I wanted to ask this before I start any projects. How do you embroider on velvet? Are there any tricks up anyone's sleeves? This enquiring mind wants to know.

You could also use a "Heat n Melt" stabiliber for the top. Use a hot iron close to the stabilizer or I've been told a hot blow dryer will remove the Heat n Melt and it leaves no residue or any tiny bits to pick out either.

I never hoop velvet, use med wt cut away stabilizer, pin velvet to stabilizer(pin well) velvet will stretch , if it's real deep pile velvet I use 2 layers of WSS on top, Turns out well. I tear away & use tweezers to get all WSS off the design(No H2O should b used) *

I have done names on velvet projects. I just used spay adhesive and placed the velvet on top and wss loss over it, and it worked fine. Used warm water in spray bottle to get the wss off. - Hugs Yvonne

Karen, I remember stitching on velvet for a pillow - I didn't hoop it and pinned it securely - I used a WSS on the top - but mine was complete embroidered design - when it was finished stitching - I could just pull away the WSS - no pieces left - but I would be a bit careful - if it wasn't a dense design with the WSS - you wouldn't want to get it wet to remove it - as that would in fact make a mess. Good luck - hope to view your project soon.

1 comment

by kharriman 01 Dec 2009

I don't really know what I want to do quite yet. I have some leftover black(i think it's black or maybe green) velvet that I used to make a cape for a friend. I thought maybe some elvis designs or some redwork. Of course I have to get her permission to use it because she bought it.

Chris gave you the inside scoop, I'd just add WSS on top because it does sink the stitches in....problem is you have to be able to pick out EVERY tiny bit unless you have some of the heat removable topping. I haven't tried any of it yet, but it would be perfect for this application. I hoop the stabilizer and pin, pin, pin cause I don't want to have to search for basting down in the pile of the velvet.;)

2 comments

by pennifold 28 Nov 2009

Love your new Avatar! You look great - I wish these could be bigger. It's so difficult to see people's faces!

Love and blessings Chris

by kharriman 28 Nov 2009

Thank you jrob! *4U Chris, click on the username & go to the profile & it will be a bigger picture.

I know someone on here has done this and said they don't hoop the fabric as it "marks" it like a brand. I think they hoop the stabiliser and then place the velvet on top of the hoop with either tape or pins in the corner. Maybe even a basting stitch. Someone with more expertise will hopefully come along with the right way of doing this for you.

Love and blessings Chris

P.s. there is a tute on Secrets of Embroidery re velvet.

2 comments

by kharriman 28 Nov 2009

Thank you Chris *4U

by pennifold 28 Nov 2009

Like Jerrilyn says having the basting stitch maybe an issue. I haven't done velvet, but knowing it is a plush fabric this could be a problem. Pinning seems to be the best solution. Good luck.

Love and blessings Chris