch your thread! If your top thread is catching on the spool or starts to wrap around the spindle it its on, you are mere moments away from a mess and a broken needle. I would really hate to know how many needles I have broken due to this issue over the years.
  4. If something sounds “wrong” or “different” with your machine – stop and check it out. You can always start again easily and in the same exact place as long as you don’t take your project out of the hoop.
  5. Start big projects with a full bobbin. You will go through more bobbin thread than you can imagine with machine embroidery.

Layered Designs

Since I covered the free, downloadable AccuQuilt for single shapes in my earlier blog, today I wanted to go over how it works when you have multiple shapes that are being used to create the design. You’ll see this in free, downloadable outline embroidery for designs that have multiple shapes, like the GO! Sewing Machine, but also with some of the more detailed embroidery designs that are available to purchase.

Here are a few things to know when working with multiple shapes:

  1. The shapes will build from the bottom up. Each shape will have its own placement line and decorative stitches. Follow the design and the document that you will have downloaded along with the designs for any questions.
  2. Take your time when pressing your shapes down inside the placement stitches. The more perfectly the shape is place, the better your results will be. I can’t stree this enough!
  3. The design will not normally stitch decorative stitches in an area that will later be covered by another applique shape, so don’t be alarmed if an area is “skipped”. This will reduce bulk where it isn’t needed and give you a more professional looking finished product.
  4. Pay attention to stops for thread color changes as desired.
  5. Remove the hoop with the project still securely inside for pressing down each new shape. Pressing the shapes down with the hoop still laying on the machine can cause damage to your machine.
  6. Be sure the design is complete before removing it from the hoop. There may be additional decorative stitches added on top of shapes in the design, especially with the more complex designs.

Depending on your machine, you can add additional elements to your design, such as some text. Be aware of sizing because tiny letters will be difficult to read in the finished project. Of course, you can aways re-hoop your project to add additional elements as well. Here’s a towel I created for my daughter using the GO! Pickleball Flamingo Embroidery by V-Stitch Designs. This design is available for purchase on AccuQuilt.com. After stitching the flamingo, I re-hooped my towel to add the additional text.

Machine embroidery is such a fun way to personalize your projects and combining it with perfectly cut shapes using GO! dies makes it even better. I hope you’ll jump in and try out adding some applique and machine embroidery to your projects!