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3459I use a small strip of press and seal kitchen wrap to wrap around my thread. Keeps it from going everywhere.
I keep my bobbins seperate in film canisters. yes, I still use film sometimes. I label the top so I know what is what. I also use them for buttons of different colors sizes or craft supplies, such as beads.
You can also use old medicine bottles to store things in. Especially like glues or oils that you doh't want to leak every where.
2746This is not my tip but I love it. When I am making a bag I use a pieces of a tape measure to make it snap close. My husband goes through a lot of them and found a way to recycle them LOL
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17461What to do with all that embroidery floss for hand embroidery that's laying in a drawer...
Use all 6 strands in chorded pintucks. The bright colors show through light weight cotton in heirloom work adding a little background color
Use 3 strands for #10 crochet thread projects.
Wind in on a spool and use it as "braid" in decorative stitching.
Any more ideas?
7293I just read a tip in my Embroidery Machine Manual to use 100 wt (2ply), thread top and bottom, when embroidering small monograms etc. on fine material.
I haven't tried it but would be interested to hear if it works and how well.
hugs n roses, M
4 comments
by jrob
19 May 2009
I have done that on fine organza (happened to be a christening gown)and worked out great!
by 2createit
21 May 2009
I wish i read this before stitching 50 very fine hankercheifs, it would have been so much finer :(
by meganne
22 May 2009
Thanks jerrilyn, I always worry when digitising small lettering so can now advise to stitch with this thread. Hugs n roses, m
122864Before you monogram on a towel (especially one with heavy nap) IRON the loops in the normal direction that they were sewn in. If they want to lay down, iron them down, or if they want to go toward the left, iron them that way. After you have monogrammed,fluff it back up around the monogram you won't believe how much flatter it lies when you have sewn.
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by meganne
19 May 2009
Great idea Jerrilyn. I'll have to try to remember that one. hugs n roses, Meganne
158718There are some super ideas that Cutees have come up with and ones I will be trying so thanks to one and all. Ah just remembered I use the covering that garlic comes in to go over my threads. Saves the cost of buying or making
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115771When doing applique: It is best to starch your applique fabric before using - it is easier to trim the fabric when it is starched until nice & crisp.
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by michele921
20 May 2009
wow didn't know that I haven't done much applique the first time I tried it was awfull I just recently tried it again and it came out wonderful looking to do more now so that gave my a great tip thank you
by shirlener88
22 May 2009
isn't it wonderful - when we learn something that can help us in our embroidery and sewing? I love it.
211079To hide any left over fuzzies on an in-the-hoop project - I color the edges with a permanent ink magic marker.
211079I have been told you can use freezer paper for stablizer. Put shiney side next to machine so it will slide.
2360It's been a while since this question was asked and I thought it was about time. Lots of new tips. A few I already use and some new ones to try. Thanks everyone.
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by mops
18 May 2009
As I was admiring a pair of bootees my daughter got as a present, I said it would be so nice to be able to add those rubbery anti-skid dots yourself. Her answer: use a glue gun, but don't forget to put in a piece of cardboard. You'd think that would be obvious, but a friend of her, whom she had told the same, did forget...
12985At times when I embroidery, I make a needle changes. To help me know my needles better at a glance, when I get my needles I open them and use a Marker across the top of the red in another color, I leave my 75's red, my 90's are red and green, and etc. I do the same with my bobbins, put different color dots on them to know the difference in a glance whether they are embroidery or sewing thread bobbins. If I want to change colors. I wipe the marker colors off with alcohol. H&*.
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16434I love reading tips!!!! One I learned with weekend - that probably everyone else already knows.....add a second layer of water soluable stabilizer to thick-napped towels when monogramming. Thanks for the question!!!!*
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96283Use Fray Block when cutting close to stitches - allow to dry first - of coarse - great for cut work.
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by tyco4357
18 May 2009
That must be a new name for it. I have been looking for that but couldn't remember the name. I have to go shopping!
by shirlener88
18 May 2009
no, not a new name - but a wonderful brand - I bought mine at Walmart & K-mart for years and years.
by celticlady1031
18 May 2009
I'm still trying to figure out cut work. Thanks for the tip. I do have some Fray Check. Got it at Walmart. No sewing box is complete without it.
by shirlener88
22 May 2009
Cut work isn't has hard as one might think - if taught right from the beginning and some of the designers are coming up with some pretty cool ways of doing it - which helps alot more with the cutting and stitching.
211079I read this tip somewhere, can't remember where, but tried it this weekend and it was fantastic!!!
When hooping your design, to save using so much pressure on your fingers and thumbs, use a wooden rolling pin to push in the last two corners of the hoop.
What a phenomenal saving especially if you have arthritis.
Can highly recommend.
hugs n roses, M
122864I use a small wooden thread rack to line up the colors for a design. Keeps me on course for the next color to use. I put the rack on a folding tray table As I use them I move the next color over.
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by tyco4357
18 May 2009
I use the small table that my computer is on and line them up, talking to myself the whole time..to remember..LOL
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23265to stop buttons falling of shirts etc I put a dab of clear nail varnish on the stitches to the back of the garment. No lost buttons.
18167I have a few friends that have purchase those expensive thread stands that goes back behind the machine to make it easier changing out colors when embroidering. I use an egg carton I cut off the lid part and use the part where the eggs were and line my embroidery thread in the order which they will stitch out it keeps me organize and and it seems my stitching goes much faster. Hope this tip helps.
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by marjialexa
18 May 2009
Cool idea! My friend made me a thread rack, but I think this would work because I still have spools all over the place. Thanks! Marji
by michele921
20 May 2009
thank you I hate having all the spools all over the place when I am embroidering I usually have a couple of things to do and I have them everywere around the machine trying to keep them in order. now I will set them up for each project as I run them will keep me more organized. thank you
234Here's one I just read--wished I knew about it sooner.
When embroidering small areas, such as eyes and outlining, try using black lingerie bobbin thread (60 wt)
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by gerryb
17 May 2009
Now why didn't I think of that! Tks, daisy!! And I DO have some YLI lingerie thread I use in the bobbin when I need black.
by celticlady1031
18 May 2009
That's something I haven't heard of before. I have several spools of decorative thread in black and white. It's thinner than my emb. thread. The guy at the emb. shop suggested it. I use it for most of my bobbins and fsl. Your suggestion is another one to add to my list.
12707No but I look forward to hearing about what every one else does.
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