FABRIC: Burlap is available in
many fabric stores -- we found ours near
the "utility fabrics" such as
Insul-Bright,
interfacing, and plain canvas. If you
have actual burlap sacks, feel free to
use those, too! Burlap in general is a
very rough, loosely woven fabric. If you
can find some on the finer, tighter side,
it will probably display embroidery
better than the coarse kind.
DESIGN: Solid, stitch-filled
designs will work best with burlap.
Avoid redwork or similar running-stitch
designs, and designs with thin areas of
stitching, as these will easily
"disappear" into burlap's very rough
weave.
Primitive and
country style designs work well with
the look, but let your imagination run
wild and try out all kinds of
possibilities!
NEEDLE: Use a 75/11 sharp
sewing needle to make sure the
design stitches out as neatly as
possible.
STABILIZER: Use a medium-weight cutaway stabilizer, attached
with temporary spray adhesive to the
back of your burlap fabric. This is
absolutely necessary because of burlap's
extremely coarse, loose weave. Depending
on how loosely woven your particular
fabric is, the stabilizer may show
through a bit. Be prepared for this and
plan ways to deal with it, such as
backing your project with a
light-colored fabric. Tear-away
stabilizer will not provide the
necessary support to keep the embroidery
looking nice. Also, use a
water-soluble topping such as Sulky
Solvy over the top of the fabric while
embroidering -- this will help keep the
stitches from "sinking in" to the fabric
and becoming less neat and visible.