The base fabrics are rough cut to size about 3/4" larger than needed all around. Depending on the fabric, they are either fused with a cotton interfacing or spray glued to satin which has been fused. In these examples a cotton velvet was glued to an interfaced satin underlining.
The motif is drawn to size on the pattern in marker then traced onto the rough side of a sticky backed tearaway stabiliser. Instead of using the tearaway as a backing, it creates a topper and design guide for the stitching.
Here you can see the layers of fabrics with interfacing and the motif stuck on the velvet. Velvet has a napped surface and therefore a tendency for any applique to shift, so I have quickly basted the motif down.
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The motif is then satin stitched all around, filling in the design and covering up the tearaway topping. I have used two layers of a tearaway beneath as well, spray glued to the fabric. The glue helps since here is no hoop to hold things in place and the fabric gets a lot of turning. You need to be careful not to push or pull too much or the fabric will distort and pucker.
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Here you can see that the right side has been stitched twice, while the left has received a third run down the centre, which blends the stitches in. I use an Omnisew machine, which is an industrial zig zag head that has been adjusted to do a compact satin stitch. The width can go up to 13mm. I have used about a 7 or 8mm width, so achievable on many domestic machines. I used about a 4 on the gold stitching below. The stitches will sink into a napped fabric to some degree, so you need a slightly wider stitch than you might think.
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This is the first time I have used the sticky stabiliser by itself. I usually use a satin applique and fill over it completely. I haven't done much of this for a while, but when I am in practise, the motifs really turn out well and makes it hard to rationalise the time and expense of buying and learning digitising.
Doesn't stop me from turning green with envy when I see the embroidery work done on those machines though.
7 comments:
Beautiful, MaryPat! I've done a little satin stitching, but nothing like yours, and certainly nothing like your perfect results! Thanks for the information. I think it's so generous of you to share all your hard-earned knowledge.
wonderful tutorial! You make it sound so easy. I'm going to have to try this one day. Beautiful work!
laura
Wow,I didn`t know one could do such a wonderful embroidery with a "regular" machine!!! Thanks a lot for this information and how-to, very helpfull.
Great technique. Thanks.
This is truly gorgeous, Mary Pat. I have printed, saved, and added this tutorial to my favorites. Do you think I'll lose this info. when I'm ready to try? I certainly hope not. Thanks so much for taking the time to share this info. with the rest of us; the results are dynamic. You are truly an artist with so much ability in all areas of the sewing craft. Thanks again for this tutorial.
Karen
Your work is fabulous. I would not have thought this was possible on an regular machine!
Wow!!! That is stunning! I really love the satin stitching. It makes the whole thing.
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