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My First Embroidery Project: A Learning Experience I've been sewing for years, and recently, I decided to take my hobby to the next level by diving into machine embroidery. When I stumbled upon a Husqvarna Viking Designer Quartz 29 floor model at a steep discount, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Since bringing it home, I’ve been exploring its embroidery and quilting features—I just want to make all the things! Embarking on My First Embroidery Project Tonight, I finally tried out embroidery for the first time, and I’m thrilled with the results! I created an adorable little bookmark, and my boyfriend even named her Beatrice. The front turned out beautifully, but the back… not so much. Since the bookmark’s back is visible, I immediately noticed issues—uneven stitching and an overall messy appearance. I suspected tension problems, but tension has always been a tricky aspect of sewing for me. My Setup & Materials> I used all the original parts that came with my machine and layered my materials as follows: Cotton fabric Fusible interfacing (to prevent slipping) Medium-weight stabilizer (for added thickness) A second layer of cotton fabric for the back I ensured my fabric sandwich was as taut as possible in the hoop, but I made the mistake of cutting it a little smaller than I should have, leaving me with less excess to adjust the tension properly. Troubleshooting the Backside Appearance After seeking advice, I learned some key embroidery insights Bobbin thread should be 60wt white or black—unlike sewing, embroidery doesn’t use matching thread colors for the bobbin. The bobbin stitches should ideally be centered: 1/3 top thread, 1/3 bobbin, 1/3 top thread. he back of embroidery isn’t typically expected to be neat; instead, it’s often covered with fabric to hide any imperfections. For projects where the back will be seen, a useful trick is to wait until the last step to add the back fabric. Alternative Method to Cover the Back If I want to hide the back stitching, a simple method is: Complete all the embroidery except for the outline. Tape a piece of fabric onto the back of the hoop. Sew the outline to attach the back fabric. Cut around the edges for a clean finish. Additional Takeaways Never cut loose threads on the back—they’re tie-ins, and trimming them can unravel the front stitching. Painter’s tape seems to work better than masking tape for securing fabric on the back, as masking tape can bunch up. Hem tape is another option, but it’s more expensive. Moving Forward I plan to pick up the proper 60wt bobbin thread and apply these tips in my next embroidery project. While I’ll use the method of adding the back fabric at the final step for this bookmark, I’m eager to explore techniques that produce a neater back for future projects. Embroidery has its own unique challenges compared to sewing, but I’m loving the learning process! Have any tips for achieving a clean embroidery back? Let me know!

Best T-Shirt Brands and Types for Machine Embroidery (Plus the Right Stabilizers!) Machine embroidery on t-shirts can be a fun and creative way to customize your wardrobe, but getting the perfect stitch-out requires the right combination of fabric, stabilizer, and design. If you’ve ever struggled with puckering or stiff embroidery, don’t worry—you’re not alone! In this blog, we’ll explore the best t-shirts for embroidery, the stabilizers you should use, and some key techniques to ensure a flawless finish. Choosing the Best T-Shirt for Embroidery Not all t-shirts are created equal when it comes to embroidery. The stretch, weight, and fabric blend of the shirt play a huge role in how well your design stitches out. Here are some key considerations: Fabric Blend: A cotton/polyester blend is a great choice, as it provides a bit of stretch without being too flimsy. 100% cotton can work as well, but it may be more prone to shrinkage and puckering. Weight: Lightweight t-shirts can be tricky for embroidery, as they may not provide enough support for dense designs. A mid-weight or slightly heavier t-shirt works better. Stretch: T-shirts with too much horizontal stretch can cause warping or puckering. Look for a balanced stretch that doesn’t distort under tension. Recommended T-Shirt Brands for Machine Embroidery If you're looking for high-quality t-shirts that work well with embroidery, consider these brands: Bella+Canvas – Soft, durable, and available in various blends. Gildan Softstyle – A popular choice with a nice balance of weight and softness. Hanes Beefy-T – A heavyweight cotton option that holds embroidery well. Next Level Apparel – A great mix of quality and affordability. Matching Your Stabilizer to Your T-Shirt Choosing the right stabilizer is just as important as selecting the right t-shirt. Here’s a quick guide: Cutaway Stabilizer (Best for Knits) Ideal for t-shirts since they stretch. Provides long-term stability. Helps prevent distortion over time. No-Show Mesh Stabilizer A lightweight option that works well for thinner t-shirts. Less visible through light-colored fabrics. Can be layered for extra support. Tearaway Stabilizer (For Woven Fabrics Only) Not recommended for t-shirts, as it doesn’t provide enough stretch support. Iron-On Stabilizer Can help reduce puckering. Works best when paired with a cutaway stabilizer. Common Embroidery Issues and How to Fix Them Puckering Puckering happens when the fabric gathers around the stitches. Here’s how to prevent it: Ensure your stabilizer is strong enough for your design. Try using a double layer of no-show mesh with adhesive spray between layers. Lower the stitch density in your design—dense stitching on lightweight fabric can lead to puckering. Poor Hooping Improper hooping can cause misalignment or stretch marks in the fabric. Use a stabilizer strong enough to hold the fabric in place. Avoid over-tightening the hoop, which can stretch the fabric unevenly. Try floating the fabric (hooping only the stabilizer and using temporary adhesive to attach the shirt). Stiff Embroidery If your embroidery feels hard and unwearable: Lower the stitch density in the digitized design. Use a softer stabilizer like no-show mesh instead of heavy cutaway. Choose a more open design rather than a solid block of stitches. Testing and Adjustments If you’re struggling with a particular t-shirt, here are some things to try: Increase the amount of 505 adhesive spray to secure the stabilizer properly. Experiment with layering stabilizers to see what provides the best support. Run a test stitch on a scrap piece before embroidering the full design. Final Thoughts T-shirt embroidery is all about finding the right balance between fabric, stabilizer, and design. With a little testing and the right techniques, you can create professional-looking embroidered shirts that are comfortable to wear and long-lasting. Whether you're using Bella+Canvas, Gildan, or Next Level, remember that stabilization and digitization are just as important as the fabric itself. Happy stitching!