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Machine Embroidery Series – Upholstery
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! Upholstery Fabrics Let’s talk about Upholstery Fabrics, which include a wide variety of textures, patterns, weights, fiber content and weaves. Most materials sold under this heading are strong, durable and resist stains making them perfect for accessories such as tote bags, backpacks or even small purses. You will also find uses in home deco projects including placemats, throw pillows… and, yes, even actual upholstery! Although fiber content may vary, the shared characteristic is that these…
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Machine Embroidery Series – Paper
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! Embroidered Paper Several years ago, when first asked to present a machine embroidered paper project, my initial thought was…. “why?” Why invest time, not to mention the cost of materials, into a “disposable project”? Seriously? However, once the experimentation began, it was then I realized that paper is not only a fun foundation for machine embroidery, but it presents many wonderful possibilities, which I guarantee will never be thrown away! Some embroidered items, such as a card, may be treasured for the…
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Cork Fabric Needle Case – A Free In-The-Hoop Project
Cork Fabric Needle Case In-The-Hoop Project by Pamela Cox Supplies: 3-1/2”x 5-1/4” piece of cork fabric 3-1/2”x 5-1/4” piece of felt Sulky Soft ’n Sheer™ Stabilizer Sulky KK 2000™ Temporary Spray Adhesive Sulky 40 wt. Rayon thread Basic Needle Case Embroidery Design – Free download (Download is below) Color Chart for Needle Case – Free download (Download is below) Embroidery Design of Choice – optional (No larger than 1-1/2”x 2-1/4”.) Preparation: Download both the needle case design and the color chart here: Needle Case Emb Designs If a design is to be added to the cover of the needle case, open the basic case design in a software editing program. Be sure…
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Cork Fabric Embroidery (Plus a Free Project!)
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! Cork Fabric Cork, a natural product obtained directly from the bark of an evergreen oak tree – mostly found in Portugal – has been in use for thousands of years. Relatively recently, cork fabric has been developed by adhering thin cork sheets to a fabric backing. This innovative, new material presents the sewing world with a friendly, extremely versatile, medium to work with. Available in many colors and textures, cork fabric has the…
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In-The-Hoop Projects and Photo Frames – A Better Way (& a Valentine’s Day Gift!)
By Guest Blogger: Patti Lee, Vice President, Consumer Relations, Sulky of America I have fallen in love with in-the-hoop projects. Yes, the first prototype of each project takes some extra time; but once you’ve done the first one, they become easier and faster. My favorite thing about in-the-hoop designs is that when you’re done, you’re done. There is usually very little finish work once it is out of the hoop. We found this frame on at the embroiderylibrary.com – here is a link to the design/project Click here to download the “Hearts Abound” In-the-Hoop Frame Project. (Note: Fits in a 4 x 4 hoop.) You will need to sign in or…
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Machine Embroidery Series: Leather
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! Leather Leather is not as difficult to embroider on as one might imagine. However, it is important to first understand leather’s properties and then to follow a few rules to ensure success. “Fabric” is made up of woven or knitted threads which can stretch, move and recover. Leather does not have this “memory” and is therefore not forgiving. Once a mark, or a hole, has been made in leather, it is forever there. “Unforgiving marks” also encompass…
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Machine Embroidery Series – Delicate Fabrics
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! Delicate Fabrics Today, let’s talk about how to be successful when embroidering on light-weight, semi-sheer cloth. This fragile, woven-fabrics category is not specific to a fiber content. In other words: Batiste (cotton) Handkerchief linen (linen) Organza (silk) or one of the many synthetic fiber look alikes, all require the same steps and supplies for machine embroidery. Prior to use, it is always recommended to pre-wash and dry fabrics which can be cared for this way. This…
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Machine Embroidery Series – Embroider on Satin
How to Embroider on Satin 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! Embroider on Satin The fabric we call “satin”, actually refers to its weaving pattern which produces a shiny, slippery, easy to fray fabric. Read on for tips and techniques to embroider on satin with ease. The “fabric” can be manufactured from silk fibers, or synthetic threads, both sold under the “satin” label, although with much different price points! “Satin” fabrics produced by weaving cotton or polyester threads often are…
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Machine Embroidery Series – Velvet
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! Velvet Picture Christmas represented by a fabric…..it would be a rich, elegant fabric, yet soft to the touch, bringing joy when caressed. Only velvet can fulfill all these wishes! Originally made from silk, velvet is now manufactured from synthetic fibers bringing price points down without sacrificing the deep nap or the soft-flowing drape of the cloth. Check “care instructions” found at the end of the bolt as most velvets do require dry cleaning. Velvet should never be directly…
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Machine Embroidery Series – Embroider Felted Wool
Embroider Felted Wool Felted Wool? or is it Wool Felt? Felted wool and wool felt are terms often used interchangeably. But they are, in fact, two different materials. The common factor is that both fabrics are made from wool. The difference comes in the way the wool is processed. Wool felt is produced by applying moisture, heat and pressure directly to wool roving, compressing the roving into a solid compact fabric. Felted wool is a woven fabric, washed in hot water and dried at high temperatures. Basically, the woven fibers shrink into each other. Probably difficult to see in a photo, the red felted wool has a softer look and…
