I love sewing and own a Brother sewing machine which I got as a birthday gift from my parents back when I was 21 years old. My sewing machine does have a few embroidery stitches on it but nothing spectacular so I have always been interested in possibly getting an embroidery machine as they can do amazing things. Imagine being able to add embroidery and personalisation to all the things you make…it would be amazing!
When the Embroidery Machine Reviews website got in touch to ask if I would be interested in them writing a sponsored guest post for my blog on the topic of ‘Machine Embroidery Tips for Beginners’ I said yes straight away as I knew their post would be of interest to me and my readers.
You can read their guest post below………
7 Fail-Proof Machine Embroidery Tips for Beginners
“Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.”
— African Proverb
Any new hobby comes with its challenges. Embroidery is a little more complex than most because of the different techniques and the differences in your embroidery machines. It’s completely possible to learn to embroider by hand, but if you have real interest on tackling bigger projects, it’s almost impossible to do without a machine.
When you’re just starting out, there’s a lot to learn to get the most out of your embroidery machine. Follow these tips to get the most out of your embroidery machine, so you can take on your projects with confidence!
- Read the instructions
It seems obvious, but how often do you get a new gadget and completely ignore the instructions? Everyone’s machine is a little different, so it’s important to read the instructions thoroughly. Most embroidery machines come with software, to help you learn the basics, take care of your machine, and even work with digital patterns for the first time. Make use of that, and watch the whole thing!
- Ask Questions
If you’re not sure what kind of thread, or needles, or are having a hard time finding appropriate beginner projects to practice, craft stores and the store you bought your machine is a good place to find experts who can answer your questions. They’re also a good place to find beginner classes, to help you learn the basics in a comfortable environment. It’s important to be comfortable when you’re learning a new skill. Learning in a class is a good way to get familiar with a lot of the basics, so that when you go looking for patterns, needles, or thread type, you’ll know what you need, and can keep growing your skills and your projects!
- Start Small
That brings me to my next tip: Start small. When you’re picking up a new hobby, it can be tempting to give yourself a project that will teach you everything you need to know, at least once. Think about the adorable couple who have never swung a hammer, and want to buy a fixer-upper and renovate. Embroidery isn’t quite that expensive, but it can be tempting to overbuy material or patterns. But when you’re just starting out, you don’t want to stress out about the mistakes you’re making, or money you’re spending. So start with small, simple patterns, and don’t go crazy buying threads, needles, looms, or other material.
- Get The Basics Down
Classes will teach you everything from the right needles, to how to load your machine, but you can spend so much time reading and watching tutorial videos, and taking classes, you forget to actually learn the machine you’re working with. Everyone’s machine is a little different, so it’ll take some practice to work out how to load the machine, copy a pattern, and use your digital software. Hands-on practice may be intimidating, but learning basic stitches can go a long way. It also gives you the chance to experiment with various stitches, thread types, and materials, before tackling major projects.
- Learn Your Stitches
No matter what kinds of projects you want to take on, there are a few basic stitches you need to know.
Tatami
A Tatami stitch, so called because it’s inspired by Japanese woven mats, is an important first stitch to learn. It’s the perfect stitch for detailed but simple stitching like flowers, animals or holiday designs
Satin
The satin stitch is another basic embroidered line that’s smooth and solid, better for bigger areas. It’s good for filling in outlines, and for clear printed block letters. It gets its name for the smooth look it gives your projects.
- Organize Your Space
Not everyone has the space for a sewing room, but keeping your workspace organized is an important part of finishing your project. Embroidering is a lot of fun, but hunting around for scraps of fabric, half-finished hoops, or needles stuffed into wherever you could fit them. Getting lost adds to the stress of taking on any new project as a beginner. Most embroidery kits come with designated places for needles and various sizes of thread, and it’s a good idea to keep everything in a bigger basket or drawer, where you can keep your hoops, fabrics, and partially finished projects organized too. Store these close to wherever you keep your machine, either around a desk or table top, or, if you pack your machine in a closet when you’re not using it, keep it on a shelf nearby. That way, you’ll always have it on hand.
- Get to Know Your Digitizing Software
In some cases, your machine may come with it’s own digitizing software for making patterns. It’s a good idea to start with premade patterns until you’re familiar with stitch types, thread density, and other ins and outs of embroidery. If your machine doesn’t come with software, or you’re ready for something with a little more flexibility be sure to check the brand and model of the machine before you buy, to make sure they’re compatible. Always remember to try some test stitches out before you try to complete an intricate pattern or bigger project, so you can experiment with the thread density and needle size that works best for your project. That’ll cut down on wasted money, and materials. It’s also a lot better for your peace of mind!
Embracing a new creative outlet should be fun and exciting. But machine embroidery, like any other skill, takes a lot of practice to get right. It can be intimidating, when you’re starting out. It’s important to remember to forgive yourself, work slowly, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Learning through tutorials and classes are a great opportunity to master the basics, but you can only ever get better with hands-on practice with the machine. So dive in! You’ll be ready to handle intricate, customized designs in no time!
*This sponsored guest post was written for my blog by embroiderymachine.reviews