Sewing, embroidery, and serging tips and tricks for beginners that will help teach you to sew, embroider, and serge.
I avoided using metallic embroidery thread as a beginner because I had heard so many horror stories from other machine embroiderers. But over time, the lure of being able to add a gorgeous sparkle to my embroidery designs encouraged me to give them a try. The outcome was awesome! The going wasn’t easy at first,…
Oh, those pesky threads that show up between parts of an embroidery design! These embroidery jump stitches as they’re commonly called can be the bane of a beginning embroiderer’s existence. I remember when I first got my embroidery machine and was trying to figure out how to remove jump stitches between letters of a word…
If you’ve decided not to hoop fabric based on the fabric or your preference, one way to secure your project outside the hoop is by using a basting box. Using an embroidery basting stitch was something I initially shied away from when first learning how to machine embroider. I disliked the extra work of later…
Monograms are one of my favorite things to embroider! Want a personalized gift? Add a monogram! Want to keep a child from losing a lunchbox at school? Embroider a monogram! Monogrammed and embroidered items are also “in” right now. So, how do you make a customized monogram embroidery design to use? One way is using…
If you’re new to embroidery and looking for software to edit embroidery designs, you’ve probably heard of SewWhat-Pro. It’s been around for quite some time and has made a name for itself as an entry-level embroidery editing software. It’s affordably priced and rivals its competitors in functionality. Choosing embroidery software can be VERY confusing to…
One problem with embroidering on fabric with lots of fluff (more technically known as nap, pile, or loft) is the stitching can sink into the fluff of the fabric and get lost. While changing the design’s stitch density or size or even the thread weight used when stitching can help with visibility, one of the…
If you’ve never used freezer paper when sewing, you’re in for a real treat! When I discovered all of the crafty uses of freezer paper, I was so excited to try them out. For instance, freezer paper can be printed on, used for tracing patterns, and ironed onto fabric. It even has a place in…
Learning how to use an embroidery machine can be daunting for beginners! The manual included with my first embroidery machine left a lot to be desired. It taught me how to use the machine features rather than how to succeed at learning to machine embroider. Many of my first projects were failures because I didn’t…
While I’m a fan of hooping fabrics to be machine embroidered whenever possible, there are several circumstances when it’s just not feasible. For instance, thick fabrics and bulky towels are simply too thick for an embroidery hoop. Furthermore, fabrics that are too delicate to be hooped without damage, items smaller than the hoop’s size, and…
If you’re new to embroidery, one of the fun things you can do with an embroidery machine is applique. For beginners, appliqueing can seem like a confusing task with all the steps required. However, once you understand how appliques are created and stitched, you’ll discover how easy, fast, and fun they can be to create. …
There are so many machine embroidery threads available that you may not know where to start as a beginner! I, too, had many questions when I first started embroidering. For instance, what is the best embroidery machine thread? What thread goes in the bobbin? What material and weight of thread do I use? There were…
How do you choose the best machine embroidery needle for your project? By considering the fabric weave and density, stabilizer type, and even thread selection, you can choose a needle that will help you stitch gorgeous embroidery designs. So, why is the right needle important? Because it’s just as important as choosing the right embroidery…
Whether you’re new to sewing or an experienced sewist no longer blessed with perfect near vision, I want to share my best tips for how to thread a sewing machine needle easily. While I have automatic needle threaders on all my sewing machines, the threaders don’t work when threading a twin needle, and my serger…
Learning how to hoop fabric correctly when machine embroidering is one of the most important aspects of ensuring professional results. Unfortunately, it’s one of the things that embroidery machine user manuals don’t do justice! And, it’s something that many new embroidery enthusiasts don’t master until they’ve messed up several projects thanks to improper hooping. Hooping…
Choosing an appropriate machine embroidery stabilizer is one of the most confusing aspects of machine embroidery. When I first got started embroidering, I thought I could just put tear-away stabilizer on the back of all projects and have things turn out perfectly. While this admittedly worked for more than it probably should have, I soon…
I am ashamed to admit that after unboxing my first serger many years ago, I threaded it with 30-year-old unbranded thread my mom gifted me when her largely-unused serger broke. I was on a budget after my serger splurge purchase, and this seemed like a great option. Well, it turns out, using old thread isn’t…
When you first start sewing, you may only know how to sew in a straight line. Did you know you can sew corners easily, too? This beginner sewing tutorial will teach you how to sew corners with a sewing machine. After you learn this skill, the new sewing projects you’ll be able to tackle will…
If you’ve ever stitched through a piece of braided elastic and wondered why your elastic no longer contracted afterward, then this article is for you. Since elastics are not interchangeable, knowing the different types of elastic for sewing and how to choose the right elastic for your project makes a huge difference in the final…
One of my new favorite presser feet is the fringe foot. Also known as a looper foot or tacking foot, it’s so fun to use to make 3D loops on your fabric or to add a thread fringe. It’s even helpful as a tailor tack. Want to learn more? Let’s talk about how to use…
Do I need a serger? I asked myself this question for years before finally deciding, yes, I did need a serger. Considering the cost of the serger and supplies and the space required for storage and use, this wasn’t a decision I came upon lightly. And now, I love my Brother 1034D serger and don’t…
Doll clothes are quick to sew and a great place for beginners to start sewing! They don’t require much fabric, a big plus if you make a mistake, and they make a cute and satisfying finished product. While there is a learning curve to making doll clothes, here are some tips for how to sew…
One of my favorite parts of making doll clothes is picking the fabric! Often, a beautiful or quirky print I find while browsing can inspire a new doll outfit. Or, a new pattern can bring to mind the perfect fabric from my stash. And then, voila! My daughters get new outfits for their dolls. Picking…
Buying your first sewing may seem like a daunting task. How are you supposed to choose a sewing machine when you know nothing about sewing machines? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there at some point! I’ve written this beginner’s guide on how to choose the right sewing machine so you’ll know what…
When I first bought my serger, I wasn’t sure what other basic serger supplies I would need to go with it. I knew what was included in the box, but what other supplies were important when learning to serge? If you’re new to serging and just purchased your first serger, I’ll give you a breakdown…
There are many occasions when you’ll need to change your sewing machine needle. I change my needle daily when switching fabric types and at least weekly when I’m working on new projects. If you’re a beginner, knowing how to put a needle in a sewing machine is one of the first skills to master after…
Let’s start by saying I am SO spoiled by the automatic thread cutter on my sewing and embroidery machine. I don’t know how I lived without it! Before I had a machine with an automatic thread cutter, I owned a machine with at least a thread cutter built into the side of the machine. Recently,…
When I first started sewing, I used the same type and size of needle for MONTHS. The pack of needles came with my machine, so I thought they worked for every project. I only changed my needle when it broke or bent, and I sure didn’t consider my fabric or thread type before I started…
If you’re looking for how to thread a Singer heavy-duty sewing machine, I’ll teach you how with my Singer 4423 heavy-duty sewing machine as an example. Most Singer heavy-duty sewing machines will be threaded in an identical (or very similar) way, so you should be able to thread your own machine at the end of…
Learning how to thread a Singer sewing machine can be complicated, especially if you’re a beginner. While you can find Singer sewing machine threading instructions in the machine’s instruction manual, quick-start guide, or even on the sewing machine body, diagrams are sometimes confusing. Plus, it’s often easier to learn from pictures of an actual sewing…
Before using your new embroidery machine, you’ll need to purchase basic embroidery supplies such as stabilizer, embroidery thread, and embroidery needles. However, beginners might not know where to start when determining the rest of the must-have machine embroidery supplies. I know I was a little confused at first! So, for newbies, let’s talk about what…