Machine Embroidery Series
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Sue Hausmann Machine Embroidery FAQs
Machine Embroidery FAQs with Sue Hausmann, sewing expert & host of America Sews The following machine embroidery FAQs is comprised of questions we hear a lot at Sulky, whether asked during one of our virtual events, via email or on our Ask the Experts page. These have been answered by Sue Hausmann, one of the most knowledgeable people in the embroidery industry. To celebrate National Embroidery Month, we’re kicking things off with Sue and her expert advice! ABOUT SUE HAUSMANN Sue Hausmann has been sewing since her first 4-H project at the age of 10 and she has been inspired and mentored by neighbors, friends and work colleagues all her…
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Machine Embroidery Basics & Beyond Webcast
Machine Embroidery Basics & Beyond a FREE Webcast with Sulky Newbies and experts alike will learn tips and tricks for machine embroidery success in this free webcast. Ellen March will explain the basic functions of embroidery machines, with special attention given to embroidery designs and supplies to make things easier and ensure quality stitchouts. You’ll also learn fundamental embroidery terms, from techniques to design anatomy, that will help you navigate projects with better understanding and ease. Learn about working with different thread types and weights and when/how to substitute threads in any given design. Also, learn about different stabilizer types to determine which one to use and when. All registrants of this free webcast will receive an…
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Machine Embroidery FAQs with Patti Lee
Machine Embroidery FAQs from Patti Lee & Sue Hausmann The machine embroidery topic is the consistent winner for most questions asked at Sulky. Patti Lee, Sulky VP of Consumer Relations, answers most of these FAQs, via info@sulky.com and through our Ask the Expert portal at sulky.com. Patti compiled the FAQs from her years at the computer screen and on the phone, helping folks like you navigate Sulky products and projects. Read on to discover answers to questions you might have, too, and start off National Embroidery Month with lots of troubleshooting tips! STABILIZER What’s the Right Stabilizer to Use? The “right” stabilizer depends on the fabric and the quality…
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Understanding Machine Embroidery Terms
Understanding Machine Embroidery Terms by Pamela Cox Understanding machine embroidery terms is essential for navigating through techniques and expanding your machine embroidery skills. Don’t hold back on adding machine embroidery to your sewing bag of tricks because of the word “computerized” or “digital.” Enjoying machine embroidery doesn’t require expert-level computer knowledge! The embroidery machine (a computer in its own right) easily interfaces, or “works with,” the home computer with little effort and minimum knowledge. Machine Embroidery Design Language Why can you not view an embroidery design on your home computer without using software? Embroidery designs are created only for specialized computers, specifically embroidery machines. A home computer, which can perform…
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Pillow of the Month: How to Make a Trapunto Pillow
Pillow of the Month: Trapunto Pillow by Pamela Cox Continuing on our Pillow of the Month series, we’ll learn how to make a trapunto pillow using two methods. Trapunto is a hand-stitching technique in which designated areas within an embroidered pattern are stuffed, producing raised areas. The Trapunto effect is easily mimicked using an embroidery machine. Special collections digitized to copy a Trapunto 3-D effect are available on many embroidery sites. However, when learning how to make a Trapunto pillow, you may be surprised to find suitable designs already in your personal design library. Line designs, especially those with large open spaces, work well imitating Trapunto when stitched over a…
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Machine Embroidered Cork Key Fobs
Machine Embroidered Cork Key Fobs By Pamela Cox Making these machine embroidered cork key fobs were quite easy (and fun!). Cork Fabric is one of my top favorite materials to stitch on! It cuts easily and the edges do not fray. It also easily feeds through a sewing machine, allowing a true seam to be stitched, and it even accepts machine embroidery! Specific information about working with Cork Fabric can be found in Sulky’s Materials Blog Archives. Key Fob Instructions The basic concept is to embellish a strip of cork fabric, back it with another strip, trim, and add hardware! Yes, it really is that easy! It takes more time…
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How to Achieve Perfect Design Placement
Perfect Design Placement by Pamela Cox Although there are rulers, plastic templates, charts suggesting where a design should be stitched on any given item, and even fancy laser lights with the sole purpose of aiding in perfect embroidery design placement… you already have all the necessary tools to ensure proper design placement right at your fingertips! Follow these easy steps to take the imagined difficulty out of the process: Know the size of the intended design: Find this information on either the color chart, in an editing software program, or by checking on the embroidery machine’s screen (if your model offers this feature). Use a calculator if need be, to…
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Machine Embroidery Series: Cotton+Steel Thread & Embroidery Designs
Machine Embroidery Series Cotton+Steel Thread by Sulky & New Cotton+Steel Scout Embroidery Collection When was the last time you really got excited over thread? If the answer is “Not for quite a while.”, the new answer is “Right Now!” Proudly announcing the newest addition to the Sulky Thread Family… Name: Cotton+Steel Thread Born: 2017 Weight: 50 Size: 660 yard spools Proud Parents: Sulky and Cotton+Steel, a division of RJR Fabrics Sulky recently teamed up with a wonderful, funky group of designers, Cotton+Steel, to bring their unique awareness of fabric color into the world of Sulky Thread! Cotton+Steel 50 wt. Thread is made from 100% Egyptian grown, Extra-Long Staple cotton. It is spun…
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Machine Embroidery Series: Sulky Specialty Threads
Sulky Specialty Threads This series is written by guest blogger, Pamela Cox. Pamela is an expert embroiderer, designer, digitizer and all around wonderful girl! We are so happy to have her contributing to the Sulky Blog! We have been exploring all types of Sulky Thread in our last few blog segments and have learned about individual properties and potential usage for 40 wt. Rayon, 60 wt. PolyLite™, 40 wt. PolyDeco™, and 12 wt. and 30 wt. Cotton Thread (including Sulky Cotton Blendables® Thread) ! We have also been exposed to the creative possibilities of stitching, or accenting, an embroidery design in one of the many threads from the Sulky Metallic Family: Original,…
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Machine Embroidery Series: Metallic Thread
Specialty Threads: Metallic Thread This series is written by guest blogger, Pamela Cox. Pamela is an expert embroiderer, designer, digitizer and all around wonderful girl! We are so happy to have her contributing to the Sulky Blog! If you have been following the Sulky Blog about “Thread”, hopefully you agree that one of the most important elements needed for stitching exquisite machine embroidery is to have a variety of Sulky Threads on hand to select from! There is really not a single “perfect thread”, but rather “perfect choices” for different applications. For example, 60 wt. PolyLite™ is best for lettering, while Sulky 40 wt. Rayon reflects the luster of…
