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How to start machine embroidery! Here’s everything that you need to get started with machine embroidery! Without spending too much!
Are you interested in sewing? Recommended read: 10 things you'll need to start sewing!
1. You are going to need an embroidery machine. You can use any embroidery machine you want. Here are a couple of examples:
- The Brother se600. This machine can do both sewing and embroidery, and is the best budget embroidery machine! I highly suggest this machine.
- The brother pe550D! This is an embroidery-only machine, with awesome Disney embroidery designs!
- The brother se1900.
I recommend the Brother brand for sewing and embroidery machines.
To note here: determine your budget, determine how much you have to spend on embroidery supplies (and blanks) and how much you have to spend on your machine. Purchase the largest embroidery hoop that you can afford! The se600 is an amazing machine and I highly recommend it, but you will outgrow that 4x4 hoop quick. But, it is also an amazing budget machine, and the next hoop size up is quite a jump in $. So, determine your budget and research.
Recommend read: how to make the choice on an embroidery machine
2. You are going to need somewhere to get your embroidery designs!
- You can find some in my Etsy shop
- I also suggest Creative Fabrica
- This site also has tons of embroidery designs
- For now, you can even just use the designs built into your machine!
3. You are going to need stabilizers. The stabilizer prevents many problems from happening, like puckering.
Lots of people use multiple different types of stabilizers, but there are three main types.
First, cutaway stabilizer. A cutaway stabilizer can be used on clothes and tons of different types of fabric, some people even use cutaway on the back of towels too.
I use cutaway the most, and I purchase it pre-cut, you can also get it in rolls. I think that you will find that pre-cut is much more convenient!
Lots of people use multiple different types of stabilizers, but there are three main types.
First, cutaway stabilizer. A cutaway stabilizer can be used on clothes and tons of different types of fabric, some people even use cutaway on the back of towels too.
I use cutaway the most, and I purchase it pre-cut, you can also get it in rolls. I think that you will find that pre-cut is much more convenient!
Second, tearaway. If you are on a tight budget then this one is probably not a necessity.
It’s very convenient if you have a lightweight design (not dense) because you can tear it away and you don’t have to have a stabilizer showing on the back.
It’s very convenient if you have a lightweight design (not dense) because you can tear it away and you don’t have to have a stabilizer showing on the back.
If you wear it don't tear itThis saying means that if you are embroidering a piece of clothing or something that you wear, use a cutaway stabilizer and not a tearaway stabilizer.
Recommended read: What is tear away stabilizer
Third, wash away. Also known as a water-soluble stabilizer. This stabilizer is mainly used as a topping on towels or material that the design might sink into.
Wash away is mainly used to prevent the embroidery design from sinking into the fabric.
Recommended read: Guide To The Three Main Machine Embroidery Stabilizers
Third, wash away. Also known as a water-soluble stabilizer. This stabilizer is mainly used as a topping on towels or material that the design might sink into.
Wash away is mainly used to prevent the embroidery design from sinking into the fabric.
Recommended read: Guide To The Three Main Machine Embroidery Stabilizers
4. You’re going to need embroidery thread. A lot of people have problems with their thread shredding or breaking.
I suggest New Brothread, this brand also has multiple great reviews, and you can get multiple different thread sizes!
I also suggest getting these spool savers as embroidery thread unravels easily!
I also suggest getting these spool savers as embroidery thread unravels easily!
Also, you’re going to need somewhere to store your thread, for example, you can use a thread rack.
But, the cheapest way to store them is to put them in a shoebox!
But, the cheapest way to store them is to put them in a shoebox!
5. You’re going to need some bobbin thread. You can buy bobbin thread and wind your own bobbins, but it's so much easier to just buy pre-wound bobbins to start out.
The only problem with winding your bobbins is that it might cause problems like bobbin thread showing on top.
The reason you can't use normal embroidery thread as your bobbin thread is that the normal embroidery thread is 40wt.
Make sure that you check that the bobbin will fit your machine. If you have a Brother se600 it might not be listed in the description, so look for Brother se400 in the description compatibility list!
Recommended read: Should you use prewound bobbins for machine embroidery
6. On your machine is a thread holder. Don’t use it! It has only caused trouble!
Get a cup and place it behind your machine with your thread in it. This is a replacement for a thread stand.
What the cup or thread stand does, is it lets the thread be relaxed longer before it goes into the thread guides.
6. On your machine is a thread holder. Don’t use it! It has only caused trouble!
Get a cup and place it behind your machine with your thread in it. This is a replacement for a thread stand.
What the cup or thread stand does, is it lets the thread be relaxed longer before it goes into the thread guides.
Recommended read: why you should use a thread stand.
7. Embroidery machine needles.
Your machine will come with some, but you are going to want more in case they break or bend and they will get dull.
7. Embroidery machine needles.
Your machine will come with some, but you are going to want more in case they break or bend and they will get dull.
Recommended read: When should I change the needle for machine embroidery
A repositionable hoop allows you to do designs that are bigger than the area your machine does. For example, on machines that have a 4 X 4 embroidery area, you can purchase a 6.75 X 4 repositionable hoop.
The only problem with repositionable hoops is that you have to split the design and to split an embroidery design you have to have machine embroidery software.
Before learning to use a repositional hoop, I recommend first learning how to use your machine and how to embroider.
Recommended read: How to hoop fabric for machine embroidery
9. Everything else will come with your machine!
There will be scissors that come with your machine, but you'll probably want to purchase curved ones.
Curved scissors will help get those pesky jump stitches! They will also help if you want to do applique!
There will be scissors that come with your machine, but you'll probably want to purchase curved ones.
Curved scissors will help get those pesky jump stitches! They will also help if you want to do applique!
Recommended read: How to cut those pesky jump stitches
10. Patience! There is a big learning curve for machine embroidery, but I know you can do it! Just have patience! If you're having problems, here's a bunch of articles to help you troubleshoot.
10. Patience! There is a big learning curve for machine embroidery, but I know you can do it! Just have patience! If you're having problems, here's a bunch of articles to help you troubleshoot.
Recommended read: 5 Of the Best Tools to Have for Embroidery
Recommended read: Machine embroidery troubleshooting fixes guide
Recommended: Embroidery projects
Recommend read: Where to get blanks
Recommended read: Is Machine Embroidery Too Difficult For Me?
Thank you so much for your insights! They are very much appreciated and I can’t wait to start Embroidery.
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