Accessories for embroidery machines

What other accessories do I need for machine embroidery? Everything about tools, threads, and stabilizers.

Hello and welcome back to my blog!

I'm so glad you're reading my blog again :) Have you found your favorite embroidery machine yet? In my previous post, "Which embroidery machine should I buy?", you'll find some helpful information to guide your decision.

This section will focus on what additional equipment you'll need for your embroidery machine, beyond the basic supplies. Besides fabric, fine and large fabric scissors, a ruler, a measuring tape, and an iron, you'll need access to a laptop or PC specifically for embroidery, to save embroidery files to your machine. I'll write more about this in a later post.

yarns

Besides an embroidery machine, a selection of embroidery threads is essential for basic embroidery equipment. Regular sewing threads are not strong enough for embroidery and are therefore unsuitable. Local retailers and online shops offer a wide range of threads from various manufacturers, including basic sets, small color families, and individual cones. These selections are also categorized by quality. Viscose threads, for example, have a particularly beautiful sheen, while polyester threads offer exceptional durability. Other decorative threads available include multicolor threads for stunning color effects, metallic threads, and specialty threads that even glow in the dark.

For the embroidery designs from Cora Design, you will find the appropriate yarn numbers from the particularly extensive range of Madeira Rayon (viscose), so that you can recreate each design with all shades true to the template.

Underyes

For the bobbin, you need a lower thread, also called a bobbin, which is available on smaller and larger cones, as well as pre-wound on small disposable spools, in black and white. The color of the bobbin thread is usually not visible on the front of the embroidery, but only on the back. Therefore, white bobbin thread is probably used much more often, as black bobbin thread might show through light-colored fabrics.

Embroidery stabilizer

The choice of stabilizer should be based on your specific project. It helps ensure good stability within the hoop for the embroidery, which is fundamental for a beautiful result. Always consider what kind of design you want to embroider and on what fabric. A large, intricate embroidery design requires more stability than an appliqué. Denim fabric offers plenty of stability on its own and doesn't need much support from stabilizer. Conversely, a very lightweight cotton fabric needs relatively more support. Therefore, it's advisable not to skimp on stabilizer. The embroidery designs from Cora Design usually include instructions for using two layers of Madeira Rayon Cotton Soft tear-away stabilizer (50 g/m²) on a sturdy cotton or linen fabric. These designs have been extensively tested with this stabilizer on various models and by many people, ensuring a beautiful embroidery result. For smooth operation and a clean embroidery image, the embroidery machine needs a firm, stable fabric surface, which you can achieve by choosing the right stabilizer and hooping it securely. I will write more about framing in a later post.

Sometimes you might want to remove the stabilizer completely after embroidering, or you might need a special stabilizer for jersey or a particularly strong stabilizer for very heavy fabrics. Specialty retailers offer a variety of stabilizers for all these situations. I'll explain the most commonly used types of stabilizer in detail:

Tear fleece

It is characterized by the fact that it provides good stability to the embroidery within the frame. After the embroidery is complete, it can be removed by gently pulling it off. To do this, press your thumb onto the back of the embroidery and carefully tear the stabilizer away with your other hand. Hardly any stabilizer residue remains, and the embroidery becomes soft and flowing. However, be careful, as embroidery stabilizer also has a stabilizing effect on very lightweight fabrics and prevents puckering caused by thread pulls. It will automatically become softer with repeated washing.

Cutting fleece

After embroidery, the backing is carefully removed with scissors, leaving a small margin around the edge of the embroidery. This leaves a small amount of backing material, which helps prevent unsightly waviness but can cause skin irritation when embroidering clothing, especially children's and baby clothes. Extra care should be taken when removing the backing; use suitable, not-too-large, and rounded scissors. It's easy to cut a hole in the fabric.

Iron-on embroidery stabilizer

As the name suggests, this stabilizer is ironed onto the fabric before embroidery, bonding it firmly to the fabric. It remains in place after the embroidery is complete and is not removed. It provides good stability to the fabric and is usually somewhat softer than tear-away or cut-away stabilizer. This stabilizer is often used for elastic or very lightweight, flowing fabrics. Because it remains on the back after embroidery and is fixed over a relatively large area for hooping, there is a possibility that the stabilizer may show through the fabric on the front later.

Water-soluble nonwoven fabric and water-soluble film

Water-soluble stabilizer can be completely removed after embroidery by briefly soaking it in lukewarm water. It is helpful for embroidery that should be somewhat transparent later, such as lace (free-standing lace, FSL).

The counterpart to this, the water-soluble film, is placed on top of the fabric and helps with processing high-pile fabrics, such as terry cloth, piqué, or even with clean embroidery on elastic fabrics. It lowers the pile, which would otherwise work its way back up with each stitch of the embroidery, resulting in an uneven finish.

Heat-soluble embroidery fleece

The embroidery can be completely removed after hot ironing using a (kitchen) towel placed over the fabric. It is suitable for sturdy fabrics that can withstand extensive treatment with a very hot iron.

Adhesive fleece

Adhesive stabilizer is a backing with an adhesive side to which the fabric to be embroidered is attached. It is particularly well-suited for embroidering jersey. The fabric can simply be placed on the adhesive side or, for even greater stability, clamped together with the stabilizer. In the first case, additional securing with a running stitch helps. If the fabric is clamped together with the stabilizer, it must not be stretched taut, otherwise it will pucker and ripple after embroidery. Adhesive stabilizer sometimes requires an additional layer of tear-away or cut-away stabilizer underneath for optimal stability. The adhesive stabilizer can also be removed after embroidery by carefully plucking or cutting around the embroidery.

Black or white

When choosing the color of your stabilizer, you should consider the color of the fabric you'll be embroidering. White stabilizer is usually suitable because it won't show through the fabric, or at least not very much. Black stabilizer is also suitable for darker or black fabrics, especially if the inside of a jacket might be visible when embroidering the chest.

Many embroidery stabilizers are available in different thicknesses and types from various manufacturers. To find the optimal stabilizer for your project and the specific fabric you're using, retailers offer starter sets with different types of stabilizers in small sample sizes. You'll quickly develop a feel for which stabilizer is best suited to your project. When using Cora Design's embroidery motifs, you can use the suggested fabrics and stabilizers as a guide, or adapt your stabilizer to the specific fabric. The more stitches you have and the larger your hoop, the more securely the fabric should be positioned within the hoop.

Of course, there are many other useful tools for the embroidery machine. I will address these here and there in my future blog posts. But these should first reflect the most important basic equipment so that we can get started.

My next blog post will be about how to save an embroidery file to your embroidery machine.

Until then, I wish you all the best and much joy with your embroidery machine!

Sincerely,

Cora Sandra