Quick Tips for Embroidering on Leather
Have you ever tried to embroider on leather? One would think it would be easy to work with because it’s obviously stable enough to support embroidery, but embroidering on leather has some surprising obstacles, such as stretching! Thankfully, these obstacles are easily overcome, and once you know what kind of stabilizer and needles to use, it’s a snap!
Fiber Arts Exhibit at Sacred Heart University is Sure to Please
From cotton to flax, fibers have been used since ancient times to create everything from blankets and clothing to baskets for gathering food. In this exhibit, they become art.
Always pre-wash fabric before you embroider on it
There is one major embroidery mistake that doesn't actually appear until after you have washed your creation for the first time: shrinkage. Too many times, I've completely destroyed beautiful creations. Luckily, this error is easily avoided if you just remember to take this one simple step.
Embroidery Term of the Week: Redwork
Today, the term "redwork" can be used to describe a general form of outline stitching, but this artful technique using red, cotton floss dates back to the 18th century when this craft’s simplicity and affordability made it very popular.
How Often Should You Change Your Needle?
Did you know that one of the simplest ways to keep your machine in shape and increase the time that you spend stitching beautiful stitches is to change your needle often? Here are some simple tips to guide you towards getting the best out of your machine stitching.
Cross-Stitching on Knitted Fabric
As I started working on this embroidery blog, I wanted to be careful not to neglect hand stitchers. Little did I know that I would soon be grateful for my hand-stitching technique: I had to make an embroidered nametag for myself when I went to CHA, and my first try completely failed. That’s when cross-stitch came to my rescue!
Embroidery Term of the Week: Weave Fill
This week’s embroidery term is weave fill, or the tiny stitches that are used to fill in an embroidery design. While there are several different kinds of fill stitches, weave fill is one of the most commonly used, especially when working with larger shapes or design elements.
Inspiration Everywhere—From Coast to Coast!
Wherever I am, at home or on the road, I am always on the lookout for embroidery inspiration. Recently, right from the comfort of my own home in Connecticut, I came across this amazing blog on the Metropolitan Museum of Art site. And last month, I found plenty of inspiration at the Craft & Hobby Show in California, where I met up with my Craft Stylish colleagues and got to partake in one of my favorite pastimes: fashion watching.
Embroidery Term of the Week: Topping
No, it is not an ice cream topping, but an indispensable tool for embroiderers. You'll get crisp, clear lines and your designs will look awesome. The name of the miracle stabilizer? Topping.
Using Hand Embroidery Stitches to Make a Personalized Card or a Vintage Valentine
After visiting the Plimoth Plantations’s website earlier in the week, I was inspired to dig out my own hand embroidery project.I love Lavender and Lace Designs, and I started this one a few years ago to celebrate my two daughters.
Laton Jacket Project
Plimoth Plantation is producing an incredible opportunity for embroidery enthusiasts: over the next few years the museum will be re-creating a 17th century laton jacket.
Quick Tip of the Week: Incredible Shrinking Thread
My friend Gail started experimenting with this cool thread to embellish a sweatshirt jacket she was working on. She used it instead of traditional decorative thread to stitch across panels of her jacket. After she was done, she steamed it with her iron. The thread shrunk up, creating interesting texture similar to smocking.
How to Make Pretty Pincushions
These cushions are a blast to make and use recycled materials. And for friends who haven’t yet caught the sewing bug, these itty bitty cushions are the perfect addition to a jewelry box: they corral earrings and pins in high style.
How to Create Signature Bath Linens
I love nothing more than stepping into my bathroom and being greeted with a fresh set of personalized bath linens. All you need to plump up plain-Jane towels and shower curtains is your embroidery machine and a bit of contrasting thread.
Embroidery Term of the Week: Dongle
“Dongle” is such a goofy-sounding word, when I hear people talking about their dongles, I always imagine something silly like they’re referring to their latest fashion accessory. Actually, a dongle is the security device that allows you to open embroidery software programs.
Quick Tip of the Week: Review of Embroidery Threads
Let's face it, embroidery is basically the artful application of a bunch of thread—I say that because it is so easy to forget how utterly confusing it can be when it comes to picking out the right brand and type of thread for a particular embroidery project.
Did you know you don’t have to hoop your fabric?
I recommend trying this simple “hoopless” technique the next time you embroider on tricky fabric.
Hooked & Pricked
Hi, my name is Jennifer Stern, and I am so pleased to have this opportunity to share my embroidery stories and adventures (filled with both designer details and character builders) with you. Oh, and be sure to check out the Pricked exhibit at the Museum of Art and Design.
Embroider Your Own Label
After sewing up a project, whether it's for a gift or myself, I like to add an extra-special touch with a personalized ribbon label stitched with an embroidery machine.
Pulling Up at Puyallup
Threads staff members recently flew to the always fabulous 2008 Sewing and Stitchery Expo near Seattle for a few days of fashion shows, sneak peeks at the latest sewing products and classes.
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