Learn Embroidery in a Simple Manner
What is embroidery? Embroidery is a technique in where a needle and thread are used to create a decoration on a piece of textile. It is a very popular technique that people enjoy as their hobby. Embroidery has been in existence for years as it formerly represented riches and success when worn in Europe. Nowadays, embroidery patterns can be seen on bed linens, clothing and decorative housewares. Technology has improved the art of embroidery, in that, sewing machines are now capable of doing embroidery. There are even firms in the trade of logo design using embroidery. Persons still enjoy doing embroidery by hand. There are 5 stitches that characterize hand embroidery. They are:
1. Outline – this is a running stitch that sketches the drawing on the fabric.
2. Satin – this is when stitches are done closely to fill in a gap to look like satin.
3. Lazy Daisy – this form of stitch is mostly used for flower petals.
4. Cross stitch – this is also used for completeing open areas.
5. French – this stitch is used to create small dots such as eyes.
For anyone who is knowledgeable in sewing, outline stitching which is the easiest kind of embroidery should be quite easy to master.
EMBROIDERY KITS
Embroidery kits are very widespread these nowadays and they are really effective in helping even apprentices to embroider. These kits contain all the necessary materials to get you started. The major contents of a typical embroidery kit are:
cloth
Embroidery needle (these usually have bigger eyes than the average needles to enable the embroidery yard)
Embroidery yarn or thread
Pattern
Directions
Embroidery hoop – this is very essential in embroidery. It is a round wooden frame that that contains two rings of wood that fit together. It is used to stretch the fabric and keep it rigid and flat to enable neat embroidery.
HOW TO EMBROIDER
Materials:
A plain piece of fabric (100% cotton or calico are the easiest to embroider).
Sharp lead pencil or washable marker
Embroidery pattern of your choice
Embroidery needle
Embroidery yarn
Embroidery hoop
Scissors
Steps:
1. Choose your desired fabric and use pencil or washable marker to draw a simple pattern on it. The pattern is easily seen under light-coloured textile. If you are using a dark coloured textile, tape the pattern to a well lit window pane and tape the fabric over it to make it easily visible.
2. Fix your embroidery hoop onto your textile ensuring that the textile is rigid.
3. Use scissors and cut about 25 inches of the yarn.
4. Embroidery threads are typically made up of 6 strands. unwind the strands and use 2 or 3 strands and make a knot at the end.
5. Thread the embroidery needle.
6. Poke the needle through the fabric from the back. From here onward, make stitches to create the outline of the decoration on the textile. Repeat until the whole sketch is complete.