The Stick and Pin Technique
Some fabrics will not work well with the embroidery hoops. You
can certainly embroidery without the hoop if the material does not
work well with it. However, if you do so, you will need the
following materials. First, begin with the item to embroider and the
embroidery thread and bobbin thread stabilizer. (This could be
tearaway, cutaway or washaway, depending upon the technique used.
You may also use self-stick or water stick tearaway stabilizer.) Use
temporary spray adhesive; chalk markers or washaway markers;
straight pins; centering ruler and your design to embroider.
For a beginner to intermediate level, depending on the difficulty of
the fabric, use the following step by step process.
First Step: Use the chalk/washaway marker to draw cross marks on the
fabric where you intend to place the embroidery. Insert straight
pins at the center of the lines; this should be about 1" away from
the center in four directions; or about 2" away for a 6" x 10" hoop.
Then with the right sides together, fold the item along the top to
bottom pins.
Second Step: Take the appropriate hoop for your design and hoop the
tearaway stabilizer; with the chalk or washaway to guide you in
centering the design, draw lines from side to side and top to
bottom, preferably using the flexible centering ruler; use the
temporary spray to spray the hooped stabilizer (you could also use
self-stick or water-stick stabilizer). Use the flexible centering
ruler
Third Step: Put the folded project on the hooped or sprayed
stabilizer. Take you pins to line up your project with the lines on
the hoop. Make sure the pins line up with the marks; reposition your
project if necessary. If the fabric slips as you rearrange it,
respray the fabric. When you are satisfied that the project is
properly aligned, lay the washaway stabilizer on top, if the fabric
needs it (fabrics such as loose weaves or velvets will probably need
it). Then anchor all layers to the hooped stabilizer using at least
four pins. You will find that the washaway material helps the thread
so that it will not sink into the fabric. Also extra pins may be
needed with the larger hoops.
Fourth Step: Insert the card/disk into the embroidery machine, then
position the hoop project and adjust the placement on the screen if
needed. You may find that you need to rotate the design depending on
how the project was hooped. If you see the need, switch to black
bobbin thread. Then embroider the design(s) and remove the
stabilizers. Finally, press your project.
Fifth Step: This method works well if you need to machine quilt
top/batting/back units. If it is an option on your machine, use the
built-in rectangular frame pattern. You need to enlarge to fill the
hoop. This technique will keep designs in place for a 6" x 10" hoop
(especially with quilt batting). This "stick & pin" method is ideal
for creating larger combined designs if your machine only allows a
4" x 4" hoop capability.
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