When I first started out trying to embroider onesies, I was having a very hard time getting my design centered on the onesie. It would often end of too far to one side. Then, I met a wonderful lady named Teresa. She’s an expert in all things embroidery. I was having an issue with one her designs I had purchased, so she took the time to teach me a few amazing tips about embroidery.
First thing she taught me, is don’t use embroidery needles, use regular sewing needles except with metallic thread, use metallic needles. (Please feel free to see my post on How to Embroider with Metallic Thread.) This tip worked wonders and also saved me money on being able to buy needles in bulk.
Next, she gave me tips on how to center the designs. This was life changing. My designs went from all over the place, to centered every time! First, start off with some sticky tear away or cut away stabilizer. I like to use Sulky Sticky Tear Away Stabilizer. Cut it slightly larger than your hoop. I like to use a rotary cutter whenever possible, saves the aches I get in my hands from using scissors too often.
Place the Sticky Stabilizer around the bottom of your hoop. I like to cut slits around the side and bottom pieces to give a snugger fit around the hoop. Find a piece of paper, thicker the better and line up the middle notches. Take a disappearing ink pen and mark a line down the center of the stabilizer. Please note, I used a regular pen this time, as I was in the middle of moving my sewing room and couldn’t find my disappearing ink pen. If you look closely at the photos, a little showed up on the dress bodice when I rinsed off the water soluble stabilizer, so please use the disappearing ink pen.
Now you should have a perfectly straight line down the middle of your hoop.
Next, we will work with the bodice, this can also be used with t-shirts or onesies. Take your bodice piece and fold it in half. Take your bodice to the ironing board and press the folded side to create a line.
Depending on the fabric used, keep the iron on a lower setting. I created a very visible line, so it was easier to see in pictures. The less line you make, the easier it is to iron out later. Now you should have a perfectly straight line down the middle of your bodice.
If your embroidery design has a placement stitch, run it now. Next, take the bodice to the hoop and match up the two lines; the line on the stabilizer and the line on the bodice. Please remember to leave room for seam allowances if you are sewing a piece together.
I was working with metallic thread, so I wanted my design to stand out more and not sink into the fabric, so I used a layer of water soluble stabilizer on top of my bodice as well. I usually use a thinner water soluble stabilizer, however being in the process of moving my sewing room, I didn’t look for it. Then, place the top piece of the hoop into place.
Now stitch your design!! Voila you are done!!! (If you used a water soluble stabilizer, wash it off now).
In my picture you can still seed the line down the middle of the bodice. You can get this out, by steaming the item or ironing it out. I was literally scrambling at the last minute to get this dress done, as usual, so I did not have enough time.
Supplies for this project:
- Embroidery Machine (I used the Brother SE400)
- Sticky Tear Away (or cut away) Stabilizer
- Disappearing Ink Pen
- Rotary Cutter
- Water Soluble Stabilizer (optional)
- Sewing Needles
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