Luna’s Ultimate Guide to Machine Embroidery Essentials
Embarking on your embroidery journey? Before diving in, ensure you have the necessary supplies to make your experience seamless! Remember, having the right tools at hand can make a huge difference in the final outcome.
Starting with Embroidery: The Essentials
Assuming you’ve gotten your embroidery machine (if not, the Brother SE1900 or Brother SE600 are awesome beginner choices), let’s dive into the must-have supplies:
- Embroidery Stabilizers: These provide support to your fabric, ensuring precision in your designs. Different types cater to varied fabric needs, but here’s a brief overview:
- Tear-Away: Ideal for stable fabrics like canvas and terry towels. Once done, you simply tear it off.
- Cut-Away: Perfect for stretchy materials like knits. It helps with densely-stitched designs and is simply cut off post-embroidery.
- No-Show Mesh (PolyMesh): A soft but strong cut-away ideal for light fabrics where you want minimal visibility.
- Sticky Stabilizer: Has adhesive on one side for easy fabric attachment.
- Water-Soluble Topping: Essential for fabrics like fleece. It’s dissolved with water after embroidery.
- Wash-Away Stabilizer: Placed at the back and dissolves with water post-embroidery.
- Embroidery Backing: Applied at the back of the completed design for added comfort.
- Embroidery Items & Applique Fabrics: These are the blank canvases – t-shirts, hats, towels, etc., you aim to embroider. Also, for applique, you’ll require applique fabrics.
- Embroidery Needles: Specialized needles offer optimal results. A 75/11 universal needle is a good starter pick.
- Threads: Beyond the provided spool, you’ll need additional threads. Polyester, rayon, or cotton are the go-to choices.
- Marking Supplies: Mark your fabric center for design alignment. Washable markers and chalk wheels are commonly used.
- Embroidery Scissors: Special scissors like double-curved and duckbill applique are crucial for precise cuts.
- Temporary Adhesive: Useful for attaching non-fusible stabilizers temporarily.
- USB Drive: Vital for machines without WiFi for transferring and updating designs.
Extra Embroidery Goodies You Might Fancy
While not essential, these can elevate your embroidery game:
- Embroidery Software: For custom designs and edits. Both free and paid options abound.
- Additional Hoops: Beneficial for multi-project work or varying embroidery sizes.
- Hat Hoop: Makes embroidering hats a breeze!
- Thread Stand Holder: For those larger spools or cones.
- Alignment Laser: Assists in perfecting your design centering.
- Books: Dive deeper with curated embroidery literature.
- Embroidery Removal Tools: For those little mistakes we all make!
- Spool Huggers & Bobbin Clamps: For that extra touch of organization.
