Despite of its old-fashioned genre, embroidery stitching is still very popular with those who enjoy producing creative pieces of art with their own hands. No matter how advanced your embroidery machine might be, the basis of great embroidery lies on your own creativity and some useful techniques. Once you have made up your mind to try your hands at it and give an expression of your creativity, it is important for you to know some basic things that would help you to enhance your masterpieces. Before you start stitching, keep a note on the following components which play a vital role in the quality and beauty of your embroidery work.
1. Stitching Design
Different types of designs have different types of look, appeal and effect on the finished work. Be it too many or too few, might either affect the overall quality of the product and thus, you need to careful while selecting the pattern and design of fill-stitches.
2. Stabilizer Selection
It is very important to choose the right kind of stabilizer in order to bring the desired effect to your work of art. Stabilizers help in reducing distortion of the fabric as you stitch. The way you attach the stabilizer to the fabric also influences the extent of fabric distortion and affect the overall work quality. Remember that the stabilizer needs to be tightly and densely attached to the fabric so that it does keep moving while you are stitching on it. You may use adhesive sprays or hydro-sticks which help the fabric to remain tightly attached with the stabilizer. Different types of fabrics may require different types of stabilizers to bring the best results.
3. Thread Selection
The two primary types of threads used in embroidery stitching include Rayon and Polyester. While Rayon has a thin texture, Polyester is stronger and durable than the other. However, in spite of being thin, Rayon is used in some of the most beautiful looking works. The point is, you need to decide on the type of thread you want to use depending on the design you have chosen for yourself. Make sure that the color of the thread matches to the pattern of your embroidery. Choose colors which are visually appealing and yet blend with the design patterns.
4. Trimming the Threads
Keep trimming the thread jumps whenever there is a change of color. This will help you avoid stitching over jumping threads at the end of your finished work.
5. Hooping Method
The hooping method determines the alignment of your stitching with the design and its outlines. The fabric and the stabilizer need to be hooped in such a way that they are as tightly secured as possible. Always ensure that there are no wrinkles in the fabric while you are hooping. Wrinkles on the fabric would make the fabric move, thus, affecting the alignment of the stitches. Also, note that varied fabrics might demand different types of hooping methods and thus, apply your hooping method accordingly.
6. Area Selection
Proper selection of the stitching area is an important factor behind the enhancement of the appeal of the embroidery work. Usually, to maximize the appeal, the area of the garment which is most visible is chosen for displaying the work of art. There can be exceptions to this rule, depending on the length and use of the fabric or personal choice. Thus, choose your embroidery area accordingly.
7. Stitch Rehearsal
Before you start stitching on the actual fabric that you intend to work on, test the different aspects of stitching on a rough piece of cloth, which is similar to the one that you would actually work on. This will help you get an idea of the thread tension, stabilizing problems, look and feel of the design and thus, you will know what all to adjust while working on the actual fabric.
8. Adjusting Thread Tension
Too much or too less thread tension can affect the quality of the finished work. While excessive thread tension can be the reason of breaking threads, inadequate tension may lead to loosening of the bobbin thread. Thus, adjust and see that the thread tension is maintained at an appropriate level so as to ensure a smooth stitching flow.