Hey, fellow sewing enthusiasts! Ever looked around your home and thought, “What can I add my unique touch to today?” I know I do! Recently, I stumbled upon some plain paper doilies from a dollar store and thought, why not embroider them?
If you’ve worked with cardstock or other paper items before, embroidering paper doilies won’t be too different. So, let me walk you through how I jazzed up these delicate beauties with my embroidery machine.
What You’ll Need:
- Embroidery machine
- Paper doilies
- Stabilizer: Opt for a medium-weight cut-away stabilizer
- Needle: Your best bet is an 80/12 sharp sewing needle (Microtex)
- Thread: I chose 40 wt polyester embroidery thread, but you might want something thicker for added pop
- Temporary fabric adhesive (like Odif 505)
- Embroidery scissors ✂️
- Placement stickers
Stabilizing Your Work:
Stabilizer: Tear-away stabilizers don’t play well with paper. Instead, go for a cut-away or no-show mesh. The cut-away type has been my favorite as it provides the solidity needed.
For best results, always use a sticky cut-away or a temporary fabric adhesive.
Needles and Designs:
Choosing the Right Needle: I found that a universal 75/11 embroidery needle was decent, but the 80/12 Microtex sharp needle was a game-changer. The stitches were more precise with less fuzzing.
Design Ideas: Simple redwork designs or those with running stitches are a dream on doilies. I absolutely loved how my heart stitch design turned out! ❤️ For more intricate designs, reduce the stitch count to avoid paper tearing.
The Hooping Process:
Size Matters: My 4″x4″ hoop kept everything snug. If the doily edges give you trouble, consider switching to a bigger hoop.
Placement: Avoid markers on your precious doily. I found embroidery target stickers to be a fantastic alternative.
Floating Technique: Directly hooping a doily? Nope! Lay it on the outer part of the hoop after securing the cut-away stabilizer inside. Ensure the stabilizer is slightly larger than your doily’s solid center. Spray some adhesive (like Odif 505) on the stabilizer, then gently press the doily onto it. Always align your centers!
Time for Magic:
Mount your hoop on the machine, positioning the needle to align with your placement sticker’s center (remember to remove the sticker before stitching). For optimal results, I recommend slowing down your machine. On my Brother SE1900, I dialed it down to 350spm.
Finishing Touches: After your artistry, release your doily gently. For a clean finish, trim away any excess stabilizer and cut jump threads delicately. If you need to iron out any wrinkles, do it on a low setting and always press from the back without steam.
Voila! Embroidered Doilies:
How delightful do these look? I can’t wait to showcase my monogrammed ones during our Easter breakfast!
At a Glance:
| Materials | Embroidery machine, Paper doilies, Medium-weight cut-away stabilizer, 80/12 sharp sewing needle, 40 wt polyester embroidery thread, Temporary fabric adhesive, Embroidery scissors, Placement stickers |
|---|---|
| Key Tips | Use cut-away stabilizer, Slow down the machine speed, Avoid markers for placement |
| End Result | Beautiful embroidered doilies perfect for any occasion! |