| embroidery design is fast, efficient and time saving. | | | | modern hoop, you squeeze a pair of handles on the |
| This means that you can embroider any fabric in no | | | | inner ring to take it out. You then place your fabric |
| time at all with quality results. It also means that you | | | | over the over the outer ring, put the inner ring back into |
| can work with a variety of fabrics and produce top | | | | its place. Though the modern hoop is easier to use, the |
| notch embroidery designs. Free machine embroidery | | | | old hoop provides better tension. |
| design is done by using an ordinary zigzag sewing | | | | A Stabilizer. Stabilizers prevent puckering and slipping |
| machine and fabric with an ordinary embroidery hoop. | | | | while you embroider your design. There are a variety |
| This process of creating embroidery is known as 'free | | | | of stabilizers available in the market today. It is |
| machine embroidery' because the embroidery hoop | | | | important that you only use a stabilizer on the backside |
| here is completely controlled by a person's hand rather | | | | of your embroidery, as it is otherwise very difficult to |
| then being fixed to a machine as it is normally done. | | | | get off. |
| This kind of machine embroidery design is fun and | | | | Fabric. It is important that your fabric fits your |
| easy to do, and does not require the purchase of an | | | | embroidery hoop well and it is not too small, otherwise |
| expensive computerized sewing machine. However to | | | | you will not be able to create the correct tension to |
| produce good quality free machine embroidery | | | | sew on your embroidery design. Make sure you |
| designs, it is vital that you practice a lot so that you are | | | | measure the fabric you want to embroider on so that |
| able to freely move the embroidery hoop according to | | | | it fits properly in the hoop. |
| specific design you would like to embroider. | | | | Thread. Choosing the correct thread is very important |
| What you need | | | | when you are considering using free machine |
| To create free machine embroidery designs you will | | | | embroidery designs. You can either use everyday |
| need the following: | | | | polyester all-purpose thread or you can use 100% |
| * A zigzag sewing machine with a drop feed control. | | | | rayon embroidery thread. Remember if you are using |
| This means that your sewing machine should be able | | | | polyester thread it can weaken the fabric you are |
| to lower its dogs teeth, so that they do not feed the | | | | embroidering on. |
| fabric. Plus, it also lets you vary the width of your | | | | Bobbin thread. As you cannot see this thread in your |
| zigzag stitches. | | | | embroidery design you can use any thread you feel |
| * An embroidery foot or a needle with an embroidery | | | | like. However, some people think it best to use a softer |
| spring. An embroidery foot helps to hold down the | | | | 100% cotton thread to ensure that the bobbin thread |
| fabric against the throat plate, letting you see what you | | | | does not break the embroidery thread. |
| are doing. On the other hand you can use a needle | | | | To create a free machine embroidery design it is |
| that has a kind of embroidery spring built into it. This | | | | important that you stretch your fabric as tight as |
| spring holds the fabric in place and is easier to use. | | | | possible over your hoop so that you create enough |
| However they also tend to be a bit more expensive | | | | tension. The tighter your fabric is in the hoop the better |
| and if it is broken you have to replace it entirely. If you | | | | your chances of creating an excellent embroidery |
| use an embroidery needle with a spring also keep in | | | | design. After you place the hoop on the table the |
| mind that you do not need to use a presser foot. | | | | fabric surface should rest facing up. Put the |
| * An embroidery hoop. An embroidery hoop is | | | | embroidery on to hold the fabric in place and then |
| essential to create free machine embroidery designs. | | | | place the embroidery hoop on the sewing area. Now |
| Currently there are two main kinds of embroidery | | | | you are ready to fashion a free machine embroidery |
| hoops in the market. One is an old-fashioned variety | | | | design. Remember to trace your pattern onto your |
| made from wood that has an outer ring and inner ring. | | | | fabric before you put it on the hoop, and make sure |
| You can use this hoop by loosening the outer ring, and | | | | that you have had plenty of practice using a zigzag |
| placing your fabric over the inner ring and then | | | | sewing machine. |
| tightening the ring on the outside again. With the more | | | | |