thanks

Hi Bunny, Sorry I haven't embroidered on vinyl though I have sewn many vinyl items and I always use a ballpoint needle especially made for stitching on vinyl. I know these needles are available for embroidery too.

You can't go past the tutorials on Embroidery Library for the kind of help you need. link below look for faux leather.
Hugs n roses, Meganne

If you are making boat seat covers, I would think that the embroidery part would be the easiest part of the job. We have had so many boats over the last 35 years, and not one of them has had an embroidery design on the seats. Of course don't think of hooping your fabric-have you even looked and measured the fabric for a seat? I don't think you have even thought about this question, or you wouldn't have asked. Doesn't even make sense to me. Good luck--let your brother go shopping somewhere else.

I agree with ssarner I also use a needle 4 leather & use stickey - you would struggle with a hoop - hope all turns out well xx

Bunnylane,
I do the same as ssarner.
I also use a special needle (for leather)

Yes, I did both vinyl and leather. You do need special needle for that. Call you embroidery machine dealer. The other thing is I also thin the stitches because if the stitches are too thick and dense, the edge will seperate. I did not hoop my. I used sticky which is the hoopless stabilizer or the vilene prespray with 505 on it. That way you won't get hoop burn. Hope all these are helpful to you.

1 comment

by susieq2u 02 Sep 2009

I would also recommend not hooping your fabric. Hoop the stabilizer and adhear with spray or sticky. I am coincidentally looking for special thread for just your project. It is called dope or solution dyed embroidery thread. Marine thread will not work as it is just to bulky to go through the machine. Currently I am only able to fine dealers overseas for these threads. (I am in USA). They are UV and chemical resistant.