Diving into machine embroidery for the first time as a beginner can be daunting. Between getting your first machine and searching online for the best prices on embroidery supplies, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Don’t worry, machine embroidery is easy to learn and we are here to help you figure out what supplies you need to get started.
Can’t wait to Search Online for The Lowest Cost Supplies…
First rule of thumb is to look for high quality supplies from a respectable supplier. Buying cheap thread, scissors, backing and low-cost bobbins can just cause you more headaches and cost you more money down the road, especially as a beginner. Embroidery has a lot of specialty supplies and you want to make sure what you are buying is geared towards machine embroidery and you want to buy from a supplier that will support you after your purchase.
I Need An Embroidery Machine…
Most people start out with a single needle home machine from one of the major brands like Brother, Baby Lock or Viking. These machines are great places to start and will help you develop the skills you need to create professional looking embroidery. One thing to consider when buying your first machine, besides cost, is how big of a design you want to embroider. Many of the lower-cost entry machines are limited in the size of the design they can stitch out, also known as the sewing field. Try looking for an embroidery machine with a minimum of a 5″ x 7″ sewing field. This is will be a good versatile first machine.
Stabilizer, the Foundation of Embroidery…
Embroidery stabilizer, also known as backing, provides the stabilization you need to embroider garments, especially stretchy ones. There are two main categories of embroidery backings, cut away and tear away. With a cut-away backing, when you are finished with your embroidery, you cut away whatever backing is left outside of your finished design. With tear away, you guessed it, you tear it away. Cutaway backing is inherently more stable and should be your go to stabilizer as a new embroiderer. Tear away can be used on items that you will easily see the back of to give it a neater appearance, such as towels and linens. Similar backings come in different weights, usually advertised as ounces per square yd. The heavier the backing, the more stability it usually provides. A good backing supplier will sell many different weights, types and sizes of stabilizer in both precut sheets and on rolls. As a beginner, it’s best to stock up on small rolls of several different backings until you figure out what works best for you.
Embroidery Thread, So Many Colors to Choose…
Cheap embroidery thread is usually just that – cheap embroidery thread. Using a high-quality thread, like Madeira, will ensure that your machine stitches correctly and trouble-free. Madeira thread is available in both polyester and rayon, but if you are just starting out and do not have a preference, we recommend poly. Grab yourself a physical color card with your first order, it will contain the actual thread swatches on the card and you will refer to this every time you purchase thread. Thread comes in both smaller 1,100 yd sizes and large 5,500 yd sizes. You will get about 200,000 stitches out of the small size and 1,000,000 stitches out of the cones. In order to use the larger cones with home machines, you may need to buy an external thread stand, as they will not fit directly on your machine.
Bobbins, the Bottom Thread…
You can buy bobbins already wound on cores or large cones of bobbin thread that you wind yourself. Pre-wound bobbins save time and are much easier to use than bobbins you wind at home. There are 3 common sizes of bobbins available for embroidery machines. From smallest to largest, they are Style L, Class 15 (Style A), & Jumbo M. Most home machines use either a Style L or Class 15. Most commercial machines use a Style L. Consult your user manual or ask your machine manufacturer if you are unsure.
Scissors…
There are many different types of specialty scissors used in machine embroidery. At the bare minimum, you will need a good pair of general use scissors to cut stabilizer and a pair of thread snips. Look for high-quality scissors and only use them for the intended purpose.
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Our final advice is to practice, practice, and practice again. Nobody became an expert embroiderer overnight. We were all beginners and we all made mistakes and so will you. While just learning, go through your closet and pick out all the different types of old clothes you no longer wear. Take one good design and start embroidering all over your clothing using different stabilizers and different techniques to you find what works best for you. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions. The greatest thing about the embroidery hobby is there are so many great people in it that are willing to help you. Join a Facebook group, like Machine Embroidery Help, and you will have thousands of instant embroidery friends eager to help you.