Author: Lois Wade / Source: wikiHow
The art of sewing fancy stitches in fabric to create designs and pictures is as varied and fun today as it has been for centuries. You too can get started on your own journey into the world of thread and needle. Gather some special tools and materials to embroider. Then, learn a few basic embroidery stitches and decide what you want to embroider onto your fabric.
Try embroidering something for yourself, to sell online, or as a gift for someone special!- 1 Opt for plain white cotton or linen as your embroidery fabric. A loose weavable fabric is a good choice for your first projects. Hold the fabric up in front of a light source to see if the grid lines are visible on the fabric and if you can see light coming through it. If so, the fabric will work well for embroidery.[1]
- You may embroider on any color of fabric, but lighter hues may make your stitches stand out more.
- Embroidery fabric is available in the embroidery section of your local craft supply store or online.
- You may also choose something from around your house to embroider for practice, such as a handkerchief, a cloth napkin, or a thin dish towel.
- 2 Purchase a pattern and transfer the pattern to your fabric. You can purchase embroidery patterns in craft supply stores. Choose a beginner pattern if you are new to embroidery. Use the included transfer paper to imprint the outline of the design on your fabric.[2]
- Follow the pattern’s instructions to transfer the design outline to your fabric.
- You can find free embroidery patterns online if you don’t want to purchase one.
- 3 Select multi-strand embroidery thread to adjust the thickness of your stitches. Multi-strand embroidery thread (also known as floss) comes in bundles of multiple strands. This will allow you to pull the strands apart and choose the thickness of your thread before you begin stitching. This may come in handy for different parts of your design.[3]
- For example, to create a thick border stitch in 1 part of your design, then don’t remove any strands. However, to subtly outline a part of your design, use a single strand.
- Make sure to check your pattern for thread type and color recommendations.
- You can also use yarn if you will be embroidering on a knit or crocheted item, such as a sweater or scarf.
- 4 Get an embroidery hoop to keep the fabric taut. Unstretched fabric will wrinkle and become difficult to work with as you create the stitches, so you will need an embroidery hoop.[4] An embroidery hoop has a nut and screw that tightens 2 hoops around your fabric. This is what keeps the fabric taut while you embroider.[5]
- Embroidery hoops come in several different sizes. Choose the size you will need for your project. In most cases, a smaller hoop such as a 6 to 8 in (15 to 20 cm) hoop will work best. This size hoop will be easier to hold than a larger hoop.
- 5 Use an embroidery needle to ensure that…
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