Embroidery

[Daisy]

A couple of days ago Grauntie mentioned machine embroidery (I think she called it free form). I can't find her original post, but it sounded interesting. Can anyone explain - Grauntie???

[Oma]

Daisy free style is when you make it up as you go along no formal pattern you move the hoop where you like , well that's how I was taught it but it takes a certain knack to master it Mine looked like something a child would do

[Plantaholic]

I have tried it, needs a lot of practice, it is like drawing with a machine needle.

[Nana]

I love it. So much freedom. You need a special 'foot' to do it tho' Daisy ...like a little ring/hoop type thing.

[Daisy]

It sounds really interesting, and I'd love to see photos if anybody has some.

It also sounds highly skilled! Can you use different stitches, or does that depend on what your machine offers?

[Plantaholic]

Most machines have embroidery patterns but this is slightly different, Nana used it on my present from her she sent to us in B'ham last year. You have to be very careful not to stab your finger.

[Grauntie Mag]

Sorry for the delay Daisy. Plant is correct. It is like drawing with a sewing machine. Nana we didn’t use a foot at all, but were warned about stabbing our fingers! Also you have to drop the feed dog.(spikey bit on the lower part of a machine that normally feeds the fabric through) The hoop we used was 9” as anything bigger would be difficult to sew in the centre. If the project is bigger you just move the hoop along. We practiced freehand with straight stitch first, then appliqué. I found it difficult to do anything precisely although an erratic effect can be eye catching 😁. We learned how to ‘colour in’ which is just sewing lines very close together. Different directions give different effects.
We drew our design on the fabric first but anything can be used. The world is your lobster. You could add beads etc. or do a bit of fancy stitching on top after removing the hoop though I think you would have to re-enstate the feed dog and use a foot to do this. Not sure. Pinterest has some beautiful designs.

[Daisy]

Grauntie - it's really intriguing me - and it sounds very skilful! Off to Pinterest to see some examples.

Hehehe - the effects of being 'erratic' sound right up my street - not that I can even set the tension on my machine!

[Qwerty]

This sounds like a very technical skill ladies , can’t even spell embroidery but my predictive text does I will leave you to it

[Grauntie Mag]

The tutor also said that if your work is loopy underneath then generally speaking the top tension needs adjusting and if the top stitch is wrong then have a look at the bobbin area. The bottom thread does show through very slightly anyway, so it is better to have the same colour thread if you want to avoid this.

[Daisy]

Grauntie - I'm sure mine would be loopy all over! Actually that's helpful, because I didn't know how to fix it when the stitches are uneven. I've learned something today!

[Grauntie Mag]

Always happy to talk sewing Daisy. 😉

[Daisy]

Grauntie - thanks. It's something that fascinates me and I'd love to have the skill to make beautiful textile projects - but I can just about sew a button on!

My mother didn't sew (unusual for her generation), we didn't have needlework lessons at school - one term only didn't teach me much! I learned an easy way to make great big skirts as a teenager - the sort you'd wear 6 starched petticoats under and an auntie taught me basic embroidery stitches. When we were moving around a lot I used to make curtains. But a friends dragged me to a day's quilting course one day, and I made a cushion cover. I was so proud of it, and the teacher let me use her posh Bernina sewing machine. It was so smooth and easy to use, it made sewing seem like a possibility, but I never felt I could justify buying one on the offchance I might learn how to use it properly!